Music of the Harry Potter films

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John Williams, composer of the first three films and creator of "Hedwig's Theme". John Williams tux.jpg
John Williams, composer of the first three films and creator of "Hedwig's Theme".

The music of the Harry Potter film series was recorded and released in conjunction with the post-production and releases of each of the eight corresponding films. The scores were composed by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexandre Desplat. Though Williams only scored the first three films, several motifs that he created have been reprised and incorporated into the remaining scores, in particular "Hedwig's Theme", which can be heard in all eight films. Other musicians credited with writing source music include Jarvis Cocker, The Ordinary Boys, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Jeremy Soule and James Hannigan wrote the music for the Harry Potter video games.

Contents

Overview

YearTitleComposerConductorOrchestratorOrchestra
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone John Williams John Williams John Williams
Conrad Pope
Alexander Courage
John Neufeld
Eddie Karam
Pete Anthony
Larry Rench
London Symphony Orchestra
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets William Ross
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban John Williams
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Patrick Doyle James Shearman Patrick Doyle
James Shearman
Lawrence Ashmore
John Bell
James McWilliam
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Nicholas Hooper Alastair King Alastair King
Simon Whiteside
Geoff Alexander
Julian Kershaw
Bradley Miles
Chamber Orchestra of London [1]
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Nicholas Hooper
Alastair King
Alastair King
Jeff Atmajian
Simon Whiteside
Daryl Griffith
Bradley Farmer
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Alexandre Desplat Alexandre Desplat
Conrad Pope
Jean-Pascal Beintus
Clifford Tasner
Richard Stewart
Nan Schwartz
Alejandro de la Llosa
London Symphony Orchestra
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Alexandre Desplat
Conrad Pope
Jean-Pascal Beintus
Clifford Tasner
Bill Newlin
Nan Schwartz
Alejandro de la Llosa

Themes and motifs

Throughout the series, each composer created themes for particular characters, items, locations, and ideas. Several themes can be heard in films subsequent to the one they were written for, although very few lasted for the entire film series.

First appearance in The Philosopher's Stone

ThemeDescriptionScores heard in
Hedwig's Theme [2] The dominant theme closely identified with and prominently used in all eight Harry Potter films. Though titled "Hedwig's Theme", it does not always specifically represent Hedwig, but rather the wider idea of magic and the Wizarding World franchise. Its concert suite is frequently performed by musicians and ensembles.The Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Family PortraitRepresents Harry's parents and his new family in Hogwarts.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Tracked)
Harry's Wondrous WorldAssociated with Harry and his friendships with Ron and Hermione.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Half-Blood Prince (recording sessions only) and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Tracked)
Nimbus 2000Associated with the Nimbus 2000, flying, and mischief.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Voldemort's ThemeA two-part theme associated with the main antagonist, Lord VoldemortThe Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Philosopher's StoneAssociated with the Philosopher's Stone and used to represent Voldemort in The Chamber of Secrets.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Diagon AlleyRepresents Diagon Alley as a setting.The Philosopher's Stone (album only) and The Chamber of Secrets
Hogwarts ForeverA thematic representation of HogwartsThe Philosopher's Stone
Quidditch FanfareRepresents the commencement of quidditch matches.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Christmas at HogwartsAssociated with the arrival of winter and Christmas.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Dark ForestRepresents the Dark Forest as a setting.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Flying KeysRepresents flying magical objects and creatures; such as the flying keys in the first film, and Cornish Pixies and the bludger in the second film.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Banquet FanfareMusic used during banquet scenes.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Great Hall FanfareTheme associated with the discovery of the amazing wizarding world. Used for the discoveries of Diagon Alley (in the movie), Hogwarts and the Great Hall (and during the sorting of Hermione).The Philosopher's Stone
Ron Weasley's MotifWhimsical theme used to represent the lightness of Ron.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Weasley's FamilyComical theme heard during family scenes, notably the train station scenes.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Comical ThemeUsed for Hagrid's dragon and Ron's eat slugs curse.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Revelation ThemeUsed with the first appearance of the Chessboard Chamber and the Chamber of Secrets. First heard when Filch and Snape discover that someone was in the restricted library in the first movie.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Sneaking Around ThemeHeard with the first appearance of Dumbledore out of the mist; the Golden Trio visiting Hagrid in the middle of the night; the approach of the flying car; and Harry finding Nearly Headless Nick & Justin Finch-Fletchley petrified.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Dursley's ThemeComical theme associated with the Dursleys.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Ghosts' MotifMusic heard when the ghosts appear. Also used in Moaning Myrtle's theme.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Invisibility Cloak ThemeAssociated with the cloak during its use in the first two films. Also used when Harry is writing to Tom Riddle in the diary, and when Tom starts explaining to Harry the strange events that happened during school year in the second film. Heard very briefly in the third film when Harry puts on the cloak in the Honeydukes cellar.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Fluffy's HarpMusic played by the harp in the first film, which was the instrument used to put Fluffy to sleep.The Philosopher's Stone
Leaving HogwartsMusic played when Harry gets on the train.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2

First appearance in The Chamber of Secrets

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
Fawkes the PhoenixAssociated with Dumbledore's pet Phoenix.The Chamber of Secrets
Gilderoy LockhartRepresents Flourish & Blotts and the eponymous professor.The Chamber of Secrets
Dobby's ThemeRepresents Dobby the House Elf.The Chamber of Secrets
The Chamber of SecretsAssociated with the Chamber of Secrets as a setting.The Chamber of Secrets
Moaning MyrtleAssociated with Moaning Myrtle.The Chamber of Secrets
The Flying CarRepresents the enchanted car used by the protagonists.The Chamber of Secrets
Spider's ThemeEight notes theme (one for each leg) associated with Aragog's spiders. A similar theme is heard in Munich (2005), which Williams was already scheduled for and had potentially started to develop.The Chamber of Secrets
Lucius Malfoy's ThemeConspiracy theme associated with Malfoy. It is based on a similar theme heard in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones .The Chamber of Secrets
Errol the OwlAssociated with the pet owl of the Weasley family.The Chamber of Secrets
Basilisk Duel MotifAssociated with Harry's battle with the Basilisk in the Chamber of SecretsThe Chamber of Secrets

First appearance in The Prisoner of Azkaban

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
Double TroubleWorks as the main thematic identity for the third score, also used in a source cue.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Sirius Black's Theme3-note motif that represents Sirius Black as a villainous character.The Prisoner of Azkaban
A Window to the PastAssociated with characters that have connections to Harry's parents.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Buckbeak's FlightRepresents Buckbeak while flying. Also used when Harry and Hermione rescue Sirius Black.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Quidditch MotifSecondary theme used to represent Quidditch. Reprised by Nicholas Hooper in The Half-Blood Prince during Ron's Quidditch tryout.The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince
Patronus ThemeAssociated with the Patronus Charm.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Marauders' MotifAssociated with Sirius Black in animal form, Remus Lupin in werewolf form, and the Marauders' Map itself. Much like Peter Pettigrew's Theme, it uses primarily chromatic neighbours.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Betrayal ThemeRepresents Harry's emotional response upon learning his parents were betrayed and Lupin's resignation.The Prisoner of Azkaban
Peter Pettigrew's ThemeRepresents Peter Pettigrew. A similar theme is heard in Munich (2005), which Williams was working on concurrently.The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Order of the Phoenix (recording sessions only) [3] and The Half-Blood Prince [4]

First appearance in The Goblet of Fire

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
Voldemort's ThemeNew thematic identity for Lord Voldemort.The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix [5]
Harry's ThemeNew thematic identity for Harry. Its concert suite is entitled "Harry in Winter".The Goblet of Fire
Hogwarts' HymnNew thematic identity for Hogwarts.The Goblet of Fire
Durmstrang ThemeThematic identity for Viktor Krum and Durmstrang. Also used for the Bulgarian Quidditch team.The Goblet of Fire
Beauxbatons ThemeThematic identity for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.The Goblet of Fire
Moaning Myrtle's ThemeNew theme for Moaning Myrtle. Uses similar orchestration to Williams's original theme for the same character.The Goblet of Fire
Merpeople's ThemeAssociated with the Merpeople and the Second Task. First heard when Harry opens the golden egg underwater, and again when he is competing in the task.The Goblet of Fire

First appearance in The Order of the Phoenix

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
Professor Umbridge's ThemeRepresents Hogwarts Professor Dolores Umbridge.The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Possession ThemeAssociated with Voldemort and his attempt to possess Harry.The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes ThemeAssociated with the antics of Fred and George Weasley.The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Dumbledore's Army ThemeRepresents Dumbledore's Army and the bonding of friends.The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince (tracked)
Kiss ThemeRepresents Harry's love and later his friendship.The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Ministry of Magic ThemeRepresents the Ministry of Magic. Bears similarities in orchestration to Alexandre Desplat's theme for the Ministry in The Deathly Hallows – Part 1.The Order of the Phoenix

First appearance in The Half-Blood Prince

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
"In Noctem" ThemeRepresents Albus Dumbledore.The Half-Blood Prince
Death Eater ThemeRhythmic ostinato for Voldemort's Death Eaters.The Half-Blood Prince
Malfoy's ThemeRepresents Draco Malfoy and his mission.The Half-Blood Prince
Slughorn's ThemeAssociated with Professor Slughorn.The Half-Blood Prince
Harry and Hermione ThemeRepresents Harry's friendship with Hermione.The Half-Blood Prince
Ginny's ThemeNew romance theme. Used specifically in reference to Ginny.The Half-Blood Prince
Dumbledore's Farewell ThemeAssociated with the death of Albus Dumbledore. Also used by Alexandre Desplat in the score for Snape's memories in The Deathly Hallows – Part 2.The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (tracked)

First appearance in The Deathly Hallows – Part 1

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
ObliviateRepresents the loss of innocence of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Main identity for the movie.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Band of Brothers Theme (Friends Theme)In The Deathly Hallows – Part 1, it represents the Order of the Phoenix. In The Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the theme is associated specifically with Neville. Also used as a theme for Ginny and Harry.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Voldemort's ThemeNew thematic identity for Lord Voldemort.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Death EatersOstinato motif representing the Death Eaters. Often played in counterpoint with Voldemort's theme.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Dumbledore ThemeNew thematic identity for Dumbledore and his family.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Tracked)
Horcruxes ThemeAssociated with Voldemort's horcruxes. This theme is first used for the locket in Part 1.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Ron's Theme or Love ThemeTheme associated with Ron and obviously as a love theme for him and Hermione. It can be heard in Ron Leaves, Ron's Speech and at the end of Hermione's Parents when Ron returns in Part 1. It is reused in Part 2 during the kiss and when Hermione and Ron search for Harry during the battle (not used).The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hermione's ThemeSweet Theme associated with Hermione. This theme can be heard prominently in the first part of Hermione's Parents and at the end of The Dumbledores. It is used again during the torture scene with Bellatrix. In the Demos of the soundtrack this theme can also be heard in the track Traveling Montage when Harry and Hermione disappear after the departure of Ron (but this track is not in the final soundtrack or movie).The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Deathly HallowsRepresents the Deathly Hallows as objects.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Dobby's ThemeNew thematic identity for Dobby.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Lovegood's ThemeRepresents Xenophilius Lovegood, and is often in counterpoint with the "Deathly Hallows" theme. Only heard in the credits.The Deathly Hallows – Part 1

First appearance in The Deathly Hallows – Part 2

ThemeDescriptionScores Heard in
Lily's ThemeAssociated with the memory of Harry's mother.The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
StatuesRepresents the Battle of Hogwarts.The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
BattlefieldSecondary theme for the Battle of Hogwarts.The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Severus and LilyRepresents Snape's love for Harry's mother.The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Resurrection ThemeRepresents the Resurrection Stone and life.The Deathly Hallows – Part 2

Related Research Articles

A leitmotif or Leitmotiv is a "short, recurring musical phrase" associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical concepts of idée fixe or motto-theme. The spelling leitmotif is an anglicization of the German Leitmotiv, literally meaning "leading motif", or "guiding motif". A musical motif has been defined as a "short musical idea ... melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic, or all three", a salient recurring figure, musical fragment or succession of notes that has some special importance in or is characteristic of a composition: "the smallest structural unit possessing thematic identity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Williams</span> American composer and conductor (born 1932)

John Towner Williams is an American composer and conductor. In a career that has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinema history. He has a very distinct sound that mixes romanticism, impressionism and atonal music with complex orchestration. He is most known for his collaborations with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and has received numerous accolades including 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. With 54 Academy Award nominations, he is the second-most nominated person, after Walt Disney, and is the oldest Oscar nominee in any category, at 91 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Film score</span> Original music written specifically to accompany a film, part of the films soundtrack

A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental, or choral pieces called cues, which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to enhance the dramatic narrative and the emotional impact of the scene in question. Scores are written by one or more composers under the guidance of or in collaboration with the film's director or producer and are then most often performed by an ensemble of musicians – usually including an orchestra or band, instrumental soloists, and choir or vocalists – known as playback singers – and recorded by a sound engineer. The term is less frequently applied to music written for media such as live theatre, television and radio programs, and video games, and said music is typically referred to as either the soundtrack or incidental music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Hannigan</span> British composer

James Hannigan is a British composer with credits in the Harry Potter, Command & Conquer, Dead Space, Warhammer, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, RuneScape, Evil Genius, EA Sports and Theme Park video game series, and titles including Freelancer, Privateer 2: The Darkening, Space Hulk and others. Hannigan's other music credits include scores for Audible's adaptations of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, Discworld, the Audie Award winning Alien dramas directed by Dirk Maggs (2016–2019), Unseen Academicals and BBC Radio 4's adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens and Neverwhere. His music is heard in numerous television shows, such as the BBC's Top Gear, Amazon's The Grand Tour, Disney's The World According to Jeff Goldblum, BBC America's Primeval and others.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a 2007 fantasy film directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Michael Goldenberg, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) and the fifth instalment in the Harry Potter film series. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry's best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Its story follows Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the Ministry of Magic is in denial of Lord Voldemort's return.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score for the 2004 film of the same name, the third and final score in the series to be composed and conducted by John Williams. The soundtrack was performed at Abbey Road Studios in London with session musicians, with the London Voices and the London Oratory School Schola providing vocal performances. The score was orchestrated by Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam. The soundtrack is a significant departure from the previous two, since the director, Alfonso Cuarón, wanted the music to take a different approach. It introduced three major themes: "Window to the Past", "Double Trouble", and "Buckbeak's Flight". Other repeating new motifs were composed for the Time-Turner, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black's hunt for Harry. It was released on 25 May 2004 and charted at No. 68 on the Billboard 200 and also charted at No. 3 on the Top Soundtracks Chart.

<i>Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone</i> (soundtrack) 2001 soundtrack album by John Williams

The soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released on 30 October 2001. The film's score was composed and conducted by John Williams. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Original Score at the 74th Academy Awards. The film introduces many character-specific themes (leitmotifs) that are used in at least one sequel as well, although most of the themes are only used again in Chamber of Secrets. These themes include two themes for Voldemort, two themes for Hogwarts, a Diagon Alley theme, a Quidditch theme, a flying theme, two friendship themes, and the main theme. This main theme was reprised and developed in all eight of the main Harry Potter films, as well as the spinoff films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequels, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

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Harry Potter is a film series based on the eponymous novels by British author J. K. Rowling. The series is produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and consists of eight fantasy films, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). A spin-off prequel series started with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), marking the beginning of the Wizarding World shared media franchise.

<i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i> (soundtrack) 2007 film score by Nicholas Hooper

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 film of the same name, based on the book by J. K. Rowling. Nicholas Hooper composed the film's score, following John Williams, who scored the first three films, and Patrick Doyle, who did the fourth. Though new to the series, Hooper had worked with director David Yates before. The soundtrack was released 10 July 2007, the day before the film's release.

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<i>Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince</i> (soundtrack) 2009 film score by Nicholas Hooper

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<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1</i> (soundtrack) 2010 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 is a motion picture soundtrack to the 2010 film of the same name, composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat. The soundtrack was nominated for the 2010 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy Film and the 2010 Satellite Award for Best Original Score.

<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is a motion picture soundtrack to the 2011 film of the same name composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat. The soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy Award, Satellite Award, Houston Film Critics Society Award, Denver Film Critics Society Award, and an IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy Film. The soundtrack won the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Score.

<i>Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</i> (soundtrack) 2016 film score by James Newton Howard

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2016 film of the same name, composed by James Newton Howard. A limited edition vinyl was first released on 4 November 2016. The soundtrack was later released in both digital and physical formats on 18 November 2016 by WaterTower Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizarding World</span> Shared fictional universe

The Wizarding World is a fantasy media franchise and shared fictional universe centred on the Harry Potter novel series by J. K. Rowling. A series of films have been in production since 2000, and in that time eleven films have been produced—eight are adaptations of the Harry Potter novels and three are part of the Fantastic Beasts series. The films are owned and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The series has collectively grossed over $9.6 billion at the global box office, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

<i>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts</i> 2022 television special

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is a television special released on 1 January 2022 on HBO Max. It is a reunion special for the cast and crew of the Harry Potter film series, marking the twentieth anniversary of the series' first instalment, The Philosopher's Stone. It was produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon and executive produced by Casey Patterson.

"Hedwig's Theme" is an orchestral piece composed by John Williams. It serves as the main theme tune for the Harry Potter film series, based on the series of popular fantasy novels of the same name by author J. K. Rowling. The theme first appears in the opening credits of The Philosopher's Stone in the "Prologue" track, a shortened version of the full five-minute theme, which is not featured entirely until the closing credits. The theme's title is named for Harry Potter's pet owl, Hedwig.

References

  1. Carlsson, Mikael (). "Hooper writes new themes for Potter" (PDF). Film Music Weekly (14). p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2007., Mikael (8 May 2007). "Hooper writes new themes for Potter" (PDF). Film Music Weekly. No. 14. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2007.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. Williams, John, Composers Commentary on The Harry Potter Suite by John Williams and the Boston Pops, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 7 January 2019
  3. "McGonagall & Umbridge". Youtube.com. pp. 16 seconds. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
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