Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Suite for Orchestra IV. “Harryʻs Wondrous World” American composer John Williams (b. 1932) is considered to be one of the greatest film composers of all time. His most notable works are scores for the films Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E. T., Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones series, the first three Harry Potter films, and Jurassic Park. Williams also composed works for four Olympic Games and several television shows. He served as principal conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra from 1980 to 1993. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the first in the Harry Potter film series, based on J. K. Rowling’s books of the same titles. Harry completes his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and keeps the sorcerer’s stone out of Voldemort’s possession. “Harry’s Wondrous World” sends Harry back home for the summer and recaps earlier themes from the film. Listen for: • Hedwigʻs theme fragment (Hedwig is Harry’s owl)
• the main theme of warm friendship as Harry and friends separate for the summer • a feeling of accomplishment at the end of Year 1 at Hogwarts • other themes from the film
1812 Overture The story of the Battle of Borodino is told through music! The 1812 Overture was written by Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) in 1880 to commemorate Russia’s defense of Moscow against Napoleon's invading army in 1812. In his 1891 visit to the United States, Tchaikovsky conducted the overture at the dedication of Carnegie Hall in New York. Although this piece is not connected to the history of the United States, it is often played at Fourth of July celebrations, where live fireworks and real cannons firing blanks complement the rousing finale. Listen for: • an opening hymn by the lower strings, “God, Preserve Thy People” • impending doom and cries for help
• Russian soldiers coming to the rescue
• the arrival of the French soldiers (French national anthem, La Marseillaise) • a light folk dance “At My Gate”
• the battle between the French and Russians (Battle of Borodino) • five cannon shots, played by the bass drum
• series of descending notes, indicating the retreat of the French army
• church bells ringing and fireworks booming, in celebration of Russian victory • Russian national anthem, “God Save the Czar,” played by the low brass
2019 Winter Concert Series YOUTH SYMPHONY I ❅ December 1 | 17