Year: 2001
Type: Gamerip
Composer(s): Jeremy Soule
Number of tracks: 18 / 38

★★★★★

"Love, Harry"

Today, I'm taking you back to a time when people still bought game adaptations of their favorite franchises without a second thought. When you played through a game several times, not for any achievements, loot boxes or high scores, but because you simply had nothing else. When bugs and gamebreakers were still accepted as part of the experience because you simply didn't know that someone had messed up the code at the other end. And to a time when games weren't ported one-to-one from one system to another, which is why the packaging showed gameplay scenes that weren't in the version you were playing. Yes, Hagrid, who never dared to enter the castle in the PC version as promised in the screenshot, I was talking about you! So even back then, the young buyer learned the hard way that in the end, only the inner values count. And that Electronic Arts likes to take the piss out of its players. In short: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone from 2001.

It had everything I could wish for at the time: A Hogwarts I could explore freely, wizarding lessons followed by an exam, Quidditch games, the familiar characters (even Peeves) and a dramatic boss fight that had me on the edge of my motoric skills at the time. It was perfect. Until the sequel came along and somehow made everything better. And its sequel, which somehow did everything differently, which was still cool. And then came The Goblet of Fire and the series was put to rest in my book. What a shame! Back to the clever rubble, back The Philosopher's Stone, the cornerstone of video game world of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (2003)

Today, the game is only likely to appeal to young Potter fans or those who are young at heart, as they are not expecting a game based on the virtual images of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, but one based on the book. Which is why the wizard trading cards, Bertie Bott's beans in all flavors and even student terror Peeves play a major role. At least in the PC version that I played at the time. As already mentioned, a separate game was programmed for pretty much every system at the time, with some drastic differences. I can't really say which version is better in what way. And since I also enjoyed playing the really horrible PC version of Spider-Man 2 back then, I wouldn't give much credence to this judgment anyway.

What you can certainly do believe is that the soundtrack is one of the best, if not the best, score for a game adaptation. It's composed by the American composer Jeremy Soule, who, to me, is something like the Hans Zimmer of video game composers. Because when I started my music collection back then, I noticed that I had actually encountered the American a few times already, and I associated many of his tracks with my favorite gaming memories: Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Supreme Commander – all from the same person. Without knowing, I had become a fan. And this time I can't blame it on nostalgic bias because the man still produces great music today that I can enjoy even without the accompanying game. However, there is a thematic recognizability or, to put it harshly, a pattern of Soule's handwriting - which is completely okay because it sounds superb. And he's not the only one who's creative works can be labeled. But now to the Harry Potter-score.

As with Knights of the Old Republic in 2003, composer Jeremy Soule did not use pieces from movie's OST released in the same year, but created his own musical interpretation of the wizarding world, detached from John Williams' equally brilliant creation. It should be noted here that the game comes from a time before official soundtracks, so there is no official, cohesive score. Furthermore, the different versions complicate matters even more because Track X does not appear in Version Y. As a result, I didn't know some of the songs from the gamerip from my gaming experience, while others I did know because they were used in the sequels. But enough preamble, let's get to the soundtrack.

The quality of Soule's work is evident right from the start of the game with the grandiose theme song, which with its build-up of glockenspiel and vocals leading to a chorus of screamingly melodic strings, lingers a bit playfully before erupting from the brass section. We are immersed in the world of Harry Potter, this magical mystical place where so much seems possible, where children learn that they possess supernatural abilities. But we are also still in a children's book. The loudness subsides and softly, almost thoughtfully, the glockenspiel sounds again before rising again and summoning the majestic Hogwarts before our mind's eye, led by fanfares. Then the theme fades out, and while the dark undertones remain on the screen, the message is clear: Welcome.

This auditory introduction continues as the narrator's voice rushes us through the first chapters of the book until finally - in the PC version - we are greeted directly in Hogwarts by Professor Dumbledore. During this nicely drawn animation, Story Bookplays in the background, a track that swings playfully between mystical, oppressive, playful, hopeful, and sad with its blend of glockenspiel, flute, and strings. It leads into the world of the little boy who is freed from the gray dreariness of his heavy childhood under the tyranny of his uncle and aunt, into the enchanting world of magic. Ah, how nostalgia grabs me.

Next, we hear Hogwarts Happy, the theme that will accompany us as we explore the wizarding school. A fundamentally cheerful blend of grandeur and coziness - it is here where we are safe, nothing can happen to us here. But the theme is to accompany us further: In this game in Hogwarts Neutral, a more subdued version, and briefly in A Firefly as an even more positive version with glockenspiel and vocals. Additionally, we will meet the theme once more in the sequels. There, among other things, transposed to a minor key when we roam Hogwarts at night or something bad happens (the Chamber of Secrets was opened, cough).

This playful exploration theme is seamlessly followed by Phoenix an almost polka-like track that represents the musical equivalent of the appearance of the mischievous court jester and inevitably makes me think of the ugly gnomes that you have to stun first and then toss into a hole. In this chain of associations, Phoenix is not entirely dissimilar to the track Court Jesters from Final Fantasy IX , which I also like very much due to its similarly playful character.

Crabbe and Goyle is in the same vein coming across almost childish, thus rightfully receiving the label 'age-appropriate' like no other track. A bit more determined and less playful is Flipendo – The Bridge. With its dominant strings, whose simple melody is repeatedly complemented, this track drives us through the halls and corridors almost like a mother calling us to lunch.

Before we get to the highlight of the score, there are a few more notable themes: Firstly, the pompous Quidditch Anthem, which, not uncommon for its film cousin, blasts with fanfares for the game, although I prefer John Williams' motif here. Well, when comparing the production aka means, these two are worlds appart, but when listening to the results it becomes evident, that this doesn't have to mean anything. Secondly, the wonderful Fireseeds, which almost reverently orchestrates the walk over a meadow or through a summery forest and brings back memories of carefree childhood days.

We continue with the combat tracks, which much more closely adhere to Soule's standard formula and cannot deny their relationship to his early compositions like Kotor, Neverwinter Nights and The Elder Scrolls nicht verleugnen können. Willow Boss Level 1 schlägt mit seinen dominanten Bläsern und dem Jaws-Takt exakt in diese Kerbe. Und auch Peeves Chase kann trotz seiner etwas quirkigen Art die eigenen Ursprünge nicht leugnen. Remember All Chase ist indes eine aktionsgeladene Variation des Main Themes, nähert sich in dieser Form aber stark beispielsweise Rakghoul Attack from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – nothing bad per se, but it somewhat diminishes the magical appeal.

Nach so viel Vorrede und tollen Gegenbeispielen ist es fast schon bezeichnend, dass mein Lieblingstrack aus dem Score wohl Malfoy Fight darstellt. Für mich als Fan der brachialen Töne kombiniert dieser Track meisterlich das Zauberhafte dieses Spiels mit der Action. Dieser unmelodiöse Einstieg mit den wiederkehrenden ab- und dann aufsteigenden Bläsern, dann das schnelle Theme vom Glockenspiel, begleitet von den schrillen Fanfaren, hat etwas, das ich – wie man merkt – nicht in Worte fassen kann. Vielleicht ist mir dieser Track so im Gedächtnis geblieben, weil mein Herz in den Kampfszenen am schnellsten schlug. Für mich ist es einfach ein Stück weit Kindheit und das Gefühl lässt sich nicht mit Sternen und Zahlen ausdrücken. Auch wenn ich mir viele der Tracks nicht einzeln anhöre, ergeben sie gesamt betrachtet für mich ein stimmungsvolles Gesamtbild mit zahllosen Highlights.

Nostalgia warning

The rating of the individual tracks is purely subjective and clearly colored by my own experience with the game. You can find out more in the article About Nostalgia.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Ratings
01	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	Jeremy Soule	4
02	Quidditch Anthem	Jeremy Soule	4
03	Chess Match	Jeremy Soule	2
04	Green Cauldron	Jeremy Soule	3
05	Malfoy Fight	Jeremy Soule	5
06	Hogwarts Dark	Jeremy Soule	2
07	Devils Snare	Jeremy Soule	2
08	Flying Keys	Jeremy Soule	2
09	Quirrell 2	Jeremy Soule	3
10	Hogwarts Neutral	Jeremy Soule	4
11	Peeves Chase	Jeremy Soule	4
12	Remember All Chase	Jeremy Soule	4
13	Story Book	Jeremy Soule	4
14	Troll Chase	Jeremy Soule	3
15	Willow Boss Level 1	Jeremy Soule	4
16	Fluffy Intro	Jeremy Soule	2
17	Quirrell 3	Jeremy Soule	3
18	Hogwarts Happy	Jeremy Soule	4

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [Gamerip]

No.	Title	Artist(s)	Ratings
01	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	Jeremy Soule	4
02	Story Book*	Jeremy Soule	4
03	Hogwarts Neutral*	Jeremy Soule	4
04	A Firefly	Jeremy Soule	3
05	Flying Lesson	Jeremy Soule	3
06	Hagrid's Secret	Jeremy Soule	3
07	The Troll	Jeremy Soule	2
08	Green Cauldron*	Jeremy Soule	3
09	Hogwarts Dark*	Jeremy Soule	2
10	Fireseeds	Jeremy Soule	4
11	Quidditch Anthem*	Jeremy Soule	4
12	Singing Ghosts	Jeremy Soule	3
13	Quidditch Suite	Jeremy Soule	4
14	Invisible	Jeremy Soule	3
15	Malfoy Fight*	Jeremy Soule	5
16	Making Potion	Jeremy Soule	3
17	The Troll v2	Jeremy Soule	3
18	Phoenix	Jeremy Soule	5
19	Owl's Kingdom	Jeremy Soule	3
20	Gringotts	Jeremy Soule	3
21	Remember All Chase*	Jeremy Soule	4
22	Peeves Chase*	Jeremy Soule	4
23	Gargoyle	Jeremy Soule	3
24	Troll Chase*	Jeremy Soule	3
25	Malfoy Fight	Jeremy Soule	5
26	Crabbe and Goyle	Jeremy Soule	4
27	Fluffy Intro*	Jeremy Soule	2
28	Fluffy Is Sleeping	Jeremy Soule	3
29	Devils Snare*	Jeremy Soule	2
30	Quirrell 2*	Jeremy Soule	3
31	Flying Keys*	Jeremy Soule	2
32	Flipendo - The Bridge	Jeremy Soule	5
33	Chess Match*	Jeremy Soule	2
34	Quirrell 3*	Jeremy Soule	3
35	The Flying Keys 2	Jeremy Soule	3
36	The Chess Game Version Two	Jeremy Soule	3
37	Voldemort	Jeremy Soule	3
38	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [Orchestral]	Jeremy Soule	4

*Track contained in the Original Soundtrack