Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Soundtrack Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

The score for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a diverse, emotional and enjoyable musical experience. Nicholas Hooper, who also scored Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has created a soundtrack that is just as dark and whimsical as the film itself. It is easily the most diverse and imaginative since John Williams composed the score for The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Note: A video compilation of soundtrack highlights follows this review.

Perhaps the most prominent missing element to the score of The Half-Blood Prince is its lack of an easily identifiable overall musical theme. Because of this, the album itself lacks a measure of coherence throughout its 28 tracks. But what Hooper lacks in a recognizable theme, he makes up for in diversity and creativity. There are moments when the soundtrack is fun and lighthearted, and others when it is melancholy, creating a deeply emotional experience.

Hooper isn’t afraid to change instrumentation, either. He employs the typical orchestra – but there are some wonderful acoustic guitar and harp moments, as in “Malfoy’s Mission,” “Harry & Hermione” and “When Ginny Kissed Harry,” which are beautifully executed, as well as jazzy numbers, such as “Living Death” and “Slug Party” which are sure to be amusing.

“Opening” and “Into the Rushes” are examples of the darker, more kinetic fare that Hooper offers. And then there are moments such as “In Noctem,” “Snape & The Unbreakbale Vow” and “Slughorn’s Confession” which are haunting and ethereal. There’s even enough room left over for some triumphant bombast, heard in “Ron’s Victory” and “Of Love & War.” And the soundtrack ends with appropriately epic tracks like “The Drink of Despair” and “Inferi in the Firestorm.”

The most disappointing track of the album comes from “Dumbledore’s Farewell.” It’s certainly a very moving and beautiful piece of music. But the track sounds much too similar to “Anakin’s Betrayal” (the music from the Order 66 sequence) from the Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Soundtrack. As a result, it’s difficult to set aside the comparisons.

For the most part, though, The Half-Blood Prince is an entertaining and enjoyable score. It’s hindered by a lack of a prominent central theme, as well as some stumbles — notably “Dumbledore’s Farewell” and the more outlandish jazzy tracks of “Wizard Wheezes” and “The Weasley Stomp.” Otherwise, this is the kind of soundtrack that works very well on its own, as a source of a balanced musical and emotional journey.

Below is a video compilation of the highlights mentioned in this review. Each track is given a roughly 30-second cue which, hopefully, can augment the analysis and criticism provide in this article. It goes without saying that this material is the property of its copyright holders and is presented here for educational and informational purposes only.