An entire generation has now grown up with 'Hedwig's Theme' representing those wispy childhood fantasies of magic and monsters; an orchestral crucible; a nostalgia-trip through all those fairy-tales that came before it. Thirteen years since its debut in the first trailers of the first film, this iconic theme tune has become synonymous with the Potterverse and the multi-billion pound franchise that came with it. As the films progressed the composers changed and with that came a degree of risk. Should the individual scores become disparate, it could alienate audiences and stick out as an obvious blemish. Fortunately, the subsequent composers maintained the magical elements of John Williams' original score whilst adapting to the darker tones present in the narrative and cinematography of the latter films. The original score and in particular, Hedwig's Theme, display a natural transition into other transmedia elements, including video games, documentaries and the Warner Bros. studio tour. The success with which this universe was built emphasise what a feat Williams achieved in providing a key aspect of the franchise's identity.
