Review: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in Concert with Houston Symphony
Score: ★★★★★
I was too young to catch the Harry Potter films in theaters when they first came out, but I still remember my earliest encounter with the series. After racing through the books in second grade, I ran straight to the library to check out the DVDs, clutching them like they were sacred artifacts. Even on a small screen, they felt magical, like the world was opening a secret door just for me.
On June 27, I attended a live concert screening of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” at Jones Hall, performed by the Houston Symphony. The film played without its original soundtrack, with music instead performed live by the Houston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Brett Mitchell. This was the first score in the film series not composed by John Williams; instead, it featured the work of Scottish composer Patrick Doyle, renowned for his film scores in “Henry V,” “Sense and Sensibility”, and “Hamlet.”
As someone who frequents Houston Symphony concerts, I have never seen Jones Hall this packed. The crowd spanned generations with kids and adults donning Hogwarts robes and house scarves, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a fan convention than a traditional symphony performance. A themed photo backdrop greeted guests at the entrance.
What made this screening feel entirely fresh was the immersive sensation it created. With the sweeping motion of Brett Mitchell’s baton, like the flick of a magic wand, the orchestra launched into “The Story Continues,” a fast-paced track driven by urgent strings and thunderous percussion, pulling the audience straight into the Wizarding World. This cue accompanies the film’s ominous opening, where Voldemort and Wormtail plot to hunt down and kill Harry.
In the background, you can hear traces of the iconic “Hedwig’s Theme,” a haunting echo of John Williams’ original score from the first film. While Doyle preserved some of Williams’ recurring motifs, he added his own distinctive voice throughout the soundtrack. “Quidditch World Cup” stands out as a playful and energetic piece, full of lively Irish folk influences that match the team competing in the scene. Heavy drums pulse in the background, eventually giving way to the darker, faster-paced theme for the Bulgarian team, heightening the excitement of the match.
Another standout cue is “Golden Egg,” which bursts to life with a piercing trumpet fanfare and charges forward with blaring horns, pounding drums, and frantic strings, perfectly matching the chaos of the Hungarian Horntail dragon’s chase through the castle grounds. In stark contrast to these more festive or action-filled moments, the most powerful theme is “Voldemort.” Dark, brooding and ominous, it gradually builds in intensity as layers of orchestration are added, culminating in a dramatic climax. This is followed by “The Death of Cedric”, where the dark motifs from “Voldemort” linger in the strings, adding emotional depth to a heartbreaking theme that captures the sorrow and finality of that moment with somber beauty.
The orchestra seamlessly wove itself into the film’s fabric, rising precisely when the music was needed and dissolving into silence without a trace, never pulling focus yet always enhancing the moment. That perfect synchronization smoothed over abrupt scene changes and softened the rough edges of the older special effects, making the experience feel polished and alive.
Even from my seat at the back of the hall, I could hear the layers of detail the musicians poured into each passage. The Quidditch World Cup opening, paired with the thunder of live drums and soaring melodies, didn’t just play on the screen — it burst into the room, pulling the audience into the game as if we were right there in the stands. As the credits rolled, the orchestra played on until the final name faded into darkness, leaving the audience in quiet awe.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the film’s release, which made the experience feel even more special. Sitting in that concert hall surrounded by people who also grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione, I was reminded of just how much these stories have stayed with us. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a return to something familiar and beloved, a celebration of a world that shaped our imaginations and continues to grow with us.
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