Throughout his lengthy musical career, Williams composed some of the most famous film soundtracks and theme songs ever, including the first three “Harry Potter” films (2001, 2002, and 2004) and nine “Star Wars” films (1977, 1980, 1983, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019).
On October 30, 2001, the music for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” got released. John Williams wrote and directed the soundtrack for the movie. At the 74th Academy Awards, the soundtrack was a nominee for Best Original Score. Though the majority of the themes are only repeated in Chamber of Secrets, the movie introduces a number of character-specific themes (leitmotifs) that are also utilised in at least one sequel. These tunes include the main theme (“Hedwig’s Theme”), two themes for Voldemort, two themes for Hogwarts, a theme for Diagon Alley, a theme for Quidditch, a theme for flying, and two themes for friendship. This main theme was reprised and developed in all eight of the main Harry Potter films, as well as the spinoff films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequels, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
“The silent star of the evening was conductor Alexander Mayer, who drew from the orchestra swelling waves of sound followed by the most subtle of expirations.” (Hamburg Evening Gazette, 23 June, 2018)
Alexander Mayer, hailed regularly as a “modern conductor” by the media and praised for his innovative spirit and interpretations, has been Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel from 2010 to 2019. In that time, he has successfully established the position of this orchestra, created by a fusion in 2008, on Switzerland’s musical map, not least through appearances in renowned concert series and regular radio broadcasts. From 2013 until 2017 he also led the Sinfonietta de Lausanne to greatly recognized success.
https://www.alexander-mayer.com/
