Album Review | Game of Thrones Symphony | Ramin Djawadi (the City of Prague Philharmonic)

Twenty-one tracks rearranged for and performed by a genuine symphonic orchestra.

Composed by Ramin Djawadi, arranged by Evan Jolly, and performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic.

Season of Origin	Track
All	"Main Titles"
1	"Goodbye Brother
1	"Finale"
2	"Warrior of Light"
2	"Winterfell"
2	"Mother of Dragons"
3	"A Lannister Always Pays His Debts"
3	"Dracarys"
3	"Mhysa"
4	"Two Swords"
4	"You Are No Son of Mine"
4	"The Children"
5	"Blood of the Dragon"
5	"Dance of Dragons"
5	"Atonement"
6	"Son of the Harpy"
6	"Light of the Seven"
6	"Khaleesi"
6	"Winter Has Come"
6	"Hear Me Roar"
6	"The Winds of Winter"

The music of Game of Thrones has audibly changed over the years. The greatest change has undoubtedly been from season one to season two: the first season's music was dominated by quieter music, strings and various plucked instruments. Those sorts of plucked strings disappeared altogether from season two and the music has since simply been an expansion of the string orchestra to include brass.

One thing generally lacking have been woodwinds. The showrunners have a "no flutes" rule. However, for this album, that rule was ignored. Woodwinds make a glorious return.

(I will note here that the name of the album is something of a misnomer. The cover itself says "Music of Game of Thrones". The term "Game of Thrones Symphony" implies that the music has been arranged into a classical-style symphony. This is not the case.)

Across the seasons of Game of Thrones Djawadi has created and developed an impressive palette of leitmotifs: there is a Stark theme (which, I think, does double duty as a Winterfell theme, also), a Lannister theme (first appearing in season two), a Greyjoy theme (another season two creation). Dany has a theme, as do her dragons, the Unsullied, and even dragon flight.

Many of these leitmotifs are present. Not all are here, as I imagine only the very best highlights were chosen, but what is present on the album is an excellent taster album of the series.

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Djawadi's style of writing has always been very simple, so if you're expecting heavily layered music, then you're not going to find it. That said, while there aren't generally very many lines of music going on, what there is does - for me, at least - please. I expect many more critical reviewers will find it too simple.

But with the advantage of a full orchestra, Djawadi's music shines more than on the albums themselves. Indeed, you can hear in the arrangements occasionally new lines of music that weren't present in the original.

I shan't comment on each track individually so I'll just draw out some favorites and present those.

The arrangement of the "Main Theme" is absolutely excellent, thickening the texture of the original with a faintly present guitar (or other plucked string instrument - possibly a lute or mandolin?). The cello solo is just as unornamented as in the original, yet it sounds all the better. The drums so present throughout the series have a far different sound, one that I - frankly - prefer. Tubular bells add a grandeur to it while the brief appearance of a glockenspiel is totally unexpected yet completely delightful.

"Winterfell" is a much different experience from the original. The cello solo is still here but the addition of a flute adds a great deal of emotion to it. Later on, the cello solo is changed to an cor anglais and flute duet which is utterly gorgeous.

Across the finales of Game of Thrones Djawadi has written a variety of 'epic' music, in season one, and then from three afterwards, grand orchestral and choral pieces. Of them, my favorites are "The Children" and "The Winds of Winter." Both sound better than ever.

It would, of course, be remiss of me not to mention "Light of the Seven." This one really surprised everyone, honestly. Whatever the quality of Djawadi's previous music for the series, I don't think anyone expected he had this waiting inside him. Nevertheless, it happened - a shockingly powerful piece of music (accompanying what probably will go down as the 7-8 best directed minutes of Game of Thrones ever) and everyone was amazed.

It remains powerful here. If anything, it is far more powerful, as it uses a full choir and adds tubular bells and brass. And yet, listening to it is a much different experience also: the piano and organ each sound quite different. Not bad. Just different - it makes the piece all the more unique.

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And what of the rest? All of it is fantastic. The musical choices are all good ones. Indeed, the only minor alterations I might make is to remove "Sons of the Harpy" and add in "The King's Arrival" from season one, so that we have at least one iteration of the 'King on the Iron Throne' leitmotif.

Even though there is twice as much music from season six, I can't complain. Season six contained some of Djawadi's best work. I likely would've made similar choices, were I the one putting together the album.

I hope that, after the series is finished, there's a second album of Game of Thrones music performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic.

In fact, as a favor to Silva Screen, and Djawadi, I'll even create a - partial - track list for them. (Partial, since neither season eight or its music are out yet.)

Season of Origin	Track
All	"Main Titles"
1	"The King's Arrival"
1	"Winter is Coming"
1	"Game of Thrones"
2	"The Throne is Mine"
2	"What Is Dead May Never Die"
2	"Wildfire"
3	"Chaos is a Ladder"
3	"White Walkers"
4	"First of His Name"
4	"The North Remembers"
5	"High Sparrow"
5	"The Wars to Come"
6	"Needle"
6	"My Watch Has Ended"
7	"The Queen's Justice"
7	"Home"
7	"Truth"
8	I assume three-six of the best pieces of music from season eight.

What more can I really say? It's performed well, the arrangements are excellent, adding richness and depth to Djawadi's music and making the album more homogeneous than if it was just a compilation. I genuinely hope there is a second album - with the services of Evan Jolly retained.

If you like Game of Thrones' soundtrack, or if you want a taster of the series' music at its very best, then I recommend this album. If you do not enjoy the music of Game of Thrones, then this album is unlikely to change your mind.

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