‘Game of Thrones’: 5 Great Musical Moments to Savor
Warning: The following story contains spoilers for Seasons 1-6 of Game of Thrones.
It’s been 40 days since the Season 6 finale of Game of Thrones (who’s counting?), but HBO just announced a way for some lucky fans a chance to get their Thrones fix. On August 8, a full orchestra will perform a live concert of composer Ramin Djawadi’s epic score. Attendees will also get a chance to see some exclusive exhibits like the Hall of Faces, the Iron Throne, costumes from Season 6, and Arya’s sword Needle. Djawadi and Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark) will be in attendance for a post-concert Q&A with the audience — and the announcement teased “exciting new details surrounding an extension to the Game of Thrones universe.” (Sadly, that “extension” won’t involve more seasons, as HBO has already confirmed that Thrones will end with Season 8.)
It’s unclear if the concert will be available to watch online or on demand after the fact, but that hasn’t stopped us from compiling a wish list Thrones musical moments we hope to hear. Our top 5:
1. “Winterfell” (Season 2, Episode 10)
The Winterfell theme is solemn, noble, and melancholy, making it a perfect leitmotif for House Stark and its unlucky family. The piece airs towards the end of Season 2, episode 8, when Theon takes Winterfell and the two remaining Stark boys hostage, and we wonder how much more the family can take. Though many more horrible things have yet to come for the Stark family, at least Djawadi gives them a theme that respects their loss and encourages them to endure at the same time.
2. “The Rains of Castamere” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Who can forget the Red Wedding? While some may point to various deaths or moments within the show that completely shocked them, mine will always be the Red Wedding. Seeing a pregnant woman getting viciously stabbed in the stomach is an visceral image that does not leave your mind quickly. Right before the Red Wedding, “The Rains of Castamere” played, echoing that something terrible was about to happen. The slippery theme is that of the Lannisters, who orchestrated the horrific murders.
3. “Mhysa” (Season 3, Episode 10)
Another epic piece from the final episode of Season 3, “Mhysa” joins Daenerys as she frees the people of Meereen. As they crowd around and touch her lovingly, the slaves shout “Mhysa,” which means “Mother.” A slow, steady and grand chorus echoes in the background as we reel from yet another victory for our beloved Khaleesi.
3. “Light of Seven” (Season 6, Episode 10)
“Light of Seven” carried the opening scene of the last episode of Season 6 and quickly became one of GOT’s most iconic musical moments. The delicate piano piece begins with an unsettling calm that soon builds into full-on suspense as a choir and organ join in the background. The epic seven-minute song played during the trial sequence, in which (spoilers!) Cersei blew up King’s Landing including Queen Margaery, her brother Loras, the Head Sparrow and all his acolytes.
“The Winds of Winter” (Season 6, Episode 10)
Playing over the final moments of Season 6, “The Winds of Winter” intertwines all the different plot threads that are that slowly coming together. Djawadi’s triumphant score allows us to revel in the satisfying ends to many of Thrones’ most horrible characters, like Walder Frey and Ramsay Bolton — as well as glory in what’s to come: As the drums slow and the chorus swells, we see our last glimpse of Khaleesi as she propels her way towards Westeros.
Game of Thrones Season 7 will premiere on HBO in summer 2017.
