Shifting gears back into Movie Soundtracks today~!

Today's pick is: Stoick's Ship by John Powell from How to Train Your Dragon 2



May the valkyries welcome you and lead you through Odin's great battlefield. May they sing your name with love and fury, so that we might hear it rise from the depths of Valhalla and know that you've taken your rightful place at the table of kings. For a great man has fallen: A warrior. A chieftain. A father. A friend.

There's a lot I can say about this piece. I'll try to be a bit spoiler free, but the title itself is a bit of a spoiler. But this is easily the most emotional part of the entire movie- and this track perfectly builds it up. Both proud and sad, majestic and somber, hopeful and strong. The perfect music to say goodbye to someone so great and mighty. There are very few movie soundtrack pieces- especially from animation- that quite match this level of emotional depth.

My favorite parts: The build up to 00:55 and that whole section. It's so beautifully orchestrated and full of emotion- It was when this part started playing that I finally started crying my eyes out the first time I watched the movie. Another favorite moment is when the flute comes in around 2:20. It's got a hint of hope and nostalgia to it as his mother speaks of Hiccup's strength. Lastly, the end at 3:15 or so when the trumpet solo comes in. It reflects Hiccup's growth and rise to responsibility. Strong and with purpose- it ends on a fairly optimistic, yet still somber, note!