Spirit of Fire (music)

Spirit of Fire is the first track in Halo Wars: Original Soundtrack.

Overview
Spirit of Fire was produced by different music organizations in three different cities, including Dallas, Prague, and Seattle.

It starts with a very moody piano solo of the Spirit of Fire leitmotif, with atmospheric electronic backing, followed by percussions, strings, bells and a choir joining. After the first climax, the piece segués into vocals singing the Gregorian chant from the Halo Theme, with added piano, percussive and electronic elements. This reaches a crescendo, after which the piece ends with a continuation of the background instruments and sounds, which slowly fade out.

The Spirit of Fire leitmotif would be incorporated into other tracks: The leitmotif returns in Halo Wars 2: Original Soundtrack, incorporated into the track Recommissioned.
 * A triumphant version plays in the opening of Freaked Out.
 * A soft piano solo is featured in the middle of Insignificantia.
 * A strong vocals version is in the middle of Five Long Years.

Appearances
The full track plays in the main menu of Halo Wars and in the ending of the Halo Legends episode Homecoming.

The soundtrack's bonus DVD includes a 5.1 channel surround mix.

Production notes

 * Composer Stephen Rippy was hesitant to write a main theme for Halo Wars during production. Rippy noted that the track needed to tie itself to the Halo franchise but establish its own identity as Halo Wars. Initially, the track opened conservatively with an arrangement of the Halo Theme, followed by the Spirit of Fire leitmotif. However, almost all those who heard the track told Rippy that the track was "too familiar". In response to the feedback, Rippy moved the Halo Theme arrangement to the back to reinforce the Spirit of Fire leitmotif, resulting in a stronger focus on the Halo Wars identity in the track.
 * Stephen Rippy made the concert score for the track available for download on his personal website. A backup of this score can be found here.