Editing Ashes (music)

{{Era|RW}}
{{Title|Ashes}}
{{disambig header|the soundtrack|the Halo Wars 2 multiplayer map|Ashes}}
{{Music infobox
 | name       = Ashes
 | video      = {{#widget:YouTube|id=cuB4XfCLg2U|width=300}}
 | album      = ''[[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]''
 | composer   = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]]
 | length     = 2:46
 | last       = [[From the Vault]]
 | next       = [[Fortress (music)|Fortress]]
 }}

'''Ashes''' is the thirteenth track (Disc 2 Track 6) included in ''[[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]''.

==Overview==
''Ashes'' is composed of two themes. The first theme opens with piano notes, then lead into a mournful melody by piano and vocals. The full melody reprises once before leading into the second theme.

The second theme is a more expressive and hopeful melody by strings and piano. It features the same ending to the second theme from the later track ''[[Ghosts and Glass]]''.

The piano and vocals then reprise the first theme of ''Ashes'' in a higher register, then ends with the vocals fading out.

==Appearances==
The full piece plays in the [[Halo: Reach credits|credits]] of ''[[Halo Reach]]'', after the piece ''Latchkey'' (from the earlier track ''[[ONI: Sword Base (music)|ONI: Sword Base]]'') and before the piece ''Unreconciled'' (from the earlier track ''[[Tip of the Spear (music)|Tip of the Spear]]''). 

A strings-only version of the second theme, titled ''The Fall'' (from the earlier track ''[[Overture (Halo: Reach)|Overture]]''), plays in the menu of ''Halo: Reach''.

A piano-only version of the first theme is briefly featured in ''Discontent'' (from the earlier track ''[[Winter Contingency (music)|Winter Contingency]]''), and plays in the ending cinematic of the campaign level ''[[Winter Contingency (level)|Winter Contingency]]''. 

A version without vocals, titled ''Reflection'' (from the earlier track ''[[New Alexandria (music)|New Alexandria]]''), plays during the ending cinematic of the campaign level ''[[New Alexandria]]''.

A full piano-only version, not found in-game or in the soundtrack, can be downloaded from [[Bungie.net]] [http://downloads.bungie.net/audio/ashes_piano.mp3 here].

==Production notes==
*''Ashes'' began composition as ''“Sad Theme1”'', and O’Donnell considered the first theme too thick because there were too many notes. After removing some notes from the melody, he found it spare and haunting, befitting for the intended mood.{{Ref/YouTube|QYE02nTHKdU|Martin O'Donnell|Reach Music Inception Pt1|Y=2021|M=2|D=13}} O’Donnell sung the vocals, then edited his voice using an unspecified software to reach a higher register.<ref>''Halo: Reach Developer Commentary''</ref>
*The title of the track may be a reference to the burning, smoldering ashes as a result of [[glassing]].

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Soundtrack|HR}}