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On a Pale Horse

Revision as of 09:30, June 5, 2020 by CIA391 (talk | contribs)
On a Pale Horse

Album:

Halo: Original Soundtrack

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Length:

01:34

Previous:

Drumrun

Next:

Perchance to Dream

 

On a Pale Horse is the nineteenth soundtrack included in the Halo: Original Soundtrack.

Overview

The soundtrack begins with driving staccato notes from the high strings joined by pizzicato from the low strings in what can be guessed is an alternating time signature between 6/4 and 4/4 time. At various times, sections of the high strings voice themes and variations on the "monk chant", eventually developing a unique melody. At about a minute into the soundtrack, the strings start a sort of "call - answer" theme again divided by low and high strings, then reverts to the staccato theme this time voiced in the lower register while the higher register plays slow chords while they crescendo to the end of the soundtrack.

Appearances

It can be heard:

Remastered versions

It is remastered into the following:

Production note

The name "On a Pale Horse" seems to be a reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the book of Revelation; specifically, it refers to the fourth horseman, who'll ride in on a pale horse, and represents death. It is probable that this fourth horseman is meant to be John-117, who will slay the Covenant. Incidentally, the first chapter of the level The Maw is titled "And the Horse You Rode In On", though it is most likely a reference to UNSC Pillar of Autumn.