Inon Zur (born July 4, 1965) is an Israeli American award-winning music com… Read Full Bio ↴Inon Zur (born July 4, 1965) is an Israeli American award-winning music composer. Originally writing for movies and television, he later moved into composing for video games. He has been described as being "internationally recognized as one of the A-list orchestral composers in the video games industry". During his career to date, Zur has composed the music to over 40 video games, 15 television shows, and 10 movies, as well as many movie trailers. He has been nominated for numerous awards, and has won three—a Telly Award in 1997 for Best Score on ''Power Rangers: Turbo'', a Game Audio Network Guild award in 2004 for Best Original Instrumental track for ''Men of Valor'', and a Hollywood Music in Media Award in 2009 for Best Original Song – Video Game for ''Dragon Age: Origins''. He currently lives in Encino, California, in the United States, and is composing the scores for several unreleased games.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Inon Zur was born in Israel. As early as five years old, he was trying to compose harmonies with his mother's singing, and became inspired by classical music. He learned to play french horn as a child, studied piano by the age of eight, and was studying composition by the age of ten.He graduated from the Music Academy of Tel Aviv, and spent four years in the Israeli military. Zur feels that this military experience matured him as a person and taught him to appreciate life and work hard at what he does. He emigrated to the United States in 1990 to study at the Dick Grove School of Music for a year, and then under private tutor Jack Smalley, a television music composer, and others for two years at the University of California, Los Angeles.
===Career===
Zur began his career in 1994 by working on soundtracks for movies, such as ''Yellow Lotus'', featured at the Sundance Film Festival. He then signed on to compose for Fox Family for six years, and made soundtracks for various children's television shows, including ''Digimon'' and ''Power Rangers''. By 2002 he estimated that he had composed the soundtrack to over 360 ''Power Rangers'' episodes alone. He won his first award during this period in his career, a Telly Award for his work on ''Power Rangers: Turbo''.
While he enjoyed the work, he began to want to go work somewhere "more intriguing, more advanced, and basically a place that people really appreciate music more"; his agent overcame his initial reluctance and convinced him to work in the video games industry. His first video game soundtrack was 2000's ''Star Trek: Klingon Academy'', though he started composing for the game in 1997. Zur quickly moved on to prestigious titles, composing for the award-winning and critically acclaimed ''Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal'' in 2001 and ''Icewind Dale II'' in 2002, among many others. ''Icewind Dale II'' earned him the first of many nominations for video game music awards, that of the Game Audio Network Guild's Music of the Year award.
He continued to work on movies and television programs during these years, composing the soundtrack to ''Au Pair'' in 1999 and the English version of the 2000 anime series ''Escaflowne''.
Zur's latest movie soundtrack to date was that of 2001's ''Au Pair II''. He has worked on a few television series since then; his last traditional television soundtrack was for ''The Bachelor (TV series)'' in 2002, though he has composed music for three webisode series since then. He continued to work on numerous best-selling video games, including ''Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones'' in 2005 and ''Crysis'' in 2007. He has also garnered several nominations for video game music awards, including his first win, for ''Men of Valor'' in the Best Original Instrumental track category of the 2004 Game Audio Network Guild awards.His latest released titles have been the highly successful ''Fallout 3'' and ''Prince of Persia'' in 2008, and 2009's ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and the Nintendo DS version of ''James Cameron's Avatar: The Game''. He is currently working on the soundtracks to several unreleased video games, and continues to live in Encino, California. ''Dragon Age'' has earned Zur his third career award, that of Best Original Song – Video Game in the 2009 Hollywood Music In Media Awards.
==Performances==
Zur's compositions have been played several times in live concerts. The first of these was a concert held in Seoul, South Korea on May 30, 2006 dedicated to his music for ''Lineage II: Chronicle V: Oath of Blood''. On August 20, 2008, music from his soundtrack to ''Crysis'' was played in Leipzig, Germany at a 'Video Games Live'' concert. His music from ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and ''Prince of Persia'' was performed at the September 26, 2009 "A Night in Fantasia 2009" concert in Sydney, Australia by the Eminence Symphony Orchestra. Inon Zur was a special guest at the concert.
==Musical style and influences==
Zur's compositions frequently are focused on full orchestras, choir and, in some games like ''Prince of Persia'', ethnic instruments like Arabic flutes and the woodwind duduk. He has often collaborated with the Northwest Sinfonia orchestra from Seattle, though he has on occasion used other orchestras. Whenever Zur works with a real orchestra, he always conducts it himself. He has named some of his musical influences as classical artists such as Sergey Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, and Beethoven, movie composers like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, and jazz artists like George Gershwin and Henry McFeeny. While he would one day like to compose music not intended to be part of a larger piece of media, he finds that the pressure of a deadline and the feedback from the developers are crucial in his development process. He feels that his music sounds best when it is in the context given by the media is was made for, though he feels that performances of the music by itself transforms it "from just a soundtrack to an art form on its own".
Zur typically is brought in to compose for a game once it is mostly complete, though he notes that that is earlier than for films and television—where nothing changes after he starts besides post-production effects—making video game music composition a more "flexible" process. He finds that it is "crucial" for him to play a game before he can compose music for it, even if it only a development version. Rather than compose music based around the setting in the game where it will be played, Zur composes music around the emotion that he wants the player to feel at that point in the game. While he feels that music composition technology has come far enough in recent years to no longer be a limiting factor in his music, he does feel that the music budgets for games limit what he can create. Zur feels that he is considered in the industry to be a very fast composer, which he attributes to his tendency to compose music "intuitively", rather than spending a lot of time planning it out. When not composing, Zur likes to play video games, especially those he has composed for, as well as play basketball and spend time with his family. The types of projects that he would like to work on in the future that he has not yet done are children's games and soundtracks incorporating jazz music.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Inon Zur was born in Israel. As early as five years old, he was trying to compose harmonies with his mother's singing, and became inspired by classical music. He learned to play french horn as a child, studied piano by the age of eight, and was studying composition by the age of ten.He graduated from the Music Academy of Tel Aviv, and spent four years in the Israeli military. Zur feels that this military experience matured him as a person and taught him to appreciate life and work hard at what he does. He emigrated to the United States in 1990 to study at the Dick Grove School of Music for a year, and then under private tutor Jack Smalley, a television music composer, and others for two years at the University of California, Los Angeles.
===Career===
Zur began his career in 1994 by working on soundtracks for movies, such as ''Yellow Lotus'', featured at the Sundance Film Festival. He then signed on to compose for Fox Family for six years, and made soundtracks for various children's television shows, including ''Digimon'' and ''Power Rangers''. By 2002 he estimated that he had composed the soundtrack to over 360 ''Power Rangers'' episodes alone. He won his first award during this period in his career, a Telly Award for his work on ''Power Rangers: Turbo''.
While he enjoyed the work, he began to want to go work somewhere "more intriguing, more advanced, and basically a place that people really appreciate music more"; his agent overcame his initial reluctance and convinced him to work in the video games industry. His first video game soundtrack was 2000's ''Star Trek: Klingon Academy'', though he started composing for the game in 1997. Zur quickly moved on to prestigious titles, composing for the award-winning and critically acclaimed ''Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal'' in 2001 and ''Icewind Dale II'' in 2002, among many others. ''Icewind Dale II'' earned him the first of many nominations for video game music awards, that of the Game Audio Network Guild's Music of the Year award.
He continued to work on movies and television programs during these years, composing the soundtrack to ''Au Pair'' in 1999 and the English version of the 2000 anime series ''Escaflowne''.
Zur's latest movie soundtrack to date was that of 2001's ''Au Pair II''. He has worked on a few television series since then; his last traditional television soundtrack was for ''The Bachelor (TV series)'' in 2002, though he has composed music for three webisode series since then. He continued to work on numerous best-selling video games, including ''Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones'' in 2005 and ''Crysis'' in 2007. He has also garnered several nominations for video game music awards, including his first win, for ''Men of Valor'' in the Best Original Instrumental track category of the 2004 Game Audio Network Guild awards.His latest released titles have been the highly successful ''Fallout 3'' and ''Prince of Persia'' in 2008, and 2009's ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and the Nintendo DS version of ''James Cameron's Avatar: The Game''. He is currently working on the soundtracks to several unreleased video games, and continues to live in Encino, California. ''Dragon Age'' has earned Zur his third career award, that of Best Original Song – Video Game in the 2009 Hollywood Music In Media Awards.
==Performances==
Zur's compositions have been played several times in live concerts. The first of these was a concert held in Seoul, South Korea on May 30, 2006 dedicated to his music for ''Lineage II: Chronicle V: Oath of Blood''. On August 20, 2008, music from his soundtrack to ''Crysis'' was played in Leipzig, Germany at a 'Video Games Live'' concert. His music from ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and ''Prince of Persia'' was performed at the September 26, 2009 "A Night in Fantasia 2009" concert in Sydney, Australia by the Eminence Symphony Orchestra. Inon Zur was a special guest at the concert.
==Musical style and influences==
Zur's compositions frequently are focused on full orchestras, choir and, in some games like ''Prince of Persia'', ethnic instruments like Arabic flutes and the woodwind duduk. He has often collaborated with the Northwest Sinfonia orchestra from Seattle, though he has on occasion used other orchestras. Whenever Zur works with a real orchestra, he always conducts it himself. He has named some of his musical influences as classical artists such as Sergey Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, and Beethoven, movie composers like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, and jazz artists like George Gershwin and Henry McFeeny. While he would one day like to compose music not intended to be part of a larger piece of media, he finds that the pressure of a deadline and the feedback from the developers are crucial in his development process. He feels that his music sounds best when it is in the context given by the media is was made for, though he feels that performances of the music by itself transforms it "from just a soundtrack to an art form on its own".
Zur typically is brought in to compose for a game once it is mostly complete, though he notes that that is earlier than for films and television—where nothing changes after he starts besides post-production effects—making video game music composition a more "flexible" process. He finds that it is "crucial" for him to play a game before he can compose music for it, even if it only a development version. Rather than compose music based around the setting in the game where it will be played, Zur composes music around the emotion that he wants the player to feel at that point in the game. While he feels that music composition technology has come far enough in recent years to no longer be a limiting factor in his music, he does feel that the music budgets for games limit what he can create. Zur feels that he is considered in the industry to be a very fast composer, which he attributes to his tendency to compose music "intuitively", rather than spending a lot of time planning it out. When not composing, Zur likes to play video games, especially those he has composed for, as well as play basketball and spend time with his family. The types of projects that he would like to work on in the future that he has not yet done are children's games and soundtracks incorporating jazz music.
Leliana's Song
Inon Zur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hahren na melana sahlin
Emma ir abelas
Souver'inan isala hamin
Vhenan him dor'felas
In uthenera na revas
Vir sulan'nehn
Vir dithera
Vir samath la numin
Vir lath sa'vunin
Vir sulan'nehn
Vir dithera
Vir samath la numin
Vir lath sa'vunin
Emma ir abelas
Souver'inan isala hamin
Vhenan him dor'felas
In uthenera na revas
Vir sulan'nehn
Vir dithera
Vir lath sa'vunin
Vir sulan'nehn
Vir dithera
Vir samath la numin
Vir lath sa'vunin
The lyrics to Inon Zur's "Leliana's Song" are presented in the language of the elves in the Dragon Age series, which makes them difficult to interpret literally. However, from the context of the song, it's clear that it is a lament from Leliana, a bard and companion character in the game. The song is about lost love and sorrow, and the lyrics evoke a sense of mourning and nostalgia.
The opening lines, "Hahren na melana sahlin / Emma ir abelas," seem to suggest a farewell to a loved one. "Hahren" is a title of respect given to an elder in elvish society, while "melana sahlin" may be a term of endearment or affection. "Emma ir abelas" means "my love is gone" or "my love is lost," which sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The repeated phrases, "Vir sulan'nehn / Vir dithera / Vir samath la numin / Vir lath sa'vunin," are more difficult to translate, but they seem to convey a sense of hope and longing. "Vir" may mean "together" or "in unison," while "sulan'nehn" may mean "rise up" or "ascend." Overall, the lyrics of "Leliana's Song" paint a poignant picture of love lost and the pain of separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hahren na melana sahlin
Respected elder, guide me with your wisdom
Emma ir abelas
I am always yours
Souver'inan isala hamin
The throne remains empty
Vhenan him dor'felas
My heart is in darkness
In uthenera na revas
In dreams, I remember
Vir sulan'nehn
Our love endures
Vir dithera
Our bond is unbreakable
Vir samath la numin
Our strength will overcome
Vir lath sa'vunin
Our song will never end
Vir sulan'nehn
Our love endures
Vir dithera
Our bond is unbreakable
Vir samath la numin
Our strength will overcome
Vir lath sa'vunin
Our song will never end
Writer(s): INON ZUR
Contributed by James K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@Glorfindelfan1234
Dragon Age 4: Rebellion:
Solas leads the elves into a war for control of Thedas, in order to reconstruct the Elven Empire. This leads to a war between the Elves, Inquistion, and the rest of the Human lands. Many die, as the elves stop at nothing to finally know their past, and cement their future. Solas knows that the only way to restructure the veil is to release the rest of the Elven gods, and somehow kill them. The old gods, or Archdemons, are the keys to the final eluvien that hides away the Elven gods. Their are seven keys, seven Archdemons. Solas overall plan was that the Archdemons would destroy the world by the time he awoke, cleansing it in order to allow for a Elven restoration. He was wrong, as humanity survived. In order to start a war that he and his people will win, he will do the following:
The 6th blight will be unleashed, as Solas knows one way or the other Humanity will take massive losses. If Humanity destroys the blight, he unlocks one of the keys, and can proceed with his plan while severely weakening humanity. If they fail to do it themselves, he will have certain implements in place to ensure its destruction regardless. Once this had been completed, he and his army will strike humanity at its weakest, and win.
Tevinter begins to Collaspe. Civil war has brewed between the Loyalists, fighting for change, growth, and freedom, and the corruption that is magic. While having to deal with a war with the Qun, Tevinter will destabilize, making them a limited threat and easier to control. He can use the slaves to his advantage, arranging for a slave rebellion, destroying the foundations of Tevinter. He can do this while keeping his presence unknown, as all of Thedas hates Tevinter, and will refuse to send aid; while indirectly conquering a large area of Thedas. He can then move his army and easily take complete control. From here, he can launch assaults against the Qunair, one of their biggest enemies, and destroy them. He will do this to ensure no other threats can be launched against the Elven people, and proceed with his conquering of Thedas.
The Darkspawn Civil War: the two fractions of Darkspawn, the blighted ones and enlightened ones, will fight for control of the deep roads. The Architect will arise, showing Thedas a different side of Darkspawn, and earning the Dwarves respect, by fighting with and for them. This will allow the Dwarves to finally take back ground, and once again become a major political force in Thedas. The Dwarves, however, will find that their history has a very different origin, and will start down a path of society chaos. The true threat to Thedas, the Titains, will arise to destroy the very foundations of the plant. When the Dwarves of Orzammar finally reach Kal Sharok, the only other Dwarven Thaig to survive the Darkspawn incursion, they will find that Kal Sharok has been keeping a very different history, a very bloody, dark, and corrupt memory. This will lead to a full underground war between two fractions of Dwarves, and two fractions of Darkspawn. The Dwarves will be split in two: the Titan led ones, and the independent Dwarves.
With a war on the surface and underground, the very fabric of the world will crumble. With not only a blight in the air, Orlais and Ferelden declare war upon each other, further destabilizing the plant. The other Magistars that entered the Black City will arise, and become leaders of the Darkspawn. The two fractions of the college of Magi will fight for power. The Chantry, however, will remain stable, as the new Divine will ensure it is used as a symbol for hope and strength. This will change, however, when the truth about the Maker is released: the Titans. The humans have been truly worshiping the Dwarven creators, the elusive Titans. The Golden City is really the remnants of old Arlathan. The war between humans and Elves that lead to Arlathans destruction: lies. The Elves were really fighting the Titans, who created the species of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Qunair, Darkspawn, and spirits/demons. The Elves fought the Titans because they wanted to be the dominant species, to live as gods of the surface and fade with the Spirits while the Titians and Dwarves remained underground. The war truly began when the Titans created Humans, who in the Elves view were savages. The Titians, seeing that certain Elves, like the Elven Gods, had over abused their power, deemed the Elven Empire corrupt, and destroyed them. Solas also realized this, and began to work against the Elven Gods with Mythal to ensure the Elven Empires continuation. The only way to save his people from extinction was to destroy their very civilization.
With all these elements at play, all nations, cultures, religions, and species at war in some way, the world will truly face its worst moments in history. The Inquistion is the only force that can prevent this from becoming a reality. Which fraction they will support, however, is unknown. The fate of Thedas lies in the hands of four people. The Champion of Redcliff, Warden-Commander of Ferelden, Arl/Arlessa of Amarathiane, Paragon (Conditional), Teynor of Gwarn (Conditonal), Arl/Arlessa of Highever (Conditonal), Savior of Denerium, Hero of Ferelden. The Champion of Kirkwall, Viscount of Kirkwall (conditional). The Herald of Andraste, Hero of Orlais, Champion of Thedas, The Inquisitor.
Most of the statements made are backed by facts. The fractions/wars/DA4 lore is all my speculation based off of hints and ending of the games/DLCs. All other information is fact checked and accurate based off of the Dragon Age wiki and statements from game producers. Not all elements are included. Full background on all information provided is also not provided. Some information above is slightly stretched in order to follow my speculation, but not in a way to contradict the informations Intergridy nor change the information basis for game advancement. Thank you !
@Glorfindelfan1234
Dragon Age 4: Rebellion:
Solas leads the elves into a war for control of Thedas, in order to reconstruct the Elven Empire. This leads to a war between the Elves, Inquistion, and the rest of the Human lands. Many die, as the elves stop at nothing to finally know their past, and cement their future. Solas knows that the only way to restructure the veil is to release the rest of the Elven gods, and somehow kill them. The old gods, or Archdemons, are the keys to the final eluvien that hides away the Elven gods. Their are seven keys, seven Archdemons. Solas overall plan was that the Archdemons would destroy the world by the time he awoke, cleansing it in order to allow for a Elven restoration. He was wrong, as humanity survived. In order to start a war that he and his people will win, he will do the following:
The 6th blight will be unleashed, as Solas knows one way or the other Humanity will take massive losses. If Humanity destroys the blight, he unlocks one of the keys, and can proceed with his plan while severely weakening humanity. If they fail to do it themselves, he will have certain implements in place to ensure its destruction regardless. Once this had been completed, he and his army will strike humanity at its weakest, and win.
Tevinter begins to Collaspe. Civil war has brewed between the Loyalists, fighting for change, growth, and freedom, and the corruption that is magic. While having to deal with a war with the Qun, Tevinter will destabilize, making them a limited threat and easier to control. He can use the slaves to his advantage, arranging for a slave rebellion, destroying the foundations of Tevinter. He can do this while keeping his presence unknown, as all of Thedas hates Tevinter, and will refuse to send aid; while indirectly conquering a large area of Thedas. He can then move his army and easily take complete control. From here, he can launch assaults against the Qunair, one of their biggest enemies, and destroy them. He will do this to ensure no other threats can be launched against the Elven people, and proceed with his conquering of Thedas.
The Darkspawn Civil War: the two fractions of Darkspawn, the blighted ones and enlightened ones, will fight for control of the deep roads. The Architect will arise, showing Thedas a different side of Darkspawn, and earning the Dwarves respect, by fighting with and for them. This will allow the Dwarves to finally take back ground, and once again become a major political force in Thedas. The Dwarves, however, will find that their history has a very different origin, and will start down a path of society chaos. The true threat to Thedas, the Titains, will arise to destroy the very foundations of the plant. When the Dwarves of Orzammar finally reach Kal Sharok, the only other Dwarven Thaig to survive the Darkspawn incursion, they will find that Kal Sharok has been keeping a very different history, a very bloody, dark, and corrupt memory. This will lead to a full underground war between two fractions of Dwarves, and two fractions of Darkspawn. The Dwarves will be split in two: the Titan led ones, and the independent Dwarves.
With a war on the surface and underground, the very fabric of the world will crumble. With not only a blight in the air, Orlais and Ferelden declare war upon each other, further destabilizing the plant. The other Magistars that entered the Black City will arise, and become leaders of the Darkspawn. The two fractions of the college of Magi will fight for power. The Chantry, however, will remain stable, as the new Divine will ensure it is used as a symbol for hope and strength. This will change, however, when the truth about the Maker is released: the Titans. The humans have been truly worshiping the Dwarven creators, the elusive Titans. The Golden City is really the remnants of old Arlathan. The war between humans and Elves that lead to Arlathans destruction: lies. The Elves were really fighting the Titans, who created the species of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Qunair, Darkspawn, and spirits/demons. The Elves fought the Titans because they wanted to be the dominant species, to live as gods of the surface and fade with the Spirits while the Titians and Dwarves remained underground. The war truly began when the Titans created Humans, who in the Elves view were savages. The Titians, seeing that certain Elves, like the Elven Gods, had over abused their power, deemed the Elven Empire corrupt, and destroyed them. Solas also realized this, and began to work against the Elven Gods with Mythal to ensure the Elven Empires continuation. The only way to save his people from extinction was to destroy their very civilization.
With all these elements at play, all nations, cultures, religions, and species at war in some way, the world will truly face its worst moments in history. The Inquistion is the only force that can prevent this from becoming a reality. Which fraction they will support, however, is unknown. The fate of Thedas lies in the hands of four people. The Champion of Redcliff, Warden-Commander of Ferelden, Arl/Arlessa of Amarathiane, Paragon (Conditional), Teynor of Gwarn (Conditonal), Arl/Arlessa of Highever (Conditonal), Savior of Denerium, Hero of Ferelden. The Champion of Kirkwall, Viscount of Kirkwall (conditional). The Herald of Andraste, Hero of Orlais, Champion of Thedas, The Inquisitor.
Most of the statements made are backed by facts. The fractions/wars/DA4 lore is all my speculation based off of hints and ending of the games/DLCs. All other information is fact checked and accurate based off of the Dragon Age wiki and statements from game producers. Not all elements are included. Full background on all information provided is also not provided. Some information above is slightly stretched in order to follow my speculation, but not in a way to contradict the informations Intergridy nor change the information basis for game advancement. Thank you !
@1Drakorn
Find me
Still searching
For someone
To lead me
Can you
Guide me
To the revolt inside me
Promise
Surviving
The Breach
Promise
Surviving
The Breach
In the sky
Templar
Igniting
Fire inside me
Maker
Remind me
Gone are the days
Of our peace
Now we reside
In the great divide
No promise
Surviving
The Breach
In the sky
@kamillayessenova4482
I will never understand the decision to replace Inon Zur. His music made Dragon Age feel like Dragon Age.
@Ander01SE
Bet they were saving money. :p
@andrewvincent7299
@@Ander01SE Trevor Morris is a pretty big shot composer for television. He did a great job with Inquisition. The main theme of Inquisition and Solas's theme were seriously the best songs in the whole franchise. I just think Bioware was wanting to distance themselves from DA 2 and part of that was getting a new composer.
@Mako-po2cc
I thought it was because Inon Zur was working on Fallout 4's soundtrack at the time.
@heyjoji1954
Mako I thought so too and I’m pretty sure BioWare approach him so I doubt they “removed” him
@arsonhycan
Yeah he had this special touch, but the newer music isn’t too bad at least! I think it’s rather nice. Just different.
@momoraven8577
I'm nearly 30 now, and I will NEVER forget what dragon age did to me, the joy it filled me, the memories.
@RandomDamsel008
Same same, I'll be 30 next month and Dragon age was the first rpg I ever played. ♥️♥️♥️
@mmaconnected2466
haha 31, same thing, thats our little club
@infiernorojiblanco3809
I’m 24 and I played DAO for the first time at the age of 12 in my Ps3…damm the memories :’)