Fellowship Theme
"Fellowship Theme" is a musical composition by Dana Glover that appears in Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, and Ultima Online, as well as on Origin's soundtrack compilation Origin Soundtrack Series Volume 2.
Composition[edit]
"Fellowship Theme" is comprised of two sections. It opens in the key of D minor with a benevolent, hymnal mood for eight bars, before modulating to A minor for an ominous, percussive motif led by timpani. Still in the same A minor progression, the piece then introduces a melancholic call and response between woodwinds and French horns that builds to an uplifting finale. Aeolian (natural minor) harmonies accompany throughout, but the melodies, while minor in sound, do not exude a distinct modality in and of themselves due to their avoidance of a sixth scale degree.
Glover composed the piece with the intent to convey the Fellowship's duplicitous nature. It was originally a longer composition; however, time constraints in Ultima VII's production schedule necessitated that it be heavily edited.[1]
Appearances[edit]
The piece is first heard in the opening scene of Ultima VII, as Iolo consoles Petre over Christopher's horrific murder. It can thereafter be heard in the Fellowship's many branches throughout Britannia, as well as its Meditation Retreat. Appropriately, the theme is reprised in Ultima VII Part Two at the Fellowship Camp outside Fawn. It also appears in Ultima Online as one of Britain's themes.
The version included on Origin Soundtrack Series Volume 2 features an extended ending with a definitive resolution, as opposed to the in-game appearances that are designed to loop.
Audio[edit]
Listen to "Fellowship Theme" in its original MIDI format here: 
Video Game Music Preservation Foundation Wiki hosts the Roland MT-32 version.
Trivia[edit]
- That the theme is heard right at the start close to the murder scene can be seen as a subtle hint that the Fellowship is somehow involved in said murder.
References[edit]
- ↑ Wilson, Johnny et al. "Sneak Preview — Ultima VII: The Black Gate". Computer Gaming World. Golden Empire Publications, Inc.: October 1991. Page 40.