Zanarkand (theme)

"Zanarkand" is the main theme of Final Fantasy X, composed and arranged by Nobuo Uematsu who got the idea of the tune for the opening theme from a flautist he consulted for help. He requested the tune to be used in Final Fantasy X and coaxed the team in using it for certain event scenes, but they weren't convinced.
Initially, the theme wasn't composed for Final Fantasy X, or any Final Fantasy-related title, until Ever Director Motomu Toriyama tried using it on the opening scene and deemed it perfect and no other theme would do. Uematsu was also surprised that it was just perfect for it. In the end, the theme, together with "Suteki Da Ne (Isn't It Wonderful?)", became the game's main theme, something Uematsu still finds hard to believe. Toriyama ended up re-editing the scene so the shifts in view to match the track.
== Game appearances ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
The theme plays during the opening, which shows Tidus and the others before the ruins of Zanarkand as they prepare for the final leg of their pilgrimage. Everyone gathers at a campfire at sunset while Tidus climbs up a vantage point to gaze at the ruins solemnly, beginning to narrate how he reached this point.
"Zanarkand" shares the greatest importance on the soundtrack with "Suteki Da Ne", being played at various significant plot events, typically rearranged and under different titles, such as "Movement In Green", "The Truth Revealed", and a large part the "Ending Theme".
"Movement In Green" was completely redone for the HD Remaster version with addition of Erhu. It was arranged by Junya Nakano who also arranged the original.
"Zanarkand" largely follows the same instrumentation as the original, but is performed on a real piano by Aki Kuroda, with less bass and with a pianissimo / piano opening. The Square Enix soundtrack sample website, and the soundtrack booklet, differ in the credits. The booklet credits Nobuo Uematsu as the sole composer and arranger. The website credits Masashi Hamauzu for rearranging the theme. "Zanarkand" is the only theme with this discrepancy. It is track 2 on the Final Fantasy X HD Remaster Original Soundtrack.
===Final Fantasy XV===
"Movement in Green -arrange- (from FINAL FANTASY X)" is playable in the music player from the Memories of DISSIDIA FF, purchasable from Old Lestallum for 500 gil.
=== Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)===
"Movement in Green" plays in the Destiny Odyssey X storyline stage boards. It was arranged by Takeharu Ishimoto. It is track 13 of disc 2 on the Dissidia Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack.
==== Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy ====
"Movement in Green" is used as Tidus's world map theme.
=== Theatrhythm Final Fantasy ===
"Zanarkand" is a Dark Note that appears in the Chaos Shrine. It is included in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Compilation Album.
==== Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call ====
"Zanarkand" and "Movement In Green" appear as Field Music Sequences available in the base game.
====Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival====
"Movement In Green" is a playable Field Music Sequence. It can be unlocked from the song store for 5 sound medals.
Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty
Beginner 	Basic 	Expert 	Ultimate 	Transcendent
N/A 	3 	4 	10 	N/A
===World of Final Fantasy===
"Prismelody: Blitz Off! / Zanarkand" plays when Tidus uses his Champion summon ability. It was arranged by Masashi Hamauzu and Shingo Kataoka, with the electric guitar played by Ichiro Kohmoto.
It is track 7 of disc 4 on the World of Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack.
===Final Fantasy Record Keeper===
"Zanarkand" is included as part of the 6th anniversary special arrange medley, taken from the top 10 music from All Final Fantasy Big Vote.
===War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius===
"Zanarkand" replaces the "Main Theme" in the main menu during the Final Fantasy X collaboration event.
=== Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable ===
The original version of "Zanarkand" is included in this crossover between Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest for the PlayStation Portable.
== Arrangement album appearances ==
===Music from Final Fantasy X Promo CD===
"'Zanarkand' (GameShow Version)" is included on the CD.
=== Piano Collections: Final Fantasy X ===
A piano arrangement of "Zanarkand" is featured on the Final Fantasy X piano collections album. It was arranged by Masashi Hamauzu and performed by Aki Kuroda.
=== The Black Mages II: The Skies Above ===
"The Skies Above" is a rearranged version of "Zanarkand" by Kenichiro Fukui featured as the title track of The Black Mages' second album The Black Mages II: The Skies Above. This version's entrance includes the original "Zanarkand" and is succeeded by a dynamic entry of a heavy metal arrangement of the original song, with lyrics by Alexander O. Smith and performed by Japanese tenor Tomoaki Watanabe credited as "mr. goo".
==== Lyrics ====
The officia lyrics were released on the album.
:Sparks from the fire rise up to the sky
:Higher and higher oh I want to fly
:Out of the story this time I'll be free
:Wake up for a moment from this dream of me
:Just a legend cold words on a page
:Lift up my eyes and I'm soaring away
:On silver wings spread out to the sun
:I'm leaving this city for the skies above.
:O'er the ruins an ancient light
:Never lost, never failing
:Follow me on my path to the heights
:Before the shadows fade into night
:Running back but I'm out of time.
:I could tell everything
:Hear the words that fill my mind
:How can I say she was mine
=== Final Fantasy Remix ===
A remix by DJ duo Ante is included on this album, produced by Ian Hartley.
=== Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection ===
This album features a classic guitar arrangement of "Zanarkand".
=== Distant Worlds II: More Music from Final Fantasy ===
"Zanarkand" was performed and included in the sequel to Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy and was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. This version of the theme introduces previously unheard variations into the, otherwise simple, central melody.
=== Final Fantasy X Chips ===
A chiptune version of "Zanarkand" appears on this album, arranged by ASAGEN.
=== Final Fantasy Tribute ~Thanks~ ===
A techno arrangement of "Zanarkand" by AVTechNO! was included on this tribute to the Final Fantasy series music as the 4th track of its second disc.
=== Final Fantasy Orchestral Album ===
"Zanarkand" appears on this Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary arrangement album. It was arranged by Shirō Hamaguchi, conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the FiLMharmonic Orchestra, Prague.
=== BRA★BRA Final Fantasy Brass de Bravo ===
"Zanarkand" was arranged by Yohei Kobayashi, supervised by Hidenori Iwasaki. It was conducted by Hiroyasu Matsumoto and performed by the Siena Wind Orchestra.
=== Square Enix Jazz -Final Fantasy- ===
"Zanarkand Jazz Arrangement (FINAL FANTASY X)" was arranged by Ryu Kawamura and recorded on the album.
== Live performances ==
=== 20020220 music from Final Fantasy ===
An piano arrangement of "Zanarkand" by Masashi Hamauzu was performed live by Aki Kuroda at the Tokyo International Forum on February 20th, 2002.
=== Tour de Japon: Music from Final Fantasy ===
"Zanarkand" was performed during the concert tour, arranged by Shirō Hamaguchi. The Yokohama performance on March 12, 2004 was recorded and released on the DVD album. It was conducted by Taizo Takemoto and performed by the New Japan Philharmonic.
===Dear Friends -Music from Final Fantasy-===
"Zanarkand" was one of the tracks performed for the concert tour. However, no live concert recording was released.
=== More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy ===
"Zanarkand" was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by The World Festival Symphony Orchestra at the More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy concert, which took place at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, California on May 16th, 2005.
=== The Black Mages Live "Above the Sky" ===
The Black Mages' "The Skies Above" was performed at their 2005 concerts at Club Citta in Kawasaki City, Japan and Namba Hatch in Osaka City, Japan. It features mr. goo as the vocalist.
=== Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home ===
"Zanarkand" is included on this live recording of an orchestral concert, performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Arnie Roth held in Tokyo, in November 2010.
=== Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy The Celebration ===
An orchestral arrangement of "Zanarkand" by Shirō Hamaguchi was performed for the concerts commemorating 25th anniversary. The recording on the album was performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra at the Tokyo International Forum.
=== A New World: intimate music from Final Fantasy ===
A live recording of "Zanarkand" from at the London premiere of the concert of the same name on February 15, 2014, conducted by Arnie Roth, is included on this album.
=== Orlando Nerd Fest 2014 ===
Nobuo Uematsu and the Earthbound Papas performed "Zarnakand" in the event.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5HxuSxwuxk
=== Final Symphony ===
"FINAL FANTASY X - Piano Concerto" is a piano concerto arranged by Masashi Hamauzu and orchestrated by Roger Wanamo for the Final Symphony concert series. The first movement of the piano concerto is titled "Zanarkand". It was conducted by Eckehard Stier and performed by Katharina Treutler and the London Symphony Orchestra.
It was recorded on Final Symphony - music from Final Fantasy VI, VII and X.
=== Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy The Journey of 100 ===
An orchestral arrangement of "Zanarkand" was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
=== Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy Jiritsu ===
"FINAL FANTASY X : Zanarkand" is an concert performance performed and recorded for the Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary. It was orchestrated by Shirō Hamaguchi and conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the New Japan Philharmonic.
== Non-Square Enix appearances ==
=== EXIT TRANCE PRESENTS FamiTrance EX ===
"Zanarkand" appears as the 11th track of the album. It is a techno dance arrangement arranged by Icon.http://vgmdb.net/album/16065
==Other media==
A "Zanarkand" dynamic theme was released for PlayStation 4 systems. When installed and activated, the theme plays the track "Zanarkand" when the player is in the system's menus and sound effects when accessing menu items match those of Final Fantasy X. The background image is Yuna, Auron, Wakka, Lulu, Rikku and Kimahri gathered around the campfire when in the lower menu, while accessing the upper menu shows Tidus at the top of the ledge, pyreflies drifting across the scene.
== Sheet music ==
ToZanarkandSheet1.jpg|Sheet music.
ToZanarkandSheet2.jpg|Sheet music.
== References ==
es:Zanarkand (Tema Principal)
Category:Event themes from Final Fantasy X
Category:Field themes from Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)
Category:Field themes from Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Category:Field themes from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Category:Field themes from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call