Composer Atli Orvarsson infuses gypsy influences with a full orchestra and choir to create a mystical and haunting score for the upcoming Screen Gems film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in theaters August 21, 2013. Director Harald Zwart previously hired Academy award-winning composer Gabriel Yared for the film, but replaced him with Ovarsson after he attended a the premier of Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, and approached him about composing the score.
Based on the best-selling novels, the film follows Clary Fray as she discovers the secret past of her family and what mystical being she really is. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones score album will be available on Milan Records Tuesday, August 20, 2013 and is currently available for pre-order. A second album, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, is being released the same day by Republic.
Director Harald Zwart spoke about his choice of Orvarsson for the film stating, "I came out of a screening of another film Atli previously scored and there was a certain energy about it. I thought 'He's the perfect man for the job." Based on the fantasy world of Shadowhunters, Orvarsson created several themes for the film. Incorporating bells and dulcimers to exemplify the presence of new and old, Orvarsson's theme for Clary is inspired by New Age music with gypsy undertones. After attending a screening of the film's first cut, Orvarsson immediately presented Zwart with a piece of note paper. "He handed me music scribbles and said 'This is the theme' and it is the beautiful 'Clary's Theme' we hear in the film," said the director. The composer also incorporates the power of a choir throughout the score, creating the feeling of virtuosity and majesty while also utilizing the vocals to tell the darker tales of the Underworlders.
Atli Orvarsson's versatility has produced an individualized and compelling style that contributes to his success as a musician and composer. Orvarsson's recent credits include Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, A Single Shot, and NBC's Chicago Fire. He also wrote additional music for the summer blockbuster Man of Steel with composer Hans Zimmer. Other credits include Babylon A.D., The Eagle, and Season of the Witch. Örvarsson previously worked alongside veteran composer Mike Post on series including NYPD Blue and the Law & Order franchise. A member of Remote Control Studios, Orvarsson has orchestrated and written additional music for films including Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and The Simpsons Movie. His accolades include numerous ASCAP Film & TV Music Awards as well as a World Soundtrack Award nomination.