ReMix:Final Fantasy VII "Aeris Lives" 5:58

By Kevin Lau

Arranging the music of 2 songs...

"Aeris's Theme", "The Prelude"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2005-01-02, evaluated by the judges panel


Another year bites the dust :) I'll be posting another mix right after this one with some post-2004 commentary, so let's jump straight to the music: newcomer Kevin Lau gives us a touching, sentimental solo piano arrangement of the innately touching and sentimental Aeris theme from FF7. It's recorded very cleanly, if low at times, and features an impressive command of dynamics, especially in terms of the minute, shades-of-gray gradations between piano, mezzo piano, etc., and even injects a little prelude into things, blending in the infamous introductory arpeggios shamelessly and effectively. Larry gives us the point-by-point, John Madden analysis:

"Very quiet but excellent first few minutes. Great way to slowly escalate things at 1:48. Well done integration of "The Prelude" from 2:21-3:05, followed up by some excellent rearrangement of The Prelude all the way until 3:35. The abrupt/drastic change in key at 3:40 didn't work at all, but what came after that was strong. Nice activity throughout the last 3 minutes or so, before slowing things down for the dramatic finish. I'm not an FF music fan myself, but I can see how other fans could dub this as emotive."

Excellent playing - I think most of the panel felt that the arrangement was a little conservative, so this would be an area where future submissions could improve, but for a first ReMix this is a pretty mature, intimate, and accessible take of a well-known theme. Should be a sure thing for Squareheads and those with a sweet tooth for touchy-feely melodies on a well-recorded grand. Side effects may include the emasculinating phenomenon of weeping like a little baby, depending on your emotional connection to the source material. Good stuff - the occassionally too succinct Malcos summarizes:

"Whew, this recording sounds sweet. Great piano playing, what else can I say?"

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Codamadius
on 2011-12-03 02:32:26

Beautiful piano piece. Final Fantasy VII was always easily one of my favorite games as well as the music that went along with it. I never get sick of the story or music, and I love how you brought Aeris back with a simple yet powerful piece. Very well done.

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zarbit
on 2011-03-14 14:28:37

I absolutely love this mix. What you've actually done to Aeris' theme is excellent, and the playing is beautiful as well. The only things I would change are dynamics - I especially wanted more of a forte at the 2-minute mark - but overall a bit louder would be nice. Aside from that, truly amazing. Well done, sir.

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OA
on 2010-02-25 15:13:12

Besides the levels being a little low throughout, this is really well done. Beautiful work!

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_heartilly_
on 2009-06-06 14:02:33

A wonderfully beautiful piano mix. It captures perfectly the character of Aerith, that scene from the game, the relationship, and the emotions that go along with it. It captures that beauty and sorrow at the same time wonderfully. The simplicity of just having the piano play is great, and is in no way 'too simple'. It's easy to go OTT with pieces sometimes, but the simplicity of this was good for conveying the emotions involved.

Someone earlier said that it's good to relax you when under stress, and that is very true. But although that's a good practical use of the song, it's just enchanting to listen to. Well done. And I wish I could play piano this well!

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sefirosu
on 2009-01-28 16:17:28

Wow. Simply beautiful. I've always loved Aerith's Theme and this remix does it so much justice.

It's one of the few songs I've heard that brings me to the verge of tears.

This is brilliantly beautiful.

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Majestic
on 2006-11-14 15:01:33

This is absolutely beautiful, definitely the best version of all the various takes on this score.

I am wondering if you have the score (music sheet) for this.

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BIGSTEVE
on 2006-11-05 16:05:34

Uh.....yeah. what he said.

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Aerous
on 2006-11-04 14:06:45

A hauntingly beautiful piece. Not many composers can catch the resonance and the soul of a song, let alone two of them. The majesty, the depth, the simple yet profound manner in which the piece comes across is pure brilliance.

Then suddenly as if the power of the music is not enough to grip and stun you, the prelude passages knock you off your feet in a sublime "One, two" combination. 8O

My review does not do this piece justice, but one hopes that it accurately portrays my enthusiam. Thank you Kevin Lau for the gift of this music.

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BIGSTEVE
on 2006-10-05 12:09:00

BIGSTEVE says this OC Remix is off the chain!!! Love it! I like beyond Midgar better, but this is still really good. It kind of calms you down if you listen to it when you're under stress!

Bottom Line: It's Awesome. Download it.

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Kanthos
on 2006-10-04 23:54:21
Um, so this is the best piano remix on the site I've found so far. Remixer happen to write down the music for it? Can I have it? Please?

Kevin did in fact create sheet music. Get it at his site, http://www.kevinlaumusic.com/.

I don't know if Kevin will ever read this himself, but if you do, great work. You won't remember me, but I met you at a wedding shower in Pickering for Liz and Mark. I'm checking out more of your stuff on your site. Haven't had time to hear much yet (Liz only pointed your site out to me this evening), but I especially like the version of Eternal Harvest. Yes, I know it's a remake, but well done just the same.

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Walter_Sullivan
on 2006-07-09 13:27:15

gotta say, one of the best songs on the site.

never liked aeris, she wasn't much of a good fighter, nor was she a good character. sure she had great personality, but the only things she really did to help the plot was to die.

sorry to any fan's of her's for those comments.

but one thing i can say about her. even though i didn't care much for her, i still weeped for her. and boy did i love her theme.

and this remixer here has brought back all the good feelings that i got from her. warmth, sorrow with a hint of hope, love, and anything else. whilst listening to this song for the first time, i completly forgot any complaints i had about her as the charecter and focused on the good.

well, i've rambled enough.

overall, excellent, excellent song.

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Maher Shalal
on 2006-06-02 14:48:17

Um, so this is the best piano remix on the site I've found so far. Remixer happen to write down the music for it? Can I have it? Please?

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Psychotic Ninja
on 2006-02-18 19:34:30

I really loved the piano playing in this song, and Aeris's theme was one of my favorites in the game.

So good remixer + good theme + good piano = Great OC Remix

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lady zelda
on 2006-02-02 23:23:08

What else can I say? This is amazing, the piano is just beautiful. It really captures the beauty from that BEAUTIFUL scene from the game. (I would go into detail, but I don't wanna go into any spoilers.) This is definitely material for a re-release of FFVII. It's the best done remix of Aeris's theme on the site I've heard so far. Keep these coming, okay?! ^_^

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YuffieKisaragi
on 2005-10-20 01:22:49

The sweetness of Aeris' theme is only enhanced by the addition of the prelude passages. i'm in love.

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Aeris's Theme"
"The Prelude"

Tags (2)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Piano
Additional:
Arrangement > Solo

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_7_Aeris_Lives_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,810,452 bytes
MD5:
2e46306ac3bb3c0f2d593ec15a816ea9
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
5:58

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