Arranging the music of 2 songs from 2 games ( view all )...

"Sadness", "Title Theme"

Primary Game: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (Nintendo , 2001, GBC), music by Minako Adachi

Posted 2005-10-18, evaluated by the judges panel


Who is Nayru, and what exactly is his love? Dhsu, with an assist from Graylightning, is glad you asked:

"Yes, the introduction, is a verbatim cover of the OoT title intro. Yes, that was intentional. Right after that, the Oracle theme comes in, but it's over the OoT (or OoT-style) rolled chords, instead of the original single-note accompaniment. After that, you hear the main part of the OoT theme, and the accompaniment switches to arpeggios. Then it changes to the Oracle theme again, with some subtle OoT references at 1:29 and 1:48. Finally, we come to the OoT ending, which similar to the original but takes an interesting turn at 2:12 (I think it goes to an F# in the arrangement instead of a G).

And that's the song. It's a little simple on the left hand side and a little conservative on the right hand side, but I think if you compare it as a whole with the sources, you'll realize they're significantly different in feel and arrangement."

GrayLightning explains his role:

"After 3 different attempts with various versions, we're finally happy to submit the final version of it. I helped edit some of the midi aspects of the piece with some tweaking of the left hand sections, and note velocities. I also did the mixing and mastering with some eq, compression, reverb, etc."

This solo piano arrangement sounds like a theme they'd play in a film about someone who'd just been diagnosed with a terminal illness... in Autumn; as Brandon points out, it's really two rather conservative arrangements melded into one less conservative arrangement - the key is in the juxtapositionamifyingication... to be sure. Production is both crisp and warm simultaneously, and the performance displays solid dynamic range and control of tempo. It ends up feeling more like a Zelda 64 mix to me than Oracle of Ages, even if the melody is from the latter, as the progression is inherently dominant - and I spent a helluva lot of time watching the title sequence back when the former game first came out for the N64. Mr. Taub confesses to a softer side underneath that stony facade of bleak indifference:

"perhaps the most melancholy performance on this site. You know if you can break through Vig's icy shell and inject a little compassion into the charred stone that is his heart, you've done good."

Much like the jaded youngsters in the critically-acclaimed Care Bears Movie, who learn to love - and trust - with the help of psychedelically-colored carnivores, Jesse's cathartic breakthrough speaks to the strength of the mix's tone. That's what I'd say the strong suit is here - it's not a virtuoso performance, not an ingenious arrangement, but what it does quite effectively is use both themes to construct a third, descendant work that achieves a serene, reflective tone, with perhaps a hint of longing; I can certainly relate. Deceptively simple but openly emotive, this is a good example of a short, well-executed idea that doesn't try to be all things to all people but still confidently paints a picture.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Dyluck
on 2023-10-23 13:28:14

Delicate.
Wistful.

The latter term is especially pertinent as by this time it seems that GrayLightning was stepping back from ReMixing, as with this and #01464 'Castlevania: Circle of the Moon "Time's Anxiety"' he became "feat. GrayLightning". This ReMix puts to music that sort of wistfulness I've been feeling as I've been going through the catalog from beginning to end and finding that I've come across the last submission of a favorite ReMixer.

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Mythezza
on 2012-09-08 14:35:41

All I have to say about this remix is that I did not want it to end.

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panzi
on 2011-03-11 21:59:52

Wow, I really REALLY love this ReMix. I love the opening theme from OoT anyway and wish there would be more ReMixes of it. This one is really great! :)

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Hylian Lemon
on 2010-12-04 14:14:47

My taste in music was pretty narrow back when this was posted. I can say now that I fully appreciate this beautiful tribute. It really brings out the emotion in the original tracks, especially from Ages.

I would have liked to be the first with a posted Oracle track, but I can forgive you for making such an amazing remix. :-P

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yosefu
on 2010-01-05 07:34:05

Very beautiful and delicate.

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Darklink42
on 2009-12-30 19:34:20

I really enjoy how the two songs actually compliment each other here and near seamlessly slide back and forth. It took me a while to figure out where one gave way to the other. I have to agree that it is really conservative, both on the actual piano playing side, but also on the sticking to the source. But I think the mix does a good job bringing out the emotion of both the songs represented, even if only one is listed at the moment.

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OA
on 2009-12-22 15:28:48

pretty emotional performance, and nice clean production. This is good stuff. Sometimes it's best to just let the source speak for itself, and this mix does that beautifully. Amazing stuff, I really enjoyed this one.

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Emunator
on 2009-12-03 19:37:04

This is one of my favorite Dhsu remixes. It feels even more emotive than his usual work, and captures that tender sense of longing that was present in the original songs. I can't figure out what's going on with the source tunes here but the whole thing feels like an OoT remix to me. Maybe they're the same melody, I dunno.

I'm never sure how to properly review piano solos, even though that's my modus operandi when it comes to remixing myself, but let me assure you that I'm extremely moved and touched by what's been created here. Really, really awesome work, I'm glad I discovered this one! :-)

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Pachi Risu
on 2009-11-19 18:45:37

Transitions between tracks were very smooth.

A delightful remix that runs soothingly from the

headphones, or speakers. Nicely done. Kudos.

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LinkFX
on 2009-09-27 16:35:56

The actual song being remixed is called "Sorrow and Despair" and can be listened here.

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a_d
on 2009-09-21 01:22:02

listening to the "Title Theme" for Oracle of Ages on YouTube sounds nothing like the melody in this remix. But this piano solo is one of my favorites on OCR

EDIT:

@LinkFX

Thanks

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Marmiduke
on 2009-02-01 09:20:40

Ah, this one brings back the late night OoT sessions I had when I was supposed to be sleeping, bleary TV eyes and all.

The arrangement here is the winning aspect for the mix. I mean, I really, really love the arrangement. The two themes aren't just slapped together and forced to stick, nor are they mutilated to accommodate each other. They simply mesh in a really natural way, mainly because of the attributes of the piano and the skill of its player.

Dhsu has a great way of stripping down really fantastic melodies and flexing them to get the most out of them, without damaging the way we experience them or remember them. This mix is just another stellar addition to an impressive body of work. Love it.

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Liontamer
on 2008-05-22 02:10:18

I don't regret my vote against this track, as I still felt it could have stood apart from the original more. But it's one of my NO votes that I've greatly enjoyed nonetheless.

Gray added some great touches with his available sounds to add much more realism and expression to the sound quality of the piano. I certainly miss the influence and camaraderie he added to the community.

But more importantly, David's composition was simply a sure-fire winner no matter what standard you look at it from. Whether it's a piece like this, EarthBound "Nirvana," or others, he's been excellent while keeping the pace demure and deliberate.

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GreyMage
on 2007-11-16 23:44:53

this song is so delicate and sensitive that its the first stress relief that comes to mind. the short length doesn't bother me one bit since i listen to another soothing relief right after, so this makes a great addition to what i love listening to

i wanna learn how to play the piano now...

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Chronoman
on 2007-11-05 00:52:37

Do we have sheet music for this beautiful mix?:razz:

Sources Arranged (2 Songs, 2 Games)


Primary Game:
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (Nintendo , 2001, GBC)
Music by Minako Adachi
Songs:
"Sadness"
Additional Game:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo , 1998, N64)
Music by Koji Kondo
Songs:
"Title Theme"

Tags (3)


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

File Information


Name:
Legend_of_Zelda_Oracle_of_Ages_Nayru's_Love_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,995,654 bytes
MD5:
204685bc358e4a528202fef8d4ebde3e
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
2:43

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