ReMix:Chrono Cross "Reminiscence of Feelings" 4:16

By Vampire Hunter Dan

Arranging the music of one song...

"Ephemeral Memory"

Primary Game: Chrono Cross (Square , 1999, PS1), music by Yasunori Mitsuda

Posted 2006-08-31, evaluated by the judges panel


Alright, we're gonna try and pick up a somewhat "brisker" schedule to make up for the dual two-week hiatuses necessary for the site design changes, Chipamp, etc.; I neglected to emphasize in the writeup for 1500 that, to coincide with the nice, neat, round number of 1500, we've updated our torrents and could really use help seeding. Both torrents are worth downloading, even if you've got all of the previous mixes, as certain mixes had ReMixer name fixes, title fixes, and other assorted corrections to their ID3v2 tag information. In other news, I just bought an AKG C1000S and an Axiom 61 (viva la aftertouch and trigger pads!) from Zzounds.com - if you're a current or aspiring ReMixer, I recommend checking them out; they're also an affiliate of ours, so buying stuff on their site from links off ours helps us out, too.

Vampire Hunter Dan, who we last heard from this very month last year (covering the same game, no less), sends in a harpsichord-driven, rather baroque arrangement of Chrono Cross, and you know what I say: If it ain't baroque, don't fix it. Sympathy laugh? Fair enough. The ReMixer writes:

"Hello. I'm writing to submit an arrangement/remix of mine called "Reminiscence of Feelings." This orchestral piece is loosely based off of my arrangement of Chrono Cross's "Sang of Feeling" (aka "He Sang of Feeling") from the first edition of a certain Yasunori Mitsuda Tribute album. It's been a little while since my last submission to OCR, and much has happened in my life since that time. If it should be posted to OCR, I'd like to dedicate this arrangement to my family, for all they've done for me over the past year."

Let's hear it for familial appreciation - my sister and brother-in-law just moved back from NYC and are staying at my place until they buy their own, and right now I'm babysitting their cats and changing kitty litter, so I know how important reciprocal blood relations can be. Shariq described this as a "delicate arrangement that shows a lot of attention to balance," and I think that summarizes things accurately. There's a harpsichord cadenza at 2'18" that really ups the Austrian powdered wig pomp factor believably, which is probably my favorite bit. The overall arrangement is fleshed out but direct and unaffected in its formal and direct charm; it's got a familiar, cozy, welcoming feel to it that suits Dan's dedication appropriately. Oji opines:

"The note at 3:59 hung for a little too long and sounded fake, but you had some nice stuff when the other strings worked back in at 4:04 for the close. It's not often that we get arrangements of already existing arrangements, but this one definitely rose to the challenge of creating something evocative of the old version while also bringing strong improvements to the table. Overall, and very appropriately, this was a lush and emotive piece. A very strong arrangement. One for the ladies even."

While "Dan" isn't exactly the type of name that, when conjugated with "Vampire Hunter", inspires fear in the hearts of enemies, the artist clearly exhibits a sense of arranging for orchestra and specifically for lighter, harpsichord-centric fare. It's not your minor-key, gothic, Transylvanian harpsichord but rather your pleasant, "I just ate all the chocolate truffles and now I'm going for a serendipitous stroll by the fountain" harpsichord, which is good but in a different way. Quality work from VHD which, while not knock-your-long-socks-off elaborate or energized, is a pleasant and well-constructed take on Mitsuda's original.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Lucentas
on 2009-10-01 16:00:33

Dan does it again...another masterpiece. It helps that I'm practically addicted to harpsichord, which is pretty unhealthy I know.

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OA
on 2008-01-24 15:51:32

I love the source theme, and VHD does a pretty good job of genre-shifting it to an orchestral version. The mix walks a very fine line between intimate and grandiose, and though i think some of the samples seem a little too synthetic (most notably some of the lower end strings), the overall results are very well crafted and engaging.

The expansion of some of the chords is very skillful and creative, and I think it takes the source to the next level in several areas. The harpsichord sounds great as well, and adds a nice texture to the generally legato proceedings. There is a short section that sounds especially inspired with some double time tuned percussion (it's not marimba I don't think? i'm not completely sure..) about 1/3 through. Percussion is sparse and used as punctuation, and the section that features the harpsichord has an excellent tempo change, and a gradual buildup that ever so slightly puts on the brakes before you start to expect an bombastic explosion, and it leads you to new territory.

VHD does an excellent job on a beautiful source, there's really a lot to love here.

Highly recommended.

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DragonFireKai
on 2007-02-25 18:08:11

I love this style of orchestral. There aren't enough Baroque style ReMixes here. All of the Orchestral mixes try to be very grand in their scale, but this is a nice departure from that. By bringing the Harpsichord to the forefront, it makes the entire mix more subdued, in a good way.

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maestermatt
on 2006-09-16 16:47:23

I loved the harpsicord in it. I but I don't really like the harpsicord per sei. But it's really good in this remix. Hope to hear some more stuff like this VHDan.

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Metasquares
on 2006-09-05 17:58:19

I like it... sounds kind of Baroque, but not exactly what I expected when I saw the description. The harpsichord doesn't stick out, which is good, since it hardly ever does in Baroque orchestral music (seems that it's usually brass or strings, which is how you orchestrated as well - I'm guessing you have lots of experience with this sort of music). The samples could be a bit better, but I was never one to quip over that, since anyone can perform it later on better instruments if you're releasing the sheet music.

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Blake
on 2006-08-31 23:48:53

This is veyr well crafted, great on the ears, and nothing sticks out, epitomizing "blend". I lovez tha harpsichord :D . Anyway, this mix makes me happy. Five stars. In this case Light Culbs. :idea::idea::idea::idea::idea:

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Kozmo
on 2006-08-31 21:06:18

I've always been a big fan of VHD and he DEFINITELY has not lost his touch. I agree with DJP with the focus on balance throughout, because there is a constant, flowing wall of sound during almost all of the piece. Great stuff, I only regret getting it once a year. Well, kinda like Christmas. In late August.

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TheDarkChristian
on 2006-08-31 19:35:16

If I remember correctly, Doris' little brother in the original "Vampire Hunter D" was named "Dan". I assumed the inference was that Dan was inspired by D and grew up to become a Hunter himself. I've always meant to ask and never quite gotten around to it...

BTW, awesome mix! Some skillful orchestration and good use of the original source material. I really liked the music from Chrono Cross and was glad to see it get some recent coverage. :)

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avaris
on 2006-08-31 14:33:22

Sweetness, I've wanting to hear some good orchestrations for awhile. All the lil melodies and backdrops and the variation in the arrangement is really what makes this an exsceptionally good orchestral piece.

Oh yeah, djp was wandering why the name 'Vampire Hunter Dan'...maybe it's a play off the old anime movie 'Vampire Hunter D'...? Who knows, thats what I always thought Dan got the name from.

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Audity
on 2006-08-31 08:53:16

I usually absolutely hate music like this, but somehow after 30 seconds I was really feeling this. It's got such great atmosphere.

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Ninja-san
on 2006-08-31 08:00:30

Glad to see another mix from you. Awesome job.

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John Revoredo
on 2006-08-31 04:15:16

To vampire hunter dan:

10/10. Man, you've got an orchestra at home.

Sounds like Haydn, or Beethoven with a harpsichord. I would like to see more mixes from you in the future ;-D.

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The Mac Attack
on 2006-08-31 04:06:48

From the write-up I was under the impression it was going to be a full on Baroque arrangement. Whilst it wasn't exactly this, it still didn't dissapoint - nice work and effective use of harpsichord! :)

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PlastikBag
on 2006-08-31 02:58:03

Beautiful.

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djpretzel
on 2006-08-31 00:54:07

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Chrono Cross (Square , 1999, PS1)
Music by Yasunori Mitsuda
Songs:
"Ephemeral Memory"

Tags (2)


Genre:
Classical
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Orchestral
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Chrono_Cross_Reminiscence_of_Feelings_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,144,531 bytes
MD5:
21e3fed2a11eae1dbae76b65ca73189a
Bitrate:
189Kbps
Duration:
4:16

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