ReMix:Final Fantasy X "Zanarkand String Quartet" 2:51

Newcomer GrayFox1217 (Spencer Bambrick) brings us a simple, direct, and stunning string quartet arrangement of "Zanarkand" that's understated and quietly gorgeous:

"This is a very simple string quartet recorded in a studio in Dobbs Ferry. I think it's a pretty unique approach to one of my all-time favorite pieces of music ever written. Hope you enjoy it!"

The purity & strength of Uematsu's original composition really come through when stripped away to (relatively) bare essentials like this, and - while relatively straightforward and consistently legato - both the musicianship and recording let every note shine. Liontamer writes:

"Arrangement-wise, this was structurally close, but the excellent live performance dynamics and new part-writing to accommodate the full quartet were a thing of beauty. It's short and sweet; count me in. Keep 'em coming, Spencer!"

In the interest of expediency, I actually closed this unanimous vote out myself, so I'm now going to quote me:

"Certainly a classical but NOT contemporary classical approach to the arrangement - no real curveballs, just a very competent and heartfelt arrangement/performance of one of Nobuo's sweeter melodies. All very legato; it might have been nice to have some more mixed articulations, as that's one way string quartet pieces can get a lot of timbral mileage, but this opts for an overall smooth delivery, from beginning to end. Them closing high notes is sweet like sugar; very purdy."

Well said, me. As an example of the timbral flexibility & variety a string quartet can muster, this probably wouldn't be your first pick, but not every arrangement needs to DO that - it's about what's right for the piece. I think the almost Zen simplicity and gliding, evolving sustains of this ReMix work quite well, and I'm pretty damn certain folks are gonna love it. Great debut; like Larry says, would love to hear more!