ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Phantom Midnight'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): mp
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'The Phantom Forest'
- Posted: 2002-09-13, evaluated by the judges
Matt Pollard, alias mp, goes solo piano on his latest ReMix, from Final Fantasy 6. Though not extraordinarily interpretive melody-wise, this arrangement does have some emotion & dynamics behind it, critical to the success of a solo instrumental, for that human, 'organic' factor. My concern was that, given what I know of Mr. Pollard's abilities, this effort seemed a little simplistic and understated, and I still think it could have gone in one additional, surprising direction to make it seem more like a journey than a trip, so to speak, but FF fans and lovers of solo piano are bound to appreciate the emotive playing here. Judges agreed that the dynamics and feel of the work were enjoyable and well-executed, and after all, ritard, accelerando, piannisimo, and forte are all elements of arranging, as well as notes + rhythm. Composing solo piano ReMixes is hard; judging them with perspective is perhaps harder, in my book. It's a different ballgame, really, with different plays and players. I think mp has achieved a degree of success, and imagine that many will enjoy this quite a bit. Holistically, I wouldn't rank it among his better, more ornate compositions, but I would qualify it as a successful initial foray into solo piano work.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Surprised I never commented on this. The quality's only a little
bit dated in the big scheme of things, but this was still a
beautiful piece that I'd love to hear performed on a live piano.
Great haunting stuff from Matt that had subtle, but excellent
dynamics and showed off his range when viewed alongside his other
mixes. A old favorite of mine.
- Liontamer on December 9, 2011
- Liontamer on December 9, 2011
All this missing is some rain sound effects in the background.
:)
I can just imagine this being played as the incidental music as some film is panning and showing different parts of some ruined castle somewhere.
The mood just matches perfectly: calm, antiquated, forgotten, contemplative. As such this is one of my favorite Final Fantasy 6 mixes hands down and on my playlist that I listen to as I go to sleep.
- 42 on December 14, 2010
I can just imagine this being played as the incidental music as some film is panning and showing different parts of some ruined castle somewhere.
The mood just matches perfectly: calm, antiquated, forgotten, contemplative. As such this is one of my favorite Final Fantasy 6 mixes hands down and on my playlist that I listen to as I go to sleep.
- 42 on December 14, 2010
For probably 7 years this little piece of music has been with me. I
don't remember how I got it or where I got it from. It was burned
onto a CD at one point and that's when I lost the title and the
name of the artist. I played that CD ad nauseum. When I got a new
computer, this was the only song from that CD that I transferred.
Since then I've held onto it dearly, transferring it onto my new
computer when the old one bit the dust. Over the years I've played
this song easily 10,000 times - and it never gets old. After I lost
the information for it I called it "Melancholy Piano", artist - "?"
Every time I'm feeling lonely or lost or down, this is the song
that knows how to sing to my soul. Call me cheesy if you want to,
I'm just trying to put into words how much this piece of music has
come to mean to me. It's simple. It's beautiful. It has a staying
power that goes far beyond the original. It captures a mood
perfectly. This is music that has shaped me. I finally downloaded
Tunatic and re-identified the song. Bringing me here. Thank you mp.
- AeonHunter on October 14, 2010
- AeonHunter on October 14, 2010
Wow, beautiful and [i]haunting[/i] intro. I think that was the most
effective part of the piece. It's a capable solo piano piece, not
for it's technical merit, but for the mood it creates. He's very
delicate with some of the velocities, which is why it's so
effective I think. I was very surprised how short the song was. I
was expecting a dramatic B section that brings out the second half
of the original OST, but it never came. I'm not even sure if the
second half of the song is covered here? Sounds like a big missed
opportunity for more development and material beyond what is here.
Ending was ok, though the fadeout felt like a bit of a cop out.
Still, it's emotive and well done.
- Nutritious on July 4, 2009
- Nutritious on July 4, 2009
A little lacking in dynamics production-wise, but a pretty good
piano rendition. The arrangement plays it super safe though, so i'd
recommend it to hardcore fans of the original track first.
Not bad, but a little too vanilla for me.
- OA on March 27, 2009
Not bad, but a little too vanilla for me.
- OA on March 27, 2009
Was anyone actually able to get the sheet music from this
ReMixer?
I pm'd him 2 weeks ago but didn't get a reply.
- Aaran on June 21, 2008
I pm'd him 2 weeks ago but didn't get a reply.
- Aaran on June 21, 2008
I would have rather heard this when I played the game. It makes me
sad, which is the original songs intention. Due to the fact the
phantom train carries dead spirits.
- Soapy on June 30, 2006
- Soapy on June 30, 2006
premiumg wrote: someone got the sheet music for this piece?
I second that!
This sounds very... professional. The melody flows perfectly. When heard this the first time I haven't played FF6 yet. This was one of those songs that made me think "I gotta play that game which has so amazing music!"
I always feel very very sad when listening this... am I the only one? ._.
9/10
//p.s. this remix deserves more comments!
- isthan on June 20, 2006
A nice classical piano remix, sounds sad, but
not spooky. Anyway, I liked it, so I downloaded it.
- Bummerdude on September 19, 2005
not spooky. Anyway, I liked it, so I downloaded it.
- Bummerdude on September 19, 2005
To second Klutz's remark, I have actually played this piece during
a lazy summer thunderstorm. It was not just "cool", it was perhaps
the most profound emotional experience that an OC mix has ever
evoked from me.
- Yakolev Noct on March 2, 2004
- Yakolev Noct on March 2, 2004
This is great! Wonder how I didn't come across this before?
Anyways, any alterations would make this piece obscure...I would
leave it exactly how it is, except maybe one thing. Wouldn't this
song sound cool with rain and thunder stuff in the background?
Hehe...Anyways, what a classic, it stays close to the original
theme, while adding a whole new perspective to the song. This
would've been great in the game, or if they would've released it in
the OSV...
:wink:
-kLuTz
- kLuTz on December 17, 2002
:wink:
-kLuTz
- kLuTz on December 17, 2002
Even though a song may sound or seem simple, there's a more true
meaning to every piece of music.. I really like this one. Great
work, Matt. :)
- Shhteve on October 7, 2002
- Shhteve on October 7, 2002
Beautimous. It reminds me of.. .*snaps his fingers a few times*
.... Untamed Heart. Not really much to say. It's a big piano solo.
But a big PRETTY piano solo. Not a big fan of the fade out however.
I prefer a nice solid ending. 8.5 out of 10.
- Landon on October 7, 2002
- Landon on October 7, 2002
