ReMix:Final Fantasy VI "Phantom Midnight" 2:14

By mp

Arranging the music of one song...

"The Phantom Forest"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2002-09-13, evaluated by the judges panel


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.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Liontamer
on 2011-12-09 18:16:25

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.

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42
on 2010-12-14 20:37:42

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.

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AeonHunter
on 2010-10-14 00:04:26

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.

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Nutritious
on 2009-07-04 15:41:01

Wow, beautiful and haunting 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.

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OA
on 2009-03-27 10:56:11

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.

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Aaran
on 2008-06-21 18:48:55

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.

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Soapy
on 2006-06-30 13:30:01

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.

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isthan
on 2006-06-20 17:13:27
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!

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Bummer
on 2005-09-19 12:19:54

A nice classical piano remix, sounds sad, but

not spooky. Anyway, I liked it, so I downloaded it.

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premiumg
on 2005-02-19 13:59:45

someone got the sheet music for this piece?

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Yakolev Noct
on 2004-03-02 22:02:08

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.

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kLuTz
on 2002-12-17 18:49:59

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

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Shhteve
on 2002-10-07 15:47:11

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. :)

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Ignis
on 2002-10-07 12:57:07

I like most piano solos and this one's no exception. Nice :)

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Landon
on 2002-10-07 01:31:56

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.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"The Phantom Forest"

Tags (8)


Genre:
Mood:
Dark,Sad,Spooky
Instrumentation:
Piano,Solo Piano
Additional:
Arrangement > Solo
Time > 3/4 Time Signature
Time > Duration: Short

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_6_Phantom_Midnight_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
2,767,804 bytes
MD5:
d65690e091bc7ed9d7d38c901e2853ad
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
2:14

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