ReMix:The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker "Ancient Hero" 4:29

By DarkeSword

Arranging the music of one song...

"The Legendary Hero"

Primary Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Nintendo , 2003, GCN), music by Hajime Wakai, Kenta Nagata, Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi

Posted 2003-11-29, evaluated by djpretzel


Darkesword aka Shariq Ansari gives us this stirring orchestral arrangement of the story theme from Link's latest cel-shaded adventure. I confess to owning a Gamecube but not this game; I'm still working my way slowly through Metroid Prime, which is a bit more my style. Though the middle of this arrangement is taken up by a more reticent version of the classic Zelda theme on oboe, the framing melody on either end is new and gives this ReMix a good combination of nostalgia and freshness. Introing with solo harp, then gradually building to the suspenseful string stabs and horn fanfare of 1'00", there's some great running percussion with tambourine, timpani, and cymbals going full force. Things segue into the classic melody then back out, and we get a nice oboe duet towards the conclusion. Harp, oboe, strings, choir, orchestral percussion, and french horn are all mixed very coherently and cohesively into this lucid arrangement that's a bit of the old and a bit of the new. As our first Wind Waker mix, I'm certainly glad it didn't just focus on the legacy content, but instead incorporated it in very smoothly with the newer material. A good sense of harmony and dynamics gives this motion, breath, and direction. Very good stuff.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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LamanKnight
on 2017-11-15 05:44:41

I remember when I first came across this song, about 10 years ago, on this newly-popular website called YouTube. It was one of the first video game remixes that truly mesmerized me. I've listened to it fairly consistently over all those years, and I'm still not tired of hearing it. The brass parts make it feel heroic, the harp parts give it a mystical quality, and every part of this song feels inspiring. Exactly as Legend of Zelda music should be. ¡Bien maravilloso!

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AgentLym
on 2015-04-30 23:54:22

Wow-- this song defined many a summer evening of mine back in highschool. After finding it again (randomly popped up as a suggestion to a Youtube vid) after so many years, it sent renewed chills down my spine and plenty of fond memories and emotions. Thanks for making this, Darkesword! I love it!

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Clxmj
on 2014-09-10 15:16:42

This is going to be my funeral song, absolutely blown away by it. Heard it when it was first released (i was in college at the time) but only just doing a comment on it now. Outstanding for any Zelda fans out there..

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GSO
on 2012-01-17 17:24:35

I have nothing to say. the treatment of this song is absoulutely stunning.

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Bahamut
on 2011-12-08 23:27:27

This is a nice mix of Legendary Hero. It builds up towards the end , like a slow sustained unveiling of a legend. Something sounds off about the orchestra to me - perhaps humanization or samples is an issue? The track is quite old though so I can forgive that. The arrangement is solid and still enjoyable regardless.

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WesternZypher
on 2010-12-28 13:51:19

I'd've said set sail for high adventure, but a poster before me beat me to it, still this mix is awesome enough that it bears repeating.

Set Sail for High Adventure!

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MechaFone
on 2010-12-07 17:23:45

Epic adventures on the high seas! This remix takes me places I haven't been since I was young and dreaming of...well, you know. Adventure.

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OA
on 2010-09-01 16:24:39
I believe it's just Fruity Reverb.

That is not a reverb I can use. ;_;

Could you maybe just lie and say it is some random reverb I can get as a free AU plugin? :-D

Just link to any reverb and i'll probably believe you.

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DarkeSword
on 2010-09-01 16:19:42

I believe it's just Fruity Reverb.

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OA
on 2010-09-01 16:17:55

Great reverb on the opening harp, gotta let me know what you are using there, dude!

For presumably all free samples, this all sounds pretty nice, even the choir. :-)

The arrangement is classy and nuanced, with tasteful additions, and everything done here has a distinct place in the mix. The pacing is strong, and everything is melodically interesting, with good dynamics.

Good stuff Shariq, now about hooking me up with that reverb... ;-)

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shadow3121
on 2010-06-16 19:02:59

Wow.

To get chills not even a minute into a piece... it's incredible. DS really knows his way around the orchestra, and I absolutely LOVE his work. He always seems to have a remix of something from every game that i love, and this piece does not disappoint.

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EternalVengeance777
on 2010-04-14 02:13:13

Amazing remix, I love it, one of the best songs I have heard on this site :D

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42
on 2009-12-16 13:58:06
Someone made an ....interesting TF2 video to this...

Mein Gott! :shock:

That is..

Wow...

Words...

they fail me.

My mind is blown. One of the most amazing things in quite a while.

Aside from the fact that I will forever have WindWaker and Team Fortress 2 forever linked in my mind, this is an amazing piece; its so melody driven. It definitely feels like the theme to some ancient forgotten lore, highly grandiose, equal parts orchestral and medieval, with a great sense of destiny. This is a really beautiful piece.

p.s. Bonk! :3

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Lucentas
on 2009-10-18 00:32:03

Beautiful job. Another DS classic. He just took the source and ran with it.

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DarkeSword
on 2009-06-12 08:43:02
Someone made an ....interesting TF2 video to this...

Yeah I linked that in the TF2 thread a couple of months ago. Freakin' brilliant.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Nintendo , 2003, GCN)
Music by Hajime Wakai,Kenta Nagata,Koji Kondo,Toru Minegishi
Songs:
"The Legendary Hero"

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File Information


Name:
Legend_of_Zelda_The_Wind_Waker_Ancient_Hero_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,466,627 bytes
MD5:
099cd73e384378034ffe4cb6cfb2e17b
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:29

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