ReMix: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars 'Three Mushroom Dances'

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Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Jeremy Robson writes:

"This is an arrangement of three themes from Yoko Shimomura's Super Mario RPG soundtrack, similar in style to Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. It also contains a small quote from another Mario game, for those paying attention."

I must say, this does have the quality of Dvorak, and sounds like something we might have played in concert band back in high school. Well, technically, we didn't have strings, but you get the idea - it has a very "composed" feel to it, the type of orchestration where you can mentally picture the conductor's motions for tempo changes, tension, transitions, etc. You've got Bean Valley, Nimbus Land, and Forest Maze, intertwined with one another in a manner that does make them seem rather cohesive, and also like dances, with an abundance of moving staccato tuba and pizzicato bass as woodwinds duke it out for supremacy and then get overpowered by brass - which, speaking as a former low brass player myself, is how the world is meant to be (sorry, euphonium inferiority complex +1). Robson ain't afraid to employ the low brass generously, both in ensemble and solo format, and while the samples and velocities used continue to occassionally result in what some might call "blattiness", it's still nice to see the low b. in the house. Jeremy's not the best guy in the whole wide world at making his samples sound utterly believable, but they're definitey utilized effectively enough to let his arrangements, where he focuses his efforts, shine. Woodwind solos here are especially nice, weaving amongst supporting parts and themselves with grace and poise. This is a little different from Robson's other work, a little less epic and more intent on fulfilling the compositional concept of the stated inspiration for the piece, which it does a very admirable job of. SMRPG's OST seems to fit the context rather naturally, and the amount of variation and phrasing that's packed into these six and a half minutes is formidable - things are kept varied and momentum is maintained. Certain percussion and chromatic percussion could have used their levels either increased or reduced and stand out a bit (or don't) as a result, and on occassion as mentioned the brass is borderline problematic, but this is a style of orchestral composition that's not commonly attempted, it's unique, and Robson makes it work. Good stuff and lots of it.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Nice arrangement! I am a sucker for classical music, and I downloaded it before the song was over—high praise from me.
One problem: the ending was not worthy of this piece. The first time I was listening, I had no idea that the song had ended until seconds later. A boisterous piece like that shouldn't end on a whimper. Other than that, a well-executed piece. Keep up the good work.

- genius11433 on August 10, 2009
This is probably my favorite Super Mario RPG ReMix, and the only symphonic piece of its kind on this site, and I love it. The forest theme is covered absolutely beautifully and how I always wanted to hear it, and everything else is a lush and vibrant palette of instrumentation.

- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Members on the first page stated that it could be played by "high school band," and that "should be telling of something." Ummmm... that shouldn't be telling of anything - there are masterpieces for a secondary school wind ensemble and one should not downplay the legitimacy of "high school band" :P
This isn't to say that I don't agree with the fact that the piece is very wind-heavy and could probably be played by a wind band, which I think is a strength. I hate when symphony composers just cake everything on for strings - if you have all of these colours for orchestral, you'd better use them!
I think that Jeremy's done exceptional work here, most particularly at the first transition (bassoon bass line; awesome writing for clarinet and oboe, I hear a little bit of Mahler in there...). I think that the strongest element of the piece is that it DOESN'T rely completely on the string section; in fact, it's mostly played by everyone else in the (synthesized) orchestra.
The ending is a little bit weak for such a boisterous arrangement - I think that the loudest part is the first/second repetition of the first theme. Still, brilliant remix, really enjoy.

- siven7 on June 6, 2007
Very impressive classical style piece. I love how he cut the mixes together.

- DragonFireKai on March 19, 2007
Hitman wrote: it was a well composed and a well-rounded song. this one deserves a thumbs up. :D
I agree plus i'm a sucker for orchestral remixes. Awesome job.

- Dr.d on December 10, 2006
Apologies for reviving an old thread if it's frowned upon but I'd like to throw my two cents in here. This is probably one of my more played remixes at the moment. I love the Forest theme. I'm a sucker for orchestral arrangements, well anything with a good flute part. My only iffy note is the volume is too soft and the strings are a tad muddy. But it's definitely more than I could do so I should shut up. Excellent job! I wish my highschool band would play something like this.

- Abstractication on July 25, 2005
Jeremy has to be one of my favourite mixers on this site. I love how this remix was done, especially because I really can see a school band playing this. In terms of the mix itself, my favourite bit is probably around 5:34; the change of tempo/style here is great. I really like the Forest Maze section in general, the bassoon at the beginning, the oboe interjection, it's all good. I really don't have too many negatives to say about this mix, outside the slightly off mastering.
Good job once again, Jeremy Robson!

- Bass Clef Man on May 22, 2005
This is a great listen. As a SMRPG fan, this is pretty sweet. Jeremy Robson, you're awesome. You always put in actual effort and creativity to arrange with good samples, which is why you are one of my favs on this site(as you also inspire me to arrange orchestral style to no avail). That probably doesn't mean anything coming from some kid, but yea. GJ :)

- Blake on May 20, 2005
This is a really great arrangement! The beginning actually sounds a lot like the famous Russian Dance movement from the Nutcracker. Like djp said, you can easily imagine a conductor actually conducting this.
The sounds samples aren't fantastic, but that actually doesn't bother me so much. I just think the "hall" sounds muddy, overall. The parts aren't clear, and there is very little dynamic contrast. Even the lighter parts sound about the same as the middle and ending sections, which should probably reach fortissimo.
What I especially like about your arrangement, though, is its sensitivity. I feel like I get a great sense of what you, the composer, had in mind. :D

- pixietricks on May 7, 2005
This track goes from great to fantastic right when the Forest Maze theme kicks in. That's just... incredible. Bravo!

- Zekian on May 6, 2005
I really, REALLY enjoy this mix. The variation of tempos, styles, instrumentation, and mood are quite inviting. I want to keep this on loop, but I don't want to overplay it!
I can say that the beginning strings sounded a bit shaky because of the accelerated tempo + the samples. But that's my only real quibble. I love the orchestral setup. You have done a fantastic job putting some of the best music from the Mario series into a truely classic ReMix. I hold this music close to my heart because of the personality, the humor, and the musicality. You've more than captured all of this. Very nice job. You had best keep up the good work, because I need more orchestral ReMixes in my collection!
I also enjoyed the SMW Forest lick you put in there. It was a humorous and extremely effective transition in my oppinion.
Keep it up! This is awesome!

- AMDgeek on May 5, 2005
I really liked this piece. Lots of nice composition ideas and expansion of the original material. Good work.
On another note: for those of you reviewing, make sure you're commenting on the remix, not on why you're pissed there isn't a sequel to SMRPG, or proposing a SMRPG project, etcetc. :whatevaa:

- DarkeSword on May 5, 2005
anyway
nice track it is well made, but
its like an infinity long!
[editted]

- Jabberbox on May 5, 2005
I've been a fan of Jeremy Robson for years now and have yet to be disappointed by his work.
While this piece is more whimsical and perhaps more disjointed than his previous pieces, the individual sections work so very well that the slight flaws are easily overlooked.
Robson is a master arranger and composer, and this latest work hopefully will provide a little insight to the work of this man. I urge you all to check out his other pieces, as they all manage to maintain complex and emotional orchestral pieces.
Nice work, Jeremy. Keep on keeping on.

- Meiguoren on May 5, 2005
This is a very interesting piece in the sense that it changes themes rather rapidly. Jeremy does the transitions very well. Great job.
-Chrono721

- Chrono721 on May 4, 2005

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