ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Memories from the Wind Scene'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Christian Pacaud
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Yearnings of the Wind'
- Posted: 2005-10-11, evaluated by the judges
Damn Anaheim Angels... ahh, well, there's always next year... Beautiful, striking, and his first solo piano ReMix, Christian writes of his latest submission:
"CRNO TRIGGAR REEMIX !!!!111omg...
Seriously, this is an arrangement I did for the Chrono Trigger Piano Collections project on the SquareSound forums.
Those with eidetic memories or particularly firm grasps on the cumulative OCR compendium to date will note that kLuTz's 600 A.D. in Piano covered the same theme with a solo piano arrangement as well, which the judges mention in their writeups but which didn't impact their overall decisions. There's enough differences that I don't think either mix runs the risk of sounding like it's re-treading the other's tracks, regardless of chronological order. To generalize, Pacaud's mix is more flamboyant, perhaps a bit more buoyant too, as while there are softer passages, the dominant tone is up-tempo, forte stuffs, with plenty of underlying runs dotting the landscape. My favorite section is from 2'07" to 2'25", which showcases the downright nifty chomaticism and ornamentation he employs throughout, but also pays more careful attention to dynamics. The recording is such that you might have a hard time determining whether it's live or Memorex, real or Maybeline, as though it's actually sampled, the performance is human, the piano sample high quality, and the reverb clear without being too perfect. I'd be interested in which sample this is; it's one of the better emulations I've heard, especially considering the large number of held, nested sustains. Brandon brings the love early:
"There’s much to enjoy here. The arrangement is wonderfully lively, the performance is masterful and there are tons of melodic variations on the theme packed into just under 4 mins. No section feels underdeveloped, the build, climax and resolution are all very pronounced and well executed, and as a result I actually think that this mix benefits from its brevity."
But also makes some 'plaints 'bout the dynamics, and the ending as well, before indicating that even with these gripes, it's still strongsauce:
"I have to say that the final note that hangs for 13 seconds feels odd and should be faded sooner. In the end though, my gripes are not enough to warrant a NO. This mix will make a fine addition to the volumes of Chrono Trigger mixes and will add one more solo piano performance to my personal collection."
I didn't mind the ending so much; there's a boatload of notes packed into this humdinger, so I thought giving the final chord some breathing room achieved distance from the compositional fray, so to speak. Dynamics are probably the main nitpick I'd raise - there's no question that things are varied, and Christian doesn't even come close to cheating us out of a very full, pouncing fortissimo, but the quieter sections never feel like they've fully retreated from the battlefield into relative warmth and recuperation. In other words, the louds are certainly loud enough, but the softs could be a bit softer... in McDLT terms, it certainly keeps the hot side hot, but the cold side ranges from cool to lukewarm. However, there's plenty of piano arrangements that invert that balance, so this might even be a little refreshing from that perspective. At any rate, it's largely mitigated by a fantastic performance that's just plain fun to mentally follow along with, as Mr. P goes all over the place but never meanders, and shows off some impressive dexterity, both physical and compositional.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Chitaku on April 29, 2009
--Eino
- evktalo on December 11, 2007
I actually prefer this one moreso than 600AD in Piano, because it's much more interpretive. It's just a whole lot more fun and energetic.
- Jaybell on August 7, 2007
- DragonFireKai on March 4, 2007
Shit, I think I would be running screaming the other way. If you did another cover in that kind of way. But I envy your talent, in playing an instrument. So that is the most positive thing, I can say about your version of that theme. Since I don´t have much positivity about this piano piece, since I feel it is utter rape of a very fucking great melody.
but well, to save my own ass, then it is my opinion. and normally I am not that critical about a melody. But here I feel (possibly like the only one), that this version isn´t my cup of tea at all.
- WolverineDK on January 22, 2007
Yeah, I liked it. The piano sample is incredible, the sequencing is dope; it's lively and full of contrast; it differs and it doesn't. I give the thumbs up, eh.
- meccaneer on March 28, 2006
More!! =)
- kLuTz on December 7, 2005
- Darkmetamorphasis on December 1, 2005
But in all honesty, I don't care because they both are freakin awesome.
Good stuff.
Great take on timeless source material.
- Dramon_Killer on November 1, 2005
jorgandar wrote: Well done & arranged. The playing is very nice but the recording is...well I can tell you're in a small room because of the echo. Not sure what you can do about that when recording live piano.
It's completely sequenced by hand actually. Good stuff, eh?
- Liontamer on October 31, 2005
- jorgandar on October 31, 2005
- Eclipse_Wargod on October 22, 2005
Don't get me wrong, the piano playing was superb; lots of incredible progressions, and a great oneuppuns from the original stuff. But, in my opinion, there was just a lot going on...sure, it sounded good. But, it just didn't seem that there was enough structure to support it.
Maybe if it was drawn out more, where things could take more time to flow, it would have made an impact aside from a damn good pianist. But, overall good work. Just didn't hit me right, though.
I'd love to see your take on other popular songs, though. I find your style fascinating.
- Burger Deluxe on October 17, 2005
Anyways ,it's played out with adequate skill and precision, and even though i personally didn't shout out with joy listening..it's definitly worth a try doing so.
- RimFrost the Tourianist on October 14, 2005
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