ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages 'Nayru's Love'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (Nintendo, 2001, GBC)
- ReMixer(s): Dhsu, GrayLightning
- Composer(s): Minako Adachi, Pure Sound Inc.
- Song(s): 'Title Theme'
- Posted: 2005-10-18, evaluated by the judges
Who is Nayru, and what exactly is his love? Dhsu, with an assist from Graylightning, is glad you asked:
"Yes, the introduction, is a verbatim cover of the OoT title intro. Yes, that was intentional. Right after that, the Oracle theme comes in, but it's over the OoT (or OoT-style) rolled chords, instead of the original single-note accompaniment. After that, you hear the main part of the OoT theme, and the accompaniment switches to arpeggios. Then it changes to the Oracle theme again, with some subtle OoT references at 1:29 and 1:48. Finally, we come to the OoT ending, which similar to the original but takes an interesting turn at 2:12 (I think it goes to an F# in the arrangement instead of a G).
And that's the song. It's a little simple on the left hand side and a little conservative on the right hand side, but I think if you compare it as a whole with the sources, you'll realize they're significantly different in feel and arrangement."
GrayLightning explains his role:
"After 3 different attempts with various versions, we're finally happy to submit the final version of it. I helped edit some of the midi aspects of the piece with some tweaking of the left hand sections, and note velocities. I also did the mixing and mastering with some eq, compression, reverb, etc."
This solo piano arrangement sounds like a theme they'd play in a film about someone who'd just been diagnosed with a terminal illness... in Autumn; as Brandon points out, it's really two rather conservative arrangements melded into one less conservative arrangement - the key is in the juxtapositionamifyingication... to be sure. Production is both crisp and warm simultaneously, and the performance displays solid dynamic range and control of tempo. It ends up feeling more like a Zelda 64 mix to me than Oracle of Ages, even if the melody is from the latter, as the progression is inherently dominant - and I spent a helluva lot of time watching the title sequence back when the former game first came out for the N64. Mr. Taub confesses to a softer side underneath that stony facade of bleak indifference:
"perhaps the most melancholy performance on this site. You know if you can break through Vig's icy shell and inject a little compassion into the charred stone that is his heart, you've done good."
Much like the jaded youngsters in the critically-acclaimed Care Bears Movie, who learn to love - and trust - with the help of psychedelically-colored carnivores, Jesse's cathartic breakthrough speaks to the strength of the mix's tone. That's what I'd say the strong suit is here - it's not a virtuoso performance, not an ingenious arrangement, but what it does quite effectively is use both themes to construct a third, descendant work that achieves a serene, reflective tone, with perhaps a hint of longing; I can certainly relate. Deceptively simple but openly emotive, this is a good example of a short, well-executed idea that doesn't try to be all things to all people but still confidently paints a picture.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - LinkFX on September 27, 2009
EDIT:
@LinkFX
Thanks
- a_d on September 21, 2009
The arrangement here is the winning aspect for the mix. I mean, I really, really love the arrangement. The two themes aren't just slapped together and forced to stick, nor are they mutilated to accommodate each other. They simply mesh in a really natural way, mainly because of the attributes of the piano and the skill of its player.
Dhsu has a great way of stripping down really fantastic melodies and flexing them to get the most out of them, without damaging the way we experience them or remember them. This mix is just another stellar addition to an impressive body of work. Love it.
- Marmiduke on February 1, 2009
Gray added some great touches with his available sounds to add much more realism and expression to the sound quality of the piano. I certainly miss the influence and camaraderie he added to the community.
But more importantly, David's composition was simply a sure-fire winner no matter what standard you look at it from. Whether it's a piece like this, EarthBound "Nirvana," or others, he's been excellent while keeping the pace demure and deliberate.
- Liontamer on May 22, 2008
i wanna learn how to play the piano now...
- GreyMage on November 16, 2007
http://www.myspace.com/viciousdogproductions
Check it out, ya'll.
- Dhsu on November 1, 2007
Also, whoever called it on Satie earlier, [i]nailed it[/i]. I can't believe I hadn't realized that before now, but it's unmistakable.
- gregfrost on October 21, 2006
- lady zelda on April 3, 2006
- Jimstander Drago on January 16, 2006
- Freedom III on January 4, 2006
- Freemind on December 1, 2005
Dhsu and Gray Lightning FTW!
- Malaki-LEGEND.sys on November 8, 2005
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