ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Cantata for Dancing: I. Mors ego sum mortis'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Derek Oren, Jeremy Robson
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Dancing Mad'
- Posted: 2007-05-29, evaluated by the judges
Epic. Robson teams up with newcomer Derek Oren for an FF6 ReMix unlike anything you've heard, featuring the most choral emphasis of any submission I can think of offhand. Mr. Robson writes:
"It's been a while since my last submission, and this time I teamed up one Derek Oren - who's a great sample artist way beyond my abilities with that sort of thing - in order to create a multi-movement cantata based on everyone's favourite Dancing Mad from Final Fantasy 6."
Derek writes:
"Working with Jeremy on this project was a huge honor. When we first started working on this project together I knew right away that with his composing, arranging talents and my sampling and editing skills we would produce something great. Most challenging part of this collaboration was getting the choir to blend with the orchestra. Once we got that taken care of it was a breeze. Both Jeremy and I hope that you enjoy the first movement of themes surrounding the character Kefka from Final Fantasy VI (my favorite)"
The choir pretty much dominates the entire piece, with a Latin lyric that gives the necessary timbral variety. It's wonderfully tricky to get this sort of natural language feel for even a few words, so putting together an entire lyric must have been a good bit of work, and in this instance the arrangement demands it and succeeds because of it. Without actual words, just "oohs" and "aahs", this would be an entirely different and lesser composition. With this added dimension, it's a serious, dramatic, and uber-compelling work. This is important from a mix evaluation perspective as well, since other aspects of the arrangement stick fairly close to the source material, which is of course fairly familiar to most. Mr. Oji writes:
"For the most part, the arrangement held fast to the structure of the original, but the writing is nicely expanded and personalized with epic-sounding spices."
There's no denying that this was a very effective collaboration; Robson's always had orchestral composition chops, but Derek's contribution of more refined sampling skills, and in this case particularly the impressive choral work, adds icing to an already satisfying cake. The result is a breathtaking, epic take on Kefka that plays to the strengths of both artists and channels cinematic grandeur and classical power in a cauldron of choral colors.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Lucentas said:I totally agree! I didn't know these two ReMixes even existed (because, due to being numbered over 1500, they weren't in the torrents) until I looked at the Dancing Mad page on the FFWiki, where it lists these two (along with waxingeloquent's two). And I'm so glad I've found them, because they are incredible. We deffo need more of these!
This. Arrangement. Is. Epic.
I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.
I think everyone in the audience would die from the awesomeness though.
Live performance would be cool, but I think the audience would more than die... they'd all probably a splode!
Oh, and what are the "blips" at 2:15 and 3:59? I couldn't hear them. Has the ReMix been reuploaded with it fixed, or am I playing it far too quietly? :P
- Sorceror Nobody on April 21, 2009
Platonist;518293 wrote: can't stop listening to these 2!
had them on my previous cellphone for a year and never grew tired of them... more orchestral pieces for OCR! =P
Yes I agree more quality orchestral pieces. And also thanks for listening. :-P
- derako on March 14, 2009
can't stop listening to these 2!
had them on my previous cellphone for a year and never grew tired of them... more orchestral pieces for OCR! =P
- Platonist on March 14, 2009
had them on my previous cellphone for a year and never grew tired of them... more orchestral pieces for OCR! =P
- Platonist on March 14, 2009
Lord_Syruss_Khalai;291979 wrote: That's really great news. I love this piece, and can't wait to hear more of your combined efforts.
Also, the person talking about the blip at, what 2:15, is right. I do hear something, whether it's supposed to be there or not, I don't know, but I did hear what he was talking about. There is actually a softer one at 3:59. But agian, it could just be the music and it stands out to me.
~Syruss
I hear it @ 2:15 and 3:59 also. It's an unmistakable sound. The first time was loud as hell and forgivable, the second time was... whatever. Quality control is essential is what I'm getting at. However, If I'm just hearing things, feel free to bash me or something. I'm pretty sure I hear the error sound.
- geffrod on January 28, 2009
*snaps fingers*
The Fire Temple from Ocarina of Time.
It just hit me. This mix, at least the intro, reminds me of the Fire temple from OoT.
Very epic mix and highly temple worthy.
That would be the Coolest Thing Evar! :shock:
- 42 on January 25, 2009
The Fire Temple from Ocarina of Time.
It just hit me. This mix, at least the intro, reminds me of the Fire temple from OoT.
Very epic mix and highly temple worthy.
Lucentas;482921 wrote:
I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.
That would be the Coolest Thing Evar! :shock:
- 42 on January 25, 2009
This. Arrangement. Is. Epic.
I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.
I think everyone in the audience would die from the awesomeness though.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.
I think everyone in the audience would die from the awesomeness though.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
What a great arrangement! That was absolutely
epic, magic and simply amazing. It's hard to
believe... How did you compose this song? This game makes me so
nostalgic, this is one of my favourite song from this OST, and I
also like Kefka's character. Great use of choir,
in the second part I loved the use of organ (my favourite
instrument). I recently devote time to music, especially classical
music, video games music and I learn the piano, that's why I have a
long trail to clock up your skill and your level.
You have a great talent, I was waiting for a piece like this for years. I wish you good cheer for your next compositions. ;-)
(Sorry for my possible spelling errors, I am french :razz:)
- Orochimanda on April 24, 2008
You have a great talent, I was waiting for a piece like this for years. I wish you good cheer for your next compositions. ;-)
(Sorry for my possible spelling errors, I am french :razz:)
- Orochimanda on April 24, 2008
Well since I listened to the second movement first I thought I
would listen to the one that started it and wow you guys this is
amazing. I mean yes in both pieces you can tell that they were made
with samples but were you trying to hide that? To a person without
a trained ear you couldn't tell the difference... Anyways props to
both of you for putting so much hard work into these pieces of
music. They have enriched my life and inspired me and that takes a
lot. Much love to both of you.
Laura
- nodweeb on December 13, 2007
Laura
- nodweeb on December 13, 2007
I realize that this arrangement is a little old for commenting, but
I want to anyway because I love this piece, as well as the
second.
First off, let me say that when the choir first came in, I felt a tingle in my ears and down my spine. Prolly because I have never heard a remix use a choir that sounded this realistic... in fact, it DOES sound like I'm sitting in the back of a concert hall listening to this being performed! However...
My favorite part of Dancing Mad is the final part of Movement One... where the piece picks up with the dramatic hits and so forth... For some reason (maybe my ears are just broken) at 1:42 when the xylophone comes in to play those (sixteenth-note?) runs, it seems to just barely lag behind the beat... I mean, just barely. But then around 1:46 when the xylophone stops and the strings play a more dominant quarter-note rhythm, whatever time was lost gets picked back up... After that... well, it's just back to being perfect.
Thanks for this wonderful submission!
- StandingInMotion on October 10, 2007
First off, let me say that when the choir first came in, I felt a tingle in my ears and down my spine. Prolly because I have never heard a remix use a choir that sounded this realistic... in fact, it DOES sound like I'm sitting in the back of a concert hall listening to this being performed! However...
My favorite part of Dancing Mad is the final part of Movement One... where the piece picks up with the dramatic hits and so forth... For some reason (maybe my ears are just broken) at 1:42 when the xylophone comes in to play those (sixteenth-note?) runs, it seems to just barely lag behind the beat... I mean, just barely. But then around 1:46 when the xylophone stops and the strings play a more dominant quarter-note rhythm, whatever time was lost gets picked back up... After that... well, it's just back to being perfect.
Thanks for this wonderful submission!
- StandingInMotion on October 10, 2007
Jam Stunna;319077 wrote: YES. I wait with much anticipation for part II. This is pretty much how I dreamed Dancing Mad would sound if orchestrated. Excellent, excellent work.
Thank you for the compliment. Hopefully I will get this choir finished and submit it to the judges soon. Again thank you for your support
-Derek-
- derako on September 18, 2007
derako;308376 wrote: Hey guys and gals. A number of my posts were moved to another forum since they didn't really have anything to do with the first movement. So if you want updates on how the second movement is going, please go to the following link:
http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11353
I'll do a weekly update until the 2nd movement is submitted to the judges.
-Derek-
YES. I wait with much anticipation for part II. This is pretty much how I dreamed Dancing Mad would sound if orchestrated. Excellent, excellent work.
- Jam Stunna on September 16, 2007
Hey guys and gals. A number of my posts were moved to another forum
since they didn't really have anything to do with the first
movement. So if you want updates on how the second movement is
going, please go to the following link:
http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11353
I'll do a weekly update until the 2nd movement is submitted to the judges.
-Derek-
- derako on August 18, 2007
http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11353
I'll do a weekly update until the 2nd movement is submitted to the judges.
-Derek-
- derako on August 18, 2007
I usually don't post comments in the review forums, but I just had
to come here to tell this is positively the most amazing Mix I've
ever heard on OCR =O
- Uboichi2 on July 25, 2007
- Uboichi2 on July 25, 2007
This piece is highly addictive. Love the opening work, by the
way.
From 2:02 to 2:35 caught my attention. Don't know why, but it's a good thing, trust me.8-)
...It ended rather quick to me, but I keep forgetting that it's only but part one.
Can't wait to hear the next installment.
- Shining Mirage on July 12, 2007
From 2:02 to 2:35 caught my attention. Don't know why, but it's a good thing, trust me.8-)
...It ended rather quick to me, but I keep forgetting that it's only but part one.
Can't wait to hear the next installment.
- Shining Mirage on July 12, 2007
So here I was, updating my OCR list. It's a pretty multitask-heavy
activity, but when I ran into this, it came to a screeching
halt.
I must say that technically, this is the most impressive electronically produced orchestral piece I have ever heard. Hands down. Jeremy Seoule has nothing on you Derek :)
Greatly looking forward to the next movements.
- Gilrad on July 11, 2007
I must say that technically, this is the most impressive electronically produced orchestral piece I have ever heard. Hands down. Jeremy Seoule has nothing on you Derek :)
Greatly looking forward to the next movements.
- Gilrad on July 11, 2007
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