ReMix: Metroid 'Suite for Violin and Piano'

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Metroid

IGN writes:

"A few days ago we asked Samuel Ascher-Weiss (also known as Shnabubula), the guy who did the Wii Piano Medley, if he'd like to do something for Metroid's 25th anniversary this weekend. He got together with a violinist friend of his, and two days later they sent us this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06M49QZQ-HQ"

Very cool that IGN solicited & pimped some Shnabubula & got some extra eyes (and ears) on this amazing medley. Between this mix, Harmony of a Hunter, and Theophany's mix (and corresponding album), Samus certainly enjoyed some excellent musical representation on her 25th birthday. Perhaps because it functions as a retrospective and covers so much musical territory in a single arrangement - Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid Prime - this feels like the perfect way to end our weekly flood of Metroidy goodness.

It's ridiculously easy to forget there's only two musicians & two instruments while listening to this performance, because both Sam and Gabe are amazingly talented, and the arrangement brings out a variety of playing styles, articulations, rhythms, and interrelationships that result in a full, complete, diverse piece. Bow scraping, almost percussive violin accompaniment? Check. Pizzicato? Duh. Rapid-fire, virtuosic piano changeups? It's Sam, so... yeah. Spontaneous unison runs that temporarily tie both instruments together for fleeting, lighter-than-air moments of beauty? Hey man, that sounds a little fruity - but it's true.

I'd say that transitions in medleys are perhaps a little easier in solo or duo instrumentals, but they're still by no means simple, and the grace, poise, and emotion in some of the segues here is godly. This is the type of musicianship, craft, and power it takes to pull off a medley of this length & scope, and it's KINDA why we try to dissuade mixers from medleys in general; they require (or benefit greatly) from this caliber of musicianship and arrangement. Because we're far more familiar with him, it's tempting to heap all the praise on Sam, but Gabe's an amazing violinist, and this mix wouldn't be what it is if it weren't a duet between two artists of formidable, even scary, ability. Congrats to both of them on a classic, timeless tribute to the music of Metroid!

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I think my mind just broke. No, seriously, as someone who actually does like classical sounding music, especially ReMixes with piano and violin, this ReMix is unbelievably awesome! Lots of class and excellent production that sounds top-notch, this ReMix is worth every minute in my opinion. And with eight sources and a ton of variation shown (such as change of pace and direction, with amazing transitions), this ReMix should probably go down as one of those songs you put in an OCR classics or greatest hits realm. Not kidding.

- Crulex on November 7, 2012
It isn't very often that a mix can make me smile... ESPECIALLY when it comes to transitions between sources. I found myself smiling more and more as the mix progressed (especially at/during aforementioned transitions) Excellent playing from both mixers... or should I say artists? You guys are on top of your games. Please, for all of our sakes, continue what you're doing.

- Anti/elytS on June 30, 2012
A classical duet! I absolutely love it when a violin is played, and so this mix makes me pretty happy in itself. It is incredible that they pulled off a nice 10+ minute track out of Metroid music. You can definitely see the skill exuded in this mix, as any mistake in these two instruments stick out like a sore thumb and that these are the only two instruments highlighted. Great job by Gabe and Sam here!

- Bahamut on December 12, 2011
I think this very well could be my favorite mix on the entire site... and that's saying a lot! Very well done!

- radiantdreamer on September 14, 2011
http://thesaurus.com/browse/spectacular
Yeah, thanks for making this, it was aight.

- Fridge on September 13, 2011
As djp said in the write-up, a medley of this scope takes some serious talent. Fortunately, the two guys have that in spades, so we're treated to an amazing tribute to the series which has had consistently great soundtracks throughout its entire lifetime.
Beautiful.

- Martin Penwald on September 10, 2011
My head just sploded....Holy cow. RESPECT!

- SomeGuyMusic on September 7, 2011
Coming out of hiding because I have to say, this is just amazing stuff every time I listen.

- Trenthian on September 2, 2011
:-o This is awesome.

- chubas on August 29, 2011
Awesome. Master piece.

- Quizzman on August 27, 2011
shit's whack

- Gollgagh on August 14, 2011
djpretzel;801694 wrote: What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

I didn't think. it's just so good that it surpasses any possible thought process.
awesome

- Damashii!! on August 13, 2011
My jaw just about hit the floor when I first heard this on IGN. I'm really glad it's up here too. :D
(Man, those stings of the opening theme at the end...chills right up my spine.)

- Top Gun on August 13, 2011
I think this sums it up pretty well:
[IMG]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/biggiantcircles/facebook_you_like_this_-_basic.jpg[/IMG]

- big giant circles on August 13, 2011
wow... :-o

- ufo2222 on August 13, 2011