ReMix: Chrono Cross 'Improvisation on a Moment Seized by Time'

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Game: Chrono Cross (Square, 1999, PS1)
ReMixer(s): DrumUltimA
Composer(s): Yasunori Mitsuda
Song(s): 'Prisoners of Fate'
Posted: 2011-10-17, evaluated by the judges

This is a gorgeous, intimate solo piano arrangement from DrumUltima; I'm gonna let him do most of the talking:

"People Seized with Life was always one of my favorite pieces of video game music. The first time I played Chrono Cross, this music hit me like a brick--even though it's extremely unmanly for me to admit, I'm pretty sure it brought some tears to my eyes. I had started a more involved remix of it years ago, but never finished it. Perhaps I will someday.

I was supposed to hang out with a bunch of friends last night but they all bombed on me because I don't actually have any friends. But I was in a music-making mood anyway, and with this chunk of free time I had, decided to work with my relatively new set-up in my Lawrence, Kansas-based apartment. I had been listening to a track from the demo CD of our own Will "bustatunez" Roget that had some serious Mitsuda influence in it, and it inspired me to revisit this track again.

This source has always reminded me of the frustrating reality that any moment we experience in our lives can only live on as a memory, and no matter how hard we try to live in these memories, it's impossible to escape the reality that they're no longer real and that we can never go back. Or maybe I just have a nostalgia complex. Regardless, that's where the name comes from."

I've missed seeing Doug at East Coast meetups since he moved away, but at least we can still know him through his works. Mitsuda's music is full of emotion to begin with, but when an arranger/performer really makes a connection with his melodies, the results are often breathtaking; this is no exception. As a side note, I think it's far manlier to be okay & secure with expressing emotion, especially with music like this, than to feel repressed or obliged to conform to some bullshit machismo idea of what's manly or not. Larry writes:

"halc summed it up well: you're thinking it's just going to be a straightforward piano cover to start, but the additional elements of interpretation flow in as time goes by and it all develops nicely. Not that I actually expected an uninterpretive cover from Doug, but it was nice to get taken on that ride. Solid work, and nice to hear you on the keys again, Doug! Come back out east when you can!"

Very personal, stirring stuff; Doug's good people, and he has a musical soul, and it always comes out no matter what he does, but this one's a little closer & a little heavier, and connects on a deeper level.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Ah, man, solo-pianos always get to me when beautifully played, and this one is gorgeous as DJP said. The emotion carried through this song is pretty powerful, and if I was invested in anything Chrono, I might have felt it even more. Honestly, I really don't know what else I can possibly say other than that for an ReMix on the keys, this is exceptional.

- Crulex on November 15, 2012

DrumUltimA;852562 wrote: I missed a note :(

Boo this man!
:D

- 454Casull on April 5, 2012

454Casull;852462 wrote: What happened at 3:31? Intentional dissonance?

I missed a note :(

- DrumUltimA on April 1, 2012

What happened at 3:31? Intentional dissonance?

- 454Casull on April 1, 2012

DJP used the words "gorgeous" and "intimate" in his write-up, I think they are quite fitting. Very beautiful solo piano piece; one of the best on OCR IMO.

- Martin Penwald on January 10, 2012

This song starts out slow, but picks up eventually and winds down. It feels stretched out IMO and would have a better effect if condensed IMO, although this is an improv. I don't have too much else to say about it to be honest, it's a bit of a simple arrangement & pretty straightforward as far as songs go. I think it loses a lot of its heavy feel that the original has and doesn't endear as strongly as it, partly due to how long it is without enough variance.

- Bahamut on December 5, 2011

Like I said in a different thread, CC changed my life and I always listen to the soundtrack as often as I can. This piece was always one of my favorite tracks and the arrangement is awesome. Great work!

- Yami on October 30, 2011

This arrangement is just amazing. It gave me goosebumps. A lot of love went into this mix and I really appreciate it. Keep making great music Doug.

- Obtuse on October 22, 2011

Ever since I first got it back in 2003 I've been using the Chrono Cross OST as my constant source background music for doing schoolwork (17 times through so far this semester). This remix, however, is just too beautiful to use in that fashion. It causes one cease all else that he is doing and listen.

- Tawnos on October 21, 2011

I think I've played Chrono Cross maybe 5 to 6 times now, and that moment- the fight with Miguel and all it's implications, the mere ghosts of memories forever doomed to see the future but never continue into it, the everlong battle between those resigned to their fates and those who yet defy it. I can recall every single detail, poignant as they were, of that scene. It was one of (four now- MGS3/4 and Valkyria Chronicles being the others) scenes in a video game that made me cry.
This piece takes me all the way back once more.
Mitsuda's work on Chrono Cross is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of VG music compositions. While one may argue that some games have more technically complex songs or one or two really BIG songs, every piece in CC's collection has emotional attachment and the ability to transcend the location it frames. Your remix has that same quality, and for that I applaud you.

- Yasuhiko on October 19, 2011

Oh man, I know exactly what you mean about getting hit with a brick when this first plays. I haven't seen this part in ten years and yet I think I can still picture the sunset and the bell from Leene Square, with the ghosts of Crono and crew running around...
Anyway, very nice homage to that moment, and others we've lost. Some of Mitsuda's tunes are absolutely made for nostalgia, and I say it's okay to indulge in that from time to time. Thanks for giving us a fresh way to do so.

- CarnCarby on October 19, 2011

This acknowledges the weight of the burdens we all bear - and it does something to help lighten it.

- WesternZypher on October 18, 2011

My brain is broken. I'm not able to describe how awesome this track is. I just cant find the words...
Beautiful work, as usual, sir!

- Blue Magic on October 18, 2011

I've been waiting unknowingly for this remix on OCR since I found OCR back in 2004. This mix is everything I ever expected from a remix of one of my favorite gaming tunes ever.
Thanks for this one, it's really amazing.

- Delpheous on October 18, 2011

This is an excellent piece, and I believe it does a good job of stirring up all kinds of memories within someone's heart. When I was going through my music library to pick out music for my wedding, this was a standout piece that I wanted everybody to hear before the wedding itself took place. So while it was background music pre-ceremony, it was a part of my wedding, and was intentionally the one right before the bridal party entered. So this song is now connected with wonderful memories for me.

- MaxFrost on October 18, 2011