djpretzel Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aureolius Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 AT LONG LAST! THE REMIX I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! I am glad someone finally decided to re-interpret this song. As for the recording quality, I really don't have much of a gripe with it. It sounds clean enough to me. I feel that the slight lack of recording quality adds a nice, old-feeling to the piece. I do have a gripe with the length, though. I feel that so much more could have been elaborated here, and the short two-minute piece hardly does the original justice. Still, I feel that it is a nice addition to the massive bank of ocremixes, and will please the ears of many music goers. .....and as for the remixers name.....I am slightly confused. An email address? Is that his name, or really his email address? Anyhow........ LONG LIVE CASTLEVANIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan8bit Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 At last, A Symphony of the Night ReMix that is from the actual game play! Well, in terms of quality, the mix is a tad quiet, but I think it's fine. The hum might've been able to be removed in CoolEdit. As for the composition, I thought it was really good. I liked the stronger and lower notes at about 1:23. Then it ends with a quick tapping of the keys and a low note, where I felt it could've picked up and gone on a bit more. Overall, a well composed piece of music in regards to the actual library tune. And good to show people that the music can indeed be arranged from this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 it had occured to me that the "DJ jimmy the leaf" sotn remix didnt sound like anything from the game (and i have the soundtrack).... anyway about this one...very cool i though... the recording quality to me suggests a nice analog warmth... and the little bit of distortion on the piano reminds me of something kinda... maybe a midi keyboard... kinda brings me back to the days of doom.... for some reason... very talented dude..... my group has a SOTN remix comming up semi soon (teaser teaser!)... hope it sounds as acomplished as this one..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougzee Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 Im inclined to agree with Ryan8bit. The mix really shines at 1:22/1:23, where it kicks it into high gear as in the true Library song. And yea, the only gripe thus far is the length of the piece. It could be a bit longer, but other than that its possibly the best Piano remix of any C: SotN theme I've yet heard, and I've heard "Crystal Teardrop", "Door to the Holy Spirits," and "Dance of Pales". Good work on the Mix. Much appreciated for us hardcore Castlevania fans, those of us who have been crying and pining over the fact that there is an absurd lack of Castlevania Symphony of the Night remixes. Yea im babbling. Good mix. I really love it. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakthielbar Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 I applaud Mr. Contraveos on this amazing piece of work. Though I would have loved to hear this piece of music last a lot longer, what is there is superb. Now, this probably isn't the place to say this, but in Pretzel's description of this song, he mentions that Disco Dan Cabrera said how it is more like Chopin than Scriabin. I had never heard of Scriabin, myself, so I had to immediately go and find some of his music. I found one song, though, that this ReMix has many similarities to. Scriabin's Etude in D# Minor, Op. 8, No. 12, Patetico. Specifically, though, I would like to point out that the very ends of both songs are exactly the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 ArtemisJaeger: thanks, and you're correct. I chose the very etude myself and thought that it would suit the original quite well. DiscoDan said that this sounded like Chopin, which is true--early Scriabin was *heavily* influenced by Chopin (evident especially in the waltzes and in the Sonata-Fantasy). The endings of Scriabin's etude and my remix are extremely similar but not identical. I hope, for your own sake, that you can find the recording of Scriabin's etude Op 12 No 8 from Vladimir Horowitz's 1986 Moscow concert recording. EASILY the best interpretation of this piece, surpassing all of Horowitz-himself's earlier recordings and everyone else's. This was the recording that inspired me to fit the SotN piece to the etude, and judging from the reponse, it worked pretty well. To cover myself, I probably should have noted in my submission notes that the ideas for the remix are heavily grounded in Scriabin's etude. MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilhead Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Really wonderful... it's a shame it's so muffled!! To some extent it gives it a somewhat erie feel, but that can accomplished in other ways. Either way, you are a very talent pianist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rufous Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 Terrific stuff - varied, interesting; and to me, educational. I've been reading up on Scriabin, and having only recently developed an interest in classical music, this is a great incentive to explore the subject. I'd love to hear more stuff like this. My only criticism is the same as anyone else's who'll listen to this - it would've been greater, longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazorRamon Posted January 9, 2003 Share Posted January 9, 2003 I heard this remix back before it was done on the message boards of VGMIX.com and I'm glad to hear it's finished. It is in way better quality than it was before though. I like this guy's work. As a fellow pianist and a huge fan of video game music, I kind of look up to this guy in a way. This remix is a great representation on the Library tune from SotN. Yes, it could've been longer but still, it's a great piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson77 Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Awesome...it's nice to hear a mix so far departed from the usual OCR (not that that's bad ).This mix puts a new light on the original theme without changing it to the point where it no longer resembles the original. That's about as good as it gets, I think. MC: what equipment did you use to perform and record this piece? I'd also propose that the overall volume was kept down in order to prevent clipping on the louder sections of the piece. MP3 encoding will do funny things to sound sometimes - particularly if there's a bit of noise in the music already. Also, I'm sure that any sound with transients as strong as a piano plays hell with the encoder. But overall, yes - two thumbs up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 12, 2003 Share Posted January 12, 2003 Thank you for your replies. I used a Roland XV-88 to record this piece. Everything is analog and I don't have any good recording equipment--hence the complaints about the quality! If my equipment/software condition improves, I might re-record this piece to take advantage of that. thanks again, and best wishes. MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson77 Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Well, the synth is incredible! There were relatively few moments where I could tell I was listening to a synth - and even then it was subtle. As for the recording - it's minor, really. Nothing a Digital Audio Labs CardD and some decent cabling can't fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgx Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Hey- Thumbs up on this sweet mix! The skill you have is quite evident! Which makes me glad that we are now going to try a collab on that Panzer Dragoon Orta tune! Keep up the good work (especially for me )! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayLightning Posted April 5, 2003 Share Posted April 5, 2003 MC is the best. Powerful, and dramatic. Great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Dan Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 I think I didn't review this before because I had never played the game, but after playing the game (and checking the site to see there are a mere 2 mixes on the site from the game, and only one from the actual game (for shame!)) I felt it was necessary to listen with fresh ears. This game, SOTN, has me under the influence. I don't know what it is, but it's a soundtrack so varied, between classical, baroque, metal, techno, ambient, jazz, it's all there. I'm just ... guh. Anyway, the arrangement. (I refuse to call a song in this style a "mix" or "remix") Arrangement, performance, and interpretation (which I guess also falls under arrangement, since the performer is also the composer in this case) are ALL top notch. My gripe, like others would be: 1) the recording is VERY quiet. Turn it up too loud and the hiss gets loud with it. I realize mic'ing a piano is not a simple task given standard home equipment, so this can be looked past. Plus there are some pretty crappy recordings of professional performers and orchestras out there that are on CDs that you PAY for, for crying out loud. 2) the length is short, but about right for a piece of that style. But it would be nice to see the theme expanded and played upon more, but that would fall more under a theme-and-variations type of piece. But once again, a nice interpretation and a flawless performance. Thanks for putting at least one piece from this great soundtrack up here for the masses. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royal Sovereign Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 Forgive me, but I'm disappointed. Taking the Wood-Carving Partita and turning it into semi-dissonant, meandering piano piece is quite a letdown. The talent is there, but the remix is SO divergent from the original one could pass this off as just that -- an original composition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatecrasher Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 I have never heard the original song, but since i saw Scriabin in the title i decided to give it a shot. It's a really good variation of Scriabin's Etude in D sharp minor. And yes, Vladimir Horowitz's interpretation is remarkable. Good work MC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaximander Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 I am absolutely horrified by the tepid reception of this piece. Yes, it's too quiet... but since when have production values replaced musicianship and originality as paramount qualifications of good music? To me, this arrangement both embodies and transcends the purpose of ocremix. It's a piece that is powerful, reminiscent of the original, yet capable on its own terms and worthy of respect. But it's also ethereal; like the most perfect ice sculpture whose beauty slips away even as you cherish it forever. The dissonance is fervent and passive, the melody jarring and enthralling. The music here is not the childish musing of an adolescent; it's the product of a mature musician spreading his wings to soar. MC puts on display a raw talent for music that shames most professionals. I am astounded into a state of almost childlike wonder by the profundity of musically apt individuals milling around on this website. Even so, I place this piece, and MC, on the top of the pyramid. Please, Mr. Contraveos, continue to awe me. Music like this makes everything worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladiator Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 I've had this one burnt and in my car for a long time now. This is not something you chill to, but the work done to empathize with a real Scriabin etude is amazing. As for the recording quality, I myself feel as though it sounds like an old recording, perhaps being played on a phonograph. If it just had some scratchy fx, maybe the softness problem would have been overlooked in favor of authenticity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelloegg Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I thought that this piece of music was really cool. Especially since I've recently been getting into those classical violin and piano pieces. So I personally appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePENT Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 I am absolutely horrified by the tepid reception of this piece. Likewise. This piece is actually way too good to be so casually reviewed. Granted, it's a bit on the short side, but it's packed with complex arrangement, fantastic musicianship, and it's just an incredible piano piece to listen to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kojius Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 I can't really say anything that hasn't been said, but I still feel I should give my compliments where they're so utterly due. Quality aside (pft, you should hear some of my miserable recordings~) this piece is brilliantly arranged; the whole thing is practically rewritten. You've found the perfect balance for an arrangement, as it is familiar enough that I recognize it -knowing- the piece from which is is derived, but at the same time so innovative that if I wasn't told it was from Castlevania, I might just think it was an entirely new piece. It may be lost on a lot of listeners, but thus far, this could well be the most intelligent remix I've listened to. (Also: If anyone knows of any sheet music, kindly point me in the general direction~) -Koji Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePENT Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 (Also: If anyone knows of any sheet music, kindly point me in the general direction~) Seconded!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansAndrew Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Like life, this remix if fleeting. Really, I think the arrangement is so great that another minute of exploration would have been lovely. Of course i'm going to say something about the recording quality, which is unfortunate that it's so muffled, but the arrangement is really good. Though they weren't especially elegant in stating their opinions, I can see why the judges were torn on this. Great dynamic contrasts, and the source is apparent throughout, but radically ornamented. Cool stuff, I really enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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