The Zelda Symphony is Coming to Phoenix

Just recently, tickets have come on sale for the Legend of Zelda symphony that will be touring the United States over the course of this year in order to continue the celebration of 25th Anniversary of the Legend of Zelda.

Dubbed The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, the symphony will be coming here to Phoenix for two days to play at the Orpheum Theatre on April 20-21.

I could not be more excited at this announcement. To hear the music in-game is one thing. Hearing the music cascade forth from a live symphony should be marvelous.

I wrote a previous post on the importance of music in games and the Legend of Zelda is one of a few game franchises whose music is revered as much as the gameplay and characters.

The Zelda theme is one of the most iconic pieces of gaming music and is one that is sure to raise the spirits and recall nostalgic memories of rescuing Princess Zelda, battling Ganon’s minions and getting lost in the Water Temple.

However, that is one of many memorable pieces that have been crafted for Zelda. In particular, I feel compelled to highlight several other pieces, such as the theme of Princess Zelda. As the namesake of the series, Princess Zelda plays an important role in nearly every Zelda game to date with a few exceptions (Link’s Awakening and the Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages Game Boy games). As such her theme is one that characterizes her kind and gentle spirit.

Next up is one of my favorites, the music played in the Temple of Time from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. The notes command a calm and a reverence that befits the temple. A fitting feeling for a place that remains a sanctuary of solemn stillness even in a future ravaged by the evil Ganondorf.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask had its fair share of memorable music and I mentioned one such piece, “The Song of Healing,” in my previous post. However another piece that deserves recognition is Last Day, the music that plays as the monstrous moon reaches the penultimate hours of its crash into Termina.  What makes it so remarkable for me is that Last Day manages to convey a sort of melancholy urgency. Like an eerie call beckoning you to the Clock Tower to face the Skull Kid and stop the disaster or to accept your fate as the moon falls.

One of the final pieces I wanted to mention was from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess called Don’t Want You No More.  A brilliant example of how well Zelda is characterized by its music, it’s a two minute orchestral piece that  paints an auditory picture of what Twilight Princess is. The music guides you on an epic journey into the game’s atmosphere, its story and its world.

Now Nintendo already held a symphony tour last year to celebrate Zelda’s 25th Anniversary, but  it seems the festivities are due to continue with this second symphony. All in all, I’m very glad that Nintendo decided to hold another symphony tour as I missed the last one.

In this video taken at E3 2011, Nintendo gave attendees a taste of The Legend of Zelda condensed into one beautifully orchestrated performance. A preview of what I know will be a fantastic concert:

What do you think? Will you make an effort to attend the symphony as it travels across the U.S.?

Rediscovering The Ocarina of Time

Well, I received a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas and have spent some time rediscovering an old classic: The Legend of Zelda – The Ocarina of Time.

The Ocarina of Time is a well-known title and one that often needs little introduction. It is a game that is widely pontificated as one of the finest ever created due to pitch perfect gameplay, a well-crafted story and excellent (for the time) graphics. Not to to mention the memorable soundtrack. In fact, one of my most favorite aspects to the games was its music. From the lively tune of the Lost Woods to the wild beats of the Gerudo Desert, the soundtrack perfectly sets the mood and gives every area a unique character. The music also plays a pivotal role in the gameplay,  played on the mystical ocarina that is the game’s namesake. Every so often, you have to whip out the ocarina to activate doors or trigger events like raising the water level in a certain dungeon *cough*Water Temple*cough* and you can even warp to certain areas in Hyrule once you learned the appropriate song.

The gameplay is so enjoyable due to the tight control scheme used which features the “L-Targeting” mechanic that was introduced for the first time on its debut on the Nintendo 64. Back then it was known as “Z-Targeting due to it being activated by the Z trigger button the N64 controller. The targeting mechanic makes combat fluid and fast, allowing you to strafe around enemies and switch focus between foes easily. Your items can be equipped to the Y and X buttons on the 3DS with two more slots being moved to the touchscreen. All in all, the controls have migrated rather well to their new positions on the 3DS.

The story is the delicious gooey center to the game that helps draw together the gameplay and music into an unforgettable experience.  The game features the hero Link, who must set out on a journey across Hyrule to stop the evil Ganondorf from obtaining the Triforce and dominating the world. The quest spans the entirety of Hyrule and even across Time itself as you must travel between the present and the future as you become the legendary Hero of Time. Along the way, you’ll meet a colorful cast of characters. From the feisty Princess Ruto of the Zora to the fierce Darunia of the Gorons, every character adds to the masterful portrait that is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. At the center of it all stands Link, our young hero who must use all of his courage and his wits (not to mention clever use of his items) in order to save Hyrule from the grip of evil.