The (semi) Daily Music-Nerd Appreciation Thread

[Suicune's Fire]

Ah, whatever. xD I like the theme better, then. Medleys are still cool though.

Yeah, sounds good! Does that go for remixes, too? xD Like, by regular people? I've found some awesome ones on YouTube usually done by fans. :D

[Nekomata]

Ah, whatever. xD I like the theme better, then. Medleys are still cool though.

Yeah, sounds good! Does that go for remixes, too? xD Like, by regular people? I've found some awesome ones on YouTube usually done by fans. :D

Not sure about remixes- looking more on the traditonally scored and performed things, not so much electronic remixes. There are some really good traditionally arranged fan musics though! I know quite a few people who do their own takes on game music!

[Suicune's Fire]

Not sure about remixes- looking more on the traditonally scored and performed things, not so much electronic remixes. There are some really good traditionally arranged fan musics though! I know quite a few people who do their own takes on game music!

Yeah, I didn't mean exclusively electronic ones. There are a few people I know of who do awesome guitar covers and whatnot. B)

[Nekomata]

Yeah, I didn't mean exclusively electronic ones. There are a few people I know of who do awesome guitar covers and whatnot. B)

Yup! I know a lot of covers for stuff. I like to spotlight the more instrumental stuff- not the electronically created. I think instrumental stuff in general- especially on the more traditional end (wind/string ensembles) tend to go underappreciated.

I mean, how many people outside of the music performance world knows what a Bassoon is? French Horn? Oboe? It saddens me how more traditionally arranged pieces are often overlooked in this day and age in favor of the pop songs and rap. Nothing against pop or rap, just- you know... I'm a band nerd, this stuff means a lot to me. Wind/String ensemble music can be simply gorgeous and full of depth. Most movie soundtracks are full orchestral- and people seem to be under the illusion that movie soundtracks are different than your normal orchestra. People are missing out on a huge library of music that exists that is neither old/classical/whatever or movie music. Of course, I love the old stuff too. It comes with being a band nerd. All of the instrumental stuff. Especially those horn solos.

Anyway, today I think I'm going to pick something more on the Classical end. I'll be hitting a video game track next, so no worries!

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt.

Now, if you listen all the way through this piece, you'll definitely recognize a few of the melodies from somewhere. Tom and Jerry? Bugs Bunny? Maybe some commercials? This piece appears a lot through older cartoons and was considered a masterpiece at its time.

Many say it exemplifies the sad, conflicted, but proud history of Hungary. The Hungarians have gone through a lot- and done their share of misdeeds- but still remain a proud people. As someone who has spent a decent amount of time in Hungary, I can say with certainty that they are sad, but proud people- which I think this piece captures pretty well. That said, it's got some very fun and silly moments- probably in celebration that they've survived as a country for so long!

You'll hear hints of Hungarian folksongs and more notably, gypsy music (which if you've never heard any, is quite fun and interesting to listen to!). Surprisingly, this piece was actually originally a piano piece- however, due to it's popularity, it was later arranged into a full orchestral score.

I think the parts most recognizable to people will be the beginning and just around 6:50.

Stars: The strings at the beginning. I'm biased towards a good dramatic part.

Favorite parts: For me, the beginning and the build up to 6:50. I know they're the most well known parts, but I can't get 6:50 out of my head whenever I hear it. It just repeats. Over. And. Over. Until something else gets in my head anyway. xD I just love how playful it gets. I may also be biased because I've been rehearsing this lately and the playful parts are quite challenging and I love a technical challenge.

[Suicune's Fire]

Wow, people don't know what those instruments are? xD HOW? Lel. I played trombone for a year which is hilarious because I'm short. I was good at it but I didn't like it much so I didn't continue it...lol.

I enjoyed that piece a lot. XD I think my favourite bit was also your favourite bit. It does seem really playful and happy, which is a contrast to the beginning. What a cool guy. B)

[Nekomata]

Wow, people don't know what those instruments are? xD HOW? Lel. I played trombone for a year which is hilarious because I'm short. I was good at it but I didn't like it much so I didn't continue it...lol.

I enjoyed that piece a lot. XD I think my favourite bit was also your favourite bit. It does seem really playful and happy, which is a contrast to the beginning. What a cool guy. B)

You'd be surprised. I've met people who didn't know what a Clarinet is. I mean, I can sorta understand not knowing a Bassoon... but a CLARINET. I mean, come on. That's common. And playing music isn't for everyone- don't have to play it to appreciate it though! I love playing- I love any form of creation. Art, music, writing, etc. So it goes without saying that includes playing my saxophone. <3

People enjoying a classical piece of music in this day and age? Blasphemy! xD It's a fun piece- common too in commercials and older cartoons. I think most people have heard it and may not realize it. I remember rehearsing it for the first time thinking "This is vaguely familiar" - then we get to that really silly part and I'm just "OOOOH! THIS PIECE!!" - Thank goodness the saxes have the melody there. xD Then a few lines down we've got high F#s which caught me entirely off guard. Not a note we see often- we don't usually go past a High C# in most songs (if even that far)- and not all saxes have the key for the high F#- it's the highest note that the instrument can play through keys. Any higher is all embouchure.

There's a lot of music out there most of us have heard at some point or another and might not know by name. This is one of those for me- didn't know the name til recentlydespite the fact that I think another one of the Hungarian Rhapsodies was in the Saxophone Bible. xD

[Bulbasaur]

A few years ago, I was once told by a very bad roommate that music without lyrics had no meaning.

Can I end this person?

[AD]

Yup! I know a lot of covers for stuff. I like to spotlight the more instrumental stuff- not the electronically created. I think instrumental stuff in general- especially on the more traditional end (wind/string ensembles) tend to go underappreciated.

I mean, how many people outside of the music performance world knows what a Bassoon is? French Horn? Oboe? It saddens me how more traditionally arranged pieces are often overlooked in this day and age in favor of the pop songs and rap. Nothing against pop or rap, just- you know... I'm a band nerd, this stuff means a lot to me. Wind/String ensemble music can be simply gorgeous and full of depth. Most movie soundtracks are full orchestral- and people seem to be under the illusion that movie soundtracks are different than your normal orchestra. People are missing out on a huge library of music that exists that is neither old/classical/whatever or movie music. Of course, I love the old stuff too. It comes with being a band nerd. All of the instrumental stuff. Especially those horn solos.

Anyway, today I think I'm going to pick something more on the Classical end. I'll be hitting a video game track next, so no worries!

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt.

Now, if you listen all the way through this piece, you'll definitely recognize a few of the melodies from somewhere. Tom and Jerry? Bugs Bunny? Maybe some commercials? This piece appears a lot through older cartoons and was considered a masterpiece at its time.

Many say it exemplifies the sad, conflicted, but proud history of Hungary. The Hungarians have gone through a lot- and done their share of misdeeds- but still remain a proud people. As someone who has spent a decent amount of time in Hungary, I can say with certainty that they are sad, but proud people- which I think this piece captures pretty well. That said, it's got some very fun and silly moments- probably in celebration that they've survived as a country for so long!

You'll hear hints of Hungarian folksongs and more notably, gypsy music (which if you've never heard any, is quite fun and interesting to listen to!). Surprisingly, this piece was actually originally a piano piece- however, due to it's popularity, it was later arranged into a full orchestral score.

I think the parts most recognizable to people will be the beginning and just around 6:50.

Stars: The strings at the beginning. I'm biased towards a good dramatic part.

Favorite parts: For me, the beginning and the build up to 6:50. I know they're the most well known parts, but I can't get 6:50 out of my head whenever I hear it. It just repeats. Over. And. Over. Until something else gets in my head anyway. xD I just love how playful it gets. I may also be biased because I've been rehearsing this lately and the playful parts are quite challenging and I love a technical challenge.

I love this piece. A lot of people frown upon the classical art, for their songs without emotion about money and such. But the orchestra, the pianos and violins, are riddled with pure beautiful emotion. And i love it.

You can feel it pour out in every note.

[Nekomata]

I love this piece. A lot of people frown upon the classical art, for their songs without emotion about money and such. But the orchestra, the pianos and violins, are riddled with pure beautiful emotion. And i love it.

You can feel it pour out in every note.

I always have trouble understanding why people seem to be so against the classical works. Is it because of the impression that classical music is for rich snobby people (which, at one point it was before becoming more accessible to the masses). I find a lot of classical stuff quite fun to listen to- it's not the same as music today, but these classical orchestral/wind pieces laid down the foundation of what makes up things like movie soundtracks today. Heck, a lot of modern music takes themes and medleys from classical stuff and reinterprets it.

I'm more of a wind ensemble person, but I absolutely adore an emotional violin solo. I'm not as big on piano music- mostly because I love the different 'voices' of different instruments blending together and creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.

Can I end this person?

Please do so!

---

Didn't get to post yesterday cause my break was cut short due to stuff. But here's the next piece. A personal favorite of mine when it comes to orchestral arrangements of game music. It's got some vocal parts in there, but purely as another voice in the orchestra- not as the focus of the piece. Funny how the voice can be used like other instruments.

Anyway, here we are: The Twilight Princess Symphonic Movement by the Zelda Symphony!



Man, where do I even begin with the praise for this arrangement? The Zelda Symphony does a truly magnificent job at re-orchestrating music from the series. The Twilight Princess Symphonic Movement and the Wind Waker Suite are easily amongst my favorite orchestral pieces -period-. I had the pleasure of going to the Zelda Symphony concert in my state a while ago, and my goodness it gave me goosebumps. Everything about this piece is just so gorgeously executed.

Everything about this medley is just so perfectly done. From the subtle, mysterious tone of Midna's Lament, to the energizing and adventurous theme of what (I think) is the Hyrule field theme from the game. And that ending? <3 Aaah, I can't describe in words how this piece makes me feel. Few orchestral arrangements can so wonderfully capture the emotion and essence of a game- and this one does it flawlessly!

Stars: Oh my, oh my. Who to pick out. The Horns? The Double Reeds... Definitely the double reed solos. The english horn at 2:10 and then the bassoon around 8:45. Hearing these solos live was one of the most beautiful things I've experienced.

Favorite Parts: Solos aside, the entire ending and Midna's Lament are my favorite parts. Easy choice there.

[Suicune's Fire]

Ah, I have this CD! One day a friend of a friend was like "You want this 25th Anniversary CD? I have two." And I was like "Sure." So I got it. XD All the tracks on it are awesome. :] Twilight Princess is the only Zelda game I've played through most of (I played a lot of Ocarina of Time but probably only got about halfway or three quarters in). I loved all its music and these tracks are awesome too.

Such a beautiful arrangement. <3 Very good pick!