A journey across a dangerous, rugged land (or sea) filled with foes and trials to overcome is what the Zelda series is all about. It’s true of all the games in the franchise, but only a few of the games take us on an intensely internal journey as well. One of the very best in this respect is Majora’s Mask. We get an up-close glimpse of the fear and frustrations of each realm, as they grapple with the apocalypse and what seems like their inevitable demise. As we observe them, we are invited to consider our own lives and our current place in them.
How would we react in the face of our own rapidly approaching end? RebeccaETripp’s “Majora’s Mask Epic Orchestral Medley” guides us through a thorough, musical retelling of the game, allowing each note to remind us of our time in Termina while also reflecting on our own mortality.
The medley starts with the music played during the introduction when Link travels through the forest in search of his missing fairy friend. You can practically feel the mist curling around you as the strings rise and the low sounds of the horns hold long, melancholy notes. It invites us to start our journey much like Link does his, searching within the forest of our heart while he searches for the friend his heart aches for.
Thankfully this is followed by the “Song of Healing”, which beckons us to take whatever may be weighing on our heart and hold it. The deep, resonating notes of the piano are warm and comforting, while the clear chimes of bells ring out as well. The bells in particular remind me of those sometimes rung during times of meditation, calling us deeper into our examination.
Afterwards, we sweep through the various musical themes of the lands of Termina, each one reminding us of the trials and tribulations the residents faced. My personal favorite is the “Stone Tower Temple” theme with its fierce, whirling rhythm. The rapid drumming keeps the rhythm going while a wide variety of instruments come together, bringing the melody to ever-greater heights. It sounds almost triumphant before slowly, slowly fading into the somber notes of “Majora’s Theme” and bringing us back to our reflection.
A little later, the “Clock Town Theme” plays and returns us to happy thoughts. The jaunty melody calls to mind the act of dancing, but not for long. As the melody slows, a deep, reverberating bass leads us into the haunting “Final Hours Theme” causing us to recall the fear of the seemingly doomed residents of Clock Town, as they huddled together and clutched each other, wishing to avoid their fate.
RebeccaETripp doesn’t leave listeners to wallow in sadness for long though. She rushes to the rescue with a flurry of melodies to revive us from any doldrums we find ourselves lost in. From the quirky and upbeat “Astral Observatory Theme” to the “Song of Time”, which leads into the rising tones of the new day dawning on Termina Field, she reminds us that the darkness must eventually give way to day. If we can just channel some of Link’s courage, our struggles are no match for our strength.
RebeccaETripp’s “Majora’s Mask Epic Orchestral Medley” is a journey well worth taking. It’s equal measures emotional and uplifting, as it leads us through the trials and triumphs of the game. As you listen, be sure to also take the time to read the musical genius’s notes (in the video’s description) about her own journey while making the song and the story it tells — they’re really interesting. Her own travels through the forest of the heart while crafting this hauntingly beautiful medley have resulted in a gift that all Zelda fans should listen to.
