Ever since 2009 and the short-lived acapella singing competition show The Sing-Off, my wife and I have been amazed by the skills of acapella musicians. The astounding sounds they can produce and the way they work to weave them together to make melodies is nothing short of a beautiful, musical jigsaw puzzle. The S.N.O.T. Chamber Orchestra’s “Zelda Medley” from Ariel, Zoe, and Eli combines this underappreciated art form with the Zelda series to create an emotional experience.
From the beginning, voices in both the higher and lower octaves swirl and combine to create a feeling of mystery. Soon after, the “Temple of Time” theme begins with the echoing deeper voices which create a sense of solemnity. It feels like we’ve entered Zelda church. Along with this, a group of higher voices adds a sense of danger. It feels like they’re warning of the unwelcome danger in this sacred space. They warn of the evil thief Ganondorf and his unknown intrusion thanks to Link’s success in gathering the Spiritual Stones.
The group follows this moving piece with a rendition of the “Gerudo Valley” theme that feels commanding, creating a sense of the ferocity of the iconic desert tribe. The initial mixtures of both deep and high voices calls to mind the swirling sandstorms of the Gerudo Desert as listeners are hit with a wall of sound. The deeper voices have such an authority to them that it reminds me of the fierce loyalty of the Gerudo, calling to mind such desert champions as Urbosa and Riju. The response of the higher voices creates a sense of unity. The Gerudo leaders have called and the members of the tribe have answered and woe to anyone who stands against the women of the desert.
The S.N.O.T. Chamber Orchestra’s “Zelda Medley” is everything that I hoped it would be. I’ll never quite understand how each single voice can combine to create such a moving experience, taking these familiar Ocarina of Time songs and adding an even deeper meaning to them. I can practically imagine the “Treasure Get” melody playing as my brain digs deep into these beautiful renditions only to be rewarded with a moving experience that only adds to the iconic music of a favorite game of mine.
