Since I was a child, I have always loved the sound of violins and basses. Their versatility as they switch between quick, fast-paced notes to create a happy and playful mood before breaking your heart with long, slow-held notes is astounding. This incredible ability is showcased in the way only Zelda can in the Hyrule…
When I attended audio engineering school in Canada from 2018 to 2019, I was granted the opportunity to expand upon my knowledge as a musician and voice actor by thoroughly dissecting the process of music production. From song composition and room acoustics to reverberation and mastering, I learned how to record and engineer studio-quality pieces,…
In my previous article about the music of Skyward Sword, I talked about how the classical orchestra has a major presence in its soundtrack. As I thought on the subject leading up to Skyward Sword HD’s release, I realized there was a little more I had to say. Not on the orchestra as a whole,…
Known for its bizarre story and eccentric cast of characters, Link’s Awakening remains one of the most peculiar entries in the Zelda series. The entire narrative unfolds on the mysterious Koholint Island, which turns out to be nothing more than the dream world of a mythical creature called the Wind Fish. While this realization can…
Taking place at the beginning of the timeline, Skyward Sword was able to make some interesting choices when it came to the portrayal of Link and Zelda. While there is frequently an implied sense of romance between the two in the other games, Skyward Sword is the first game that doubles down on showing a…
The release of Super Mario Galaxy in 2007 signified to Nintendo fans at large that coming with the then-current console generation would also be a bigger focus on having their games’ music recorded by a live orchestra, and Zelda fans, in particular, were especially excited. While Twilight Princess from the year prior had a live…
As the first entry in the Zelda series to feature a soundtrack performed by a live orchestra, Skyward Sword has some truly outstanding music. From the lilting woodwinds and cheerful mandolin that follow you through Skyloft to the heavy, menacing organ that signals Ghirahim’s arrival, each track is perfectly arranged to suit the personality of…
The Zelda series is heralded for its cast of intriguing and diverse characters, and perhaps no installment in the series embodies this truth more so than Ocarina of Time. From the childish and playful Kokiri to the more reserved civilizations of the Zoras, Gerudos, and Hylians, Ocarina of Time is filled with contrasting worldviews and…
From the beginning, the Zelda series has placed intense importance on swords. In the original game, the first item you are likely to get (because it’s “dangerous to go alone”) is a simple wooden sword. It wasn’t until A Link to the Past came around though that we were introduced to the Hyrulean equivalent of…
I may have more than my fair share of complaints when it comes to the Nintendo DS Zelda titles, but I would be a pretty lousy critic if I didn’t give credit where credit is due. When it comes to music, Spirit Tracks truly knocks it out of the park. Rich with vibrant strings, spirited…
If you stay in the video game music scene long enough, you will probably hear the term “leitmotif” tossed around. It’s a music theory term that describes a short musical idea that is meant to symbolize something in a broader work, like a character or place or event. However, there’s also a broader term for…
It’s a blessing. It’s a curse. It’s what you get for saying hello to people. At some point, a goodbye is coming, too. Not just to all the people you love and who love you back, but to the world as well. Eugene O’Kelly, Chasing Daylight: How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life It is…
In most Disney movies, the hero has a moment where everything seems lost and they nearly give up hope. This is usually followed by a rousing musical theme where they realize that they can still come back from this moment of grief. They discover that they can use their greatest gifts and talents to overcome…
I’m sure I’ve mentioned time and time again that Zelda has had a huge influence over my taste in music and if it weren’t for it, I wouldn’t have discovered some really great music.
“Medli’s Melodies: New Age Classical for the Zelda Soul”
#MedlisMelodies #ZeldaUniverse
I have always treasured Majora’s Mask for its deeply emotional story and well-written characters, but when it comes to the land of Termina, I have to admit that it’s one of the dreariest overworlds I’ve ever encountered. Not only is the landscape itself awash in dull earth tones to match the dark tone of the…
