E3: Zelda 25th Anniversary Concert Drops a Nostalgia Bomb

[John Funk]

E3: Zelda 25th Anniversary Concert Drops a Nostalgia Bomb

​

Nintendo kicked off its E3 2011 press conference with a full orchestra playing songs from the Legend of Zelda series, and it was well worth a listen.

Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda is one of the longest-running and most popular franchises in videogame history, and its iconic theme (or rather, its iconic themes) have been well worn into the mind of pretty much anyone who ever owned a Nintendo console.

This year, Nintendo is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first Zelda, and it started its E3 2011 conference [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/conferences/e3_2011/8935-E3-Nintendo-Press-Conference] with a full orchestra playing a medley of some of the series' most famous themes. As you can hear here to the right, it was one hell of a nostalgia trip.

The medley ended with the theme for the upcoming Skyward Sword, which we now know is "Zelda's Theme" in reverse [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109831-GDC-Zelda-Trailer-Hides-a-Musical-Secret-to-Everybody].

Nintendo announced that as part of the 25th anniversary celebration, all of its consoles would be getting classic Zelda titles like Link's Awakening (Gameboy Virtual Console; today), Ocarina of Time (3DS remake; next week), Four Swords Adventures (DSi Store; September), and of course Skyward Sword (Wii; holiday season).

There will also be special Zelda symphonic concerts held around the world, presumably playing medleys just like the one you heard here. A special Ocarina of Time CD will be given out to the first people to register their copy of the game, and a symphonic Zelda CD will be included in Skyward Sword, presumably as a collector's edition bonus or a preorder.

Either way, I love the Zelda games and their music, so this was awesome. I hope there'll be a concert within travel distance for me, because I am so there.

(Via 1UP [http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/33880])

See all our coverage directly from the show floor. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/conferences/e3_2011 ]

Permalink

 

[-Dragmire-]

ah, listening to this, part of my life flashed before my eyes... mostly happiness and frustration with a controller in hand.

Wonderful orchestral piece.

 

[MetaKnight19]

I love the Zelda games and their music, so this was awesome. I hope there'll be a concert within travel distance for me, because I am so there.

Agreed. That was also the best montage of an epic game series ever made. Ever.

 

[Mackinator]

I love this music. So much. I cannot wait for Skyward Sword & Ocarina of Time!!!!!

 

[Dastardly]

E3: Zelda 25th Anniversary Concert Drops a Nostalgia Bomb
Permalink

Little nods like that, toward older works, are a lot more common than people think. As a composer, it's not only impractical to pop out brand new ideas every time, it's also extremely wasteful!

Using an existing theme in retrograde (which is what was done here) is a great way to have a new theme that will have a subtle connection to older stuff, even if not everyone perceives it as the same theme--it can create a sort of "musical deja vu" for the listener.

Over time, these themes can become like "characters" in the music. See: the music of John Williams, particularly for Star Wars. Also see: Richard Wagner, the guy Williams basically copied. The concept of the "leitmotif" in Wagner's operas, in particular.

And believe you me, these "old school" video game composers? They know their Wagner.

 

[deth2munkies]

In RE: The last sentence, I give you: http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=dates

 

[Murmur95]

I personally think that band was playing the songs really poorly though I am looking forward to the concerts.

 

[ineedscissors]

Yeah, if you thought that was good then Video Games Live will make you shit yourself.