ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Glenn'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Squint
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Depths of the Night', 'Theme of Love'
- Posted: 2011-12-03, evaluated by the judges
Squint's debut has been a great story for 2011; I'm a huge fan of both his posted mixes, and they never would have been released through OCR had Palpable not stepped in & stepped up the production/recording quality to match the amazing arrangement & performance that was already there. For his latest, Hai Nguyen returns to Chrono Trigger & solo piano:
"Hey guys, first things first - I'm sorry. Yes, I did another Chrono Trigger piece. But wait, wait, I can explain! Before I submitted my first piece ("Gusty Piano in a Garden"), I had already finished "To Far Away Inspirations" (<crossing fingers for acceptance>), was putting the finishing touches on this one, and had started another one that I might submit (from FFVII...again, sorry!). At that time, I had only really been writing this stuff for my own benefit (didn't even consider that they could get onto OCRemix), so I didn't feel the need to try my hand at something uncommon, y'know? Now that this one's done, I figured I might as well send it in and see what you guys think. If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure there aren't any mixes on the site for this particular track.
Also, I wanna say thanks once again to Vinnie, as he once again helped out with the production on this one, which makes three in all. I swore to him that this would be the last of the bunch, since now I can start fresh with recordings and all that, and hopefully get my own software for quality recording.
Anyway, to the piece itself. This track is one of the first things I can remember trying to copy when I was a kid, right when I got my first demo version of Finale. Of course, back then, I was just trying to copy it note for note, but yeah, I've always admired how this piece adds so many different parts one by one, and then they come together to culminate into something so sad, but so beautiful at the same time. I thought it would be really cool to try and emulate this with just the piano, since it's such a versatile instrument and can really play as many parts as needed, so long as the composer is creative enough to cram 'em all in there somehow. Of particular inspiration was Zohar's "Concert Paraphrase," where he takes the B Section of "Yearnings of the Wind" and beautifully presents it with two hands, nothing seeming out of place at all. Incredible. I also am not ashamed to admit that I took inspiration from his intro to "Concert Paraphrase" in writing the intro to "Glenn."
And now I'm babbling. The piece is definitely more classical this time around. It just came out that way, I guess. And I also sneaked in a portion of the Theme of Love from FFIV (Rosa's Theme), just because it sneaked up on me somehow while I was just plunking out ideas! It fits surprisingly well. So yeah, I hope you all like it. And don't worry, I have plans to start work on a piece for a game that somehow has no representation on OCRemix at all!"
Heh, don't feel TOO bad, Hai - there's a reason the classics are classics, and you're certainly not the first to revisit the same game twice in a row. I'm definitely interested in those plans to cover an unmixed game, but in the meantime we've got another of Squint's nuanced, beautiful solo piano arrangements to enjoy. I was sort of assuming a titular double reference to both Frog's original name and noted pianist Glenn Gould, but I guess the latter is coincidental, since it wasn't explicitly mentioned. I literally need to strain to find anything to critique in Squint's arrangements or his performances of those arrangements - he's really done great things for solo piano mixes on OCR this year. This is no exception, and I think fans of his previous two mixes, or the genre/style in general, will agree. As Deia puts it:
"I love your arrangements, they are so fantastic. To me, doesn't matter what game we are talking about, do what inspires you! Anyways, the level of personalization you add to these tracks really makes listening to them a unique, personal experience every time."
Indeed; truly looking forward to hearing MUCH more!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Good job, Squint (and Palpable).
- Martin Penwald on March 27, 2012
Vinnie - You're right. I only just used Finale to notate the music. It would be crazy if you could get Finale sounding that good! The little bit I mentioned in my writeup about Finale was just talking about when I used to listen to the piece on repeat and copy it note for note on my computer. :)
Bahamut - Those small mistakes in the performance bug me so much! I hope they aren't too noticeable!
Again, thanks for the support, and I hope everyone had a great holiday!
- Squint on January 2, 2012
- ryankeeton on December 28, 2011
This source is not represented enough. You did it absolute justice.
A SINGLE MANLY TEAR WAS SHED... SERIOUSLY... DON'T JUDGE ME
But it actually brings back memories of when I used to go to my Grandma's house too.
She would play piano for hours, and I would listen.
This transcended the video game that it pays homage to... and entered my real life.
I can't thank you enough for such a beautiful mix.
- Tuberz McGee on December 25, 2011
Why are you so great?
Love, Greg
Seriously, beautiful and touching piece. It just rolls out the emotion, the passion and romance in my mind. I just picture lovers embracing, lovers parting, trains in black and white leaving the station - y'know, that sorta' thing. Great rendition of these themes. You make that piano sing, and your love of the material shines through. Thanks for yet another great piece to add to my already ginormous OC ReMix library!
- Perigryn on December 20, 2011
- Squinter Cell on December 11, 2011
- NegimaSonic on December 6, 2011
- Bahamut on December 5, 2011
- Flexstyle on December 5, 2011
- Palpable on December 5, 2011
- Crulex on December 4, 2011
- pu_freak on December 4, 2011
To consider that this was actually written in Finale and not exactly a live performance astounds me; very few piano writers of that caliber have been able to make something sound as realistic as that (two people I can think of that handle piano sequences like that are Kevin Stephens and trickwaters, still worth checking out too). True, it may still have its grid-locked spots that don't quite give in as much freedom to the expression as it should, but I'm assuming that would come down to the nature of the software. It can be a good consideration to see such touch-ups could be done through a DAW's key editor, but otherwise I'm still cool with how it came down.
All in all, a very sweet arrangement, and it's done a world of good for OCR's solo piano representations. Let's hope you don't stop here, Hai :)
- Rexy on December 4, 2011
Make all the Chrono Trigger remixes you want.
This makes me want to play Chrono Trigger again.
- Victor1283 on December 4, 2011
