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[olimario]

Thasks to trippingmartian at OA
He seriously rocks for getting these awesome tidbits online

"With the trailer music being so moving, it was no surprise that I was asked-during several media interviews with journalists at E3-if we plan to use an orchestra for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess music. Honestly, it hasn't been determined yet, but I would really like to push for it. In the process of recording the trailer music, I've gotten back in touch with how music from live instuments can be extremely powerful. Even when I've spent countless hours creating digital music with complex layers for Nintendo's games, artificial sounds just can't beat the real depth and expression of live instruments. Recording the trailer has really encouraged me to explore the challenges of orchestra music for the game. Since game development is still proceeding, we can't yet look into the details of how a full orchestra could be specifically used-we just can't discuss it until we reach a certain degree of the game's development. But, for the moment, I can dream big: I'd love to use a full 50-player orchestra to capture the big action scenes and an intimate string quartet for the more lyrical moments in gameplay."

"We're also exploring some music-oriented gameplay ideas for Twilight Princess. In the E3 demo, people saw and heard that Link plays a reed pulled from the grass to call a hawk; reed music was in the initial development concept for Ocarina, but we ultimately didn't use it. What instrument might Link play in Twilight Princess? For now it's going to remain a secret."

"The process of creating the E3 trailer was fascinating. Three people (including me) each composed a different approach to the trailer's music. Then we asked one of Japan's most extraordinarily gifted composers and music arrangers, Michiru Oshima, to work her magic on all three pieces, envisioning how an orchestra could wrap its many instruments around the general music. We then recorded each of the three orchestrations with famed conductor Yasuzo Takemoto on hand, who you might know as the conductor who stood command over the amazing 2002 Smash Bros. concert in Japan. I did have a chance to personally conduct when we recorded a chorus for one possible version of the trailer."

"You may have noticed that the music for each game in the Zelda series has a slightly different vibe. Majora's Mask had an exotic Chinese-opera sound; and Wind Waker had a sort of Irish influence on its music. As we started thinking about the music for Twilight Princess, I got some guidance from the developers that they'd like music reminiscent of eastern Europe, bringing in an ensemble of percussion instruments, and simultaneously I heard that they might like to hear more modern music employed for the game. At that time, I couldn't really envision what they were asking clearly-I assumed that they might like a Gypsy vibe. Creating Zelda music always involves learning for me, since I can't create all of the music for the wide variety of environments based simply on what's already inside my head. I always do extensive research and soak up as much music as I can to expand my vision. Then, after all of that, I always find it much easier to create music that I couldn't before."

"My group isn't only in charge of music, but also the creation of the countless sound effects that you hear in Nintendo's games. It's a really important job that we take really seriously-though sometimes we find ourselves in outlandish situations in the pursuit of just the right sounds. One day, I had to carry carry a big steel pipe to work, which wouldn't have been a big deal, if it weren't that I had to take the train to my office. Everyone on the train stared at me in the most curious way!"

"I like the show-tune soprano Sarah Brightman a lot, since she brings classical music, world music and modern music together so effortlessly. I had been dreaming about using one of her gorgeous songs for Twilight Princess-but then I found out that her music has already recently been used in another video game! But if we could find a similar musician for the next Zelda game, that would be really interesting. I wonder what fans would think of such music being used for a "Princess Zelda Theme" for an upcoming game."

"I've paid close attention to what Zelda fans have said about music in online forums, and I've listened to the many MIDI music files that people have posted. It's all very interesting. I feel like music transcends language barriers and crosses all nations' borders. That will be a very important consideration for what we do with the music for Twilight Princess."

I'm glad Kondo wants to do so much with music... its a shame hes been limited for so long

 

[Varian]

What an interview! Are there clips of this guy speaking?

 

[JadedGamer]

Thats cool but I would like to know one thing, why can't I create topics? I was banned for a week at IGN and just now I was double banned from Gamespot 2+7 days.

 

[temp]

I really like that guy.

Thats cool but I would like to know one thing, why can't I create topics? I was banned for a week at IGN and just now I was double banned from Gamespot 2+7 days.

Because you're a Junior Member, you need to wait a while before you can make your own topics.

 

[Error]

Koji Kondo is awesome, awesome is Koji Kondo

great interview

 

[Zeo]

God, I love this man. All of his stuff is awesome (ignoring Mario Sunshine's disappointing soundtrack).

Can't wait to hear the TP stuff.

Thats cool but I would like to know one thing, why can't I create topics? I was banned for a week at IGN and just now I was double banned from Gamespot 2+7 days.

Maybe because you make stupid unreleated-to-the-thread posts like that?

Just a guess.

 

[Error]

Thats cool but I would like to know one thing, why can't I create topics? I was banned for a week at IGN and just now I was double banned from Gamespot 2+7 days.

juniors can't make threads, wait till you are a member

 

[metsallica]

"I like the show-tune soprano Sarah Brightman a lot, since she brings classical music, world music and modern music together so effortlessly. I had been dreaming about using one of her gorgeous songs for Twilight Princess-but then I found out that her music has already recently been used in another video game!"

What game was he referencing here?

 

[meelk]

Needs more ES Posthumus, stat.

 

[MadFuzzy]

What game was he referencing here?

Tengai Makyo III (AKA Far East of Eden III).

 

[silenttwn]

Interesting. I kind of doubt though they'll do orchestral on Twilight Princess, and if they do it'll be during cinematics or key scenes. I hope Koji really contributes greatly to the soundtrack instead of just a few tracks.

 

[metsallica]

Tengai Makyo III (AKA Far East of Eden III).

Thanks.

 

[Error]

Interesting. I kind of doubt though they'll do orchestral on Twilight Princess, and if they do it'll be during cinematics or key scenes. I hope Koji really contributes greatly to the soundtrack instead of just a few tracks.

I think orchestrated music was confirmed for TP, but it's not gonna be used all the time

 

[The Faceless Master]

Thats cool but I would like to know one thing, why can't I create topics? I was banned for a week at IGN and just now I was double banned from Gamespot 2+7 days.

why'd you get banned?

 

[The_IGN_Man]

I think orchestrated music was confirmed for TP, but it's not gonna be used all the time

I think we might be missing something, which is the difference between a full orchestra and a small one. I have no clue really, but all I know is that the picture of the "orchestra" in the NP article was small (10 people or so), not nearly a full, 50-person orchestra. Maybe Konda is saying he'd like to use the more vibrant music produced by a full orchestra more (or at all) in the game.

 

[jett]

That was pretty cool, I luv Koji Kondo. I think with TP the best you can expect is something like Xenosaga(has orchestral music in just a few scenes). The difference between XS and TP is that the rest of the music was recorded from high quality synthesizers(XS doesn't use PCM music, except for like 2 tunes), so the difference is nowhere near as jarring. It's a shame they're still using the same soundbank quality Wind Waker had.

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

I have no clue really, but all I know is that the picture of the "orchestra" in the NP article was small (10 people or so), not nearly a full, 50-person orchestra.

It's actually an 8-person chorus that was being used for one of three different versions of the trailer arrangement.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Theres a certain charm to the faux-choir sounds they've used in Zelda games before (ie. Temple of Time, Zelda 3 end credits), and I don't mind the variations per game. The celtic style music of Wind Waker really grew on me. Especially the main theme / end credits. I hope they keep things as original as ever... but I've long wanted at least some orchestrated music in Zelda! This is great!

 

[Cragstar]

So Link will play another instrument in TP. That’s new to me!!

 

[temp]

Bongos of Transformation. You heard it here first.

 

[Sagitario]

I <3 Kondo... he has never disappointed me with the Zelda soundtracks...

 

[Ironclad]

I <3 Kondo... he has never disappointed me with the Zelda soundtracks...

Yeah, same here. He always manages to keep the soundtrack fresh, while retaining the musical style that makes a Zelda OST.

Great interview, btw.

 

[capslock]

They should have Peter Jackson direct the game development and Howard Shore for the music.

 

[Error]

They should have Peter Jackson direct the game development and Howard Shore for the music.

you forgot Orlando Bloom voice acting for Link

 

[AltogetherAndrews]

Dude should retire

 

[Particle Physicist]

What an interview! Are there clips of this guy speaking?

seriously, i would love to work for him. he seems incredibly passionate about his work.

 

[Spencerr]

Dude should retire

Why?

 

[temp]

Why?

No questions!

 

[SantaC]

I am sure I have read this before...where is the info from? NEwest EGM?

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

I am sure I have read this before...where is the info from? NEwest EGM?

It's a developer diary from the latest issue of Nintendo Power.

 

[polg]

I feel warm inside... they better blow everybody's mind with the music [shakes fist]
Koji Kondo has never disappointed me, and probably never will

 

[Mama Smurf]

So...what's eastern European music? I can't really imagine it. I can't think what gypsy music is either for that matter, Irish music comes to mind if anything and it can't be that as that was WW.

I guess the modern music elements will be used in the twilight areas. Seems like it'd fit with those enemies dropping out of a blocky (almost 8 bit) portal in the air.

It'd be nice to have an opera singer over the final battle, if they do it right.

 

[Jacobi]

So...what's eastern European music? I can't really imagine it. I can't think what gypsy music is either for that matter, Irish music comes to mind if anything and it can't be that as that was WW.

Kalinka, Kalinka, Kalinka moja

 

[Zeo]

Why?

cuz he's like old n busted n stuff

 

[Spencerr]

cuz he's like old n busted n stuff

I beg to differ.

Btw, I know you're being sarcastic... at least you should be.

 

[The_Sorrow]

So...what's eastern European music?

Serbian, Albanian, Bosnian etc. etc. It has an arabic vibe to it(at least Albanian songs to).

Should be extremely intresting to see how this turns out. I love Kondo so I know I won't be disapointed.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Given the music in the trailers, I'm beyond hopeful that we'll see a return to form from kondo with this game, as I have to say I found both Sunshine and WW very disappointing. Sunshine I don't really blame him for, they gave him an island theme and he ran with it, not his fault that I dislike that sort of music. WW though...Dragon Roost Island music was awesome, opening theme was pretty great, overworld was fine...apart from that, it either sucked or I didn't even notice it.

I've sadly never played Four Swords, so I can't speak for his work on that.

 

[Ruzbeh]

Did he do the music in Ocarina of Time? Because I absolutely loved the music in that game.

 

[el jacko]

Given the music in the trailers, I'm beyond hopeful that we'll see a return to form from kondo with this game, as I have to say I found both Sunshine and WW very disappointing. Sunshine I don't really blame him for, they gave him an island theme and he ran with it, not his fault that I dislike that sort of music. WW though...Dragon Roost Island music was awesome, opening theme was pretty great, overworld was fine...apart from that, it either sucked or I didn't even notice it.

I've sadly never played Four Swords, so I can't speak for his work on that.

Kondo didn't do those soundtracks, at least not exclusively. Most of his "team" did the soundtracks for those, and he did only a few songs here and there (Dragon Roost comes to mind). The last soundtrack he did entirely on his own was OOT, I think. I do know he had a pretty strong presence on both Star Fox 64's and Majora's Mask's soundtracks.

 

[samusx]

It has never, ever, EVER been confirmed to have a fully orchestrated soundtrack by anyone at Nintendo, at least not by anyone that has anything to do with actual game development.

It was just some dream that everyone had from hearing the trailer music, and the idea that a fully orchestrated soundtrack is so easy to do on the GC(the disc being big enough I mean).

But of course, this is Nintendo, if it could get away with it, we would be listening to NES music today if they had their way. The damn cheap bastards.

But I know that Kondo would like to do it, and that is where the hope is. If he can push hard enough we just might hear it in the final game.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Well ok then, I shouldn't single out Kondo, but it doesn't change the post that much, unless Kondo is doing TP on his own, which I doubt.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Well ok then, I shouldn't single out Kondo, but it doesn't change the post that much, unless Kondo is doing TP on his own, which I doubt.

No, he's not doing all the music himself. He does do some of it though, and what he doesn't do, his sound team does under his guidance.

He's like a composer and a sound director.

 

[El_Victor]

What instrument might Link play in Twilight Princess? For now it's going to remain a secret.

Any guesses?

 

[temp]

Any guesses?

I'm telling you he plays bongos. It's the ultimate tie-in.

 

[dark10x]

Well, he certainly seems to be taking the project very seriously. I'm hoping for something good here. I absolutely hate the music in Wind Waker and feel that it damaged my experience with the game. If they nail the soundtrack, TP could really shoot up to the top of my list quickly. As a result of its genre, a game like Zelda really demands powerful music. Without it, I have a difficult time really getting into the settings...

 

[SantaC]

I'm telling you he plays bongos. It's the ultimate tie-in.

lol especially since tina wood was trying to persuade miyamoto to use the bongos in zelda. grrrrr.

 

[radioheadrule83]

The Wind Waker music was fine imo. In fact a lot of it was great. There just wasn't much music. They went with ambient sounds for dungeons and brought up the battle theme whenever you were near enemies. There either should have been more battle themes or proper dungeon themes.

 

[SantaC]

Well, he certainly seems to be taking the project very seriously. I'm hoping for something good here. I absolutely hate the music in Wind Waker and feel that it damaged my experience with the game. If they nail the soundtrack, TP could really shoot up to the top of my list quickly. As a result of its genre, a game like Zelda really demands powerful music. Without it, I have a difficult time really getting into the settings...

I actually agree. Only memorable music in WW was dragon Roost island.

95% of it is incredibly boring and uninspired.

It's mediocre for a Zelda game.

 

[dark10x]

The Wind Waker music was fine imo. In fact a lot of it was great. There just wasn't much music. They went with ambient sounds for dungeons and brought up the battle theme whenever you were near enemies. There either should have been more battle themes or proper dungeon themes.

No, it wasn't. The soundtrack is actually quite large (two full discs worth of music) and 99% of it is incredibly boring and uninspired. Only the Dragoon Roost island music did anything for me...

 

[radioheadrule83]

No, it wasn't. The soundtrack is actually quite large (two full discs worth of music) and 99% of it is incredibly boring and uninspired. Only the Dragoon Roost island music did anything for me...

I hope to god you're not including 3 second things like "Get Item" / "Get Small Item" / "Get Heart Container" etc -- the kind of stuff that litters those discs. Of course you'd be well within your rights to..

But that's what I'm talking about.... There are lots and lots of tracks under one minute, and I'm not sure if many (if any) surpass 3 minutes. There are few tunes aside from Outset / Dragonroost / Windfall, The Great Sea, the two Baton songs, the main theme and short incidental motifs. You play most of the game to ambience and the battle theme.

I actually like everything on there that is actual music. Especially the Zelda throw back stuff.

I had a similarly disappointing feeling with the Twin Snakes soundtrack. Sure theres 70+ tracks there, but the same track will be on there three times for each added level of "alert" -- and they're not really proper tunes, they're more like loops. Compared to the fantastic MGS3 soundtrack... I mean right there you can see where Hibino / Gregson-Williams' priorities were.