My Zelda Symphony Experience

Last year at E3, Nintendo announced the Zelda Symphony series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series. There were three events held across the globe, one in Japan, Europe and North America. Earlier this year a few more tour dates were announced for locations such as Dallas, Montreal, Phoenix, Colorado and Atlanta. This past weekend The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses was held in Atlanta, GA and I traveled down to experience it. Even though Skyward Sword featured a sampler CD of the music being played there, I didn't listen to it on the chance that I'd be able to go to one of the concerts. After being there in person, I can truly say it was worth it, and one of the best things I've ever done in my life.

I got to the event two hours before-hand, knowing that the center would open 90 minutes before showtime. The next 75 minutes basically revolved around me and almost every Nintendo fan there pulling out there 3DS's and getting Street Passes for the duration. Overall I got around 160 Street Passes, getting all Puzzle Swap Pieces except for one Mario Tennis Open Pink Piece, clearing 3 rooms in Find Mii 2's Secret Quest and filling all of my Street Pass Data for Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, Super Street Fighter 4, Nintendogs+Cats, Resident Evil: Revelations and Dead or Alive: Dimensions. This is the benefit of getting there early, getting souvenirs and then going up and down the line you were just in for passes. Since you can only hold 10 Street Passes per wave for the Mii Plaza, it was imperative to get as many Passes as possible. After getting enough Passes, I went to my seats in the upper deck.

Before they began, they announced that a replacement conductor would take over for the regular conductor; the replacement was the woman who conducted the music people got with first shipment copies of Skyward Sword, so that was a bit interesting to say the least. Over the course of the night, ten pieces of music were played, in addition to three encores. The interesting part of how to note that these songs basically told the story of each individual game throughout each of the main movements. There were also a few pieces to get the audience and orchestra warmed up, which included music from Zelda dungeons, Kakariko Village and various Ocarina songs, the last of which they mentioned they didn't usually do. Overall it was a nice warm-up of things to come.

Next were the first two movements, beginning with Ocarina of Time, which was then followed by the Wind Waker. In terms of music, these are definitely the most prominent Zelda games in that regard. The movements themselves basically told a thin story of the game at hand from beginning to end. Ocarina of Time started in Kokiri Village and ended with the triumphant battle with Ganon. Needless to say, it was great. What followed was a bit of a disappointment for me, the Wind Waker. Starting off with the triumphant opening scroll and music from Outset Island, it quickly went to the Forsaken Fortress and then ending with the battle for Hyrule under the ocean. The only reason I call this a disappointment was the lack of the magnificent Dragon Roost Island, which by all accounts, is the best piece of music in that game. But afterwards, a short intermission was had, which was followed by another overture and the next two movements.

When the announcement came down that Twilight Princess would be played next there was a slight applause, almost as if those in the crowd were expecting another game to be there. However, the last movement announced was one everyone could enjoy, "We're giving you a Link to the Past" the announcer said, which was met with arousing applause and cheers from the crowd. And that's really where the difference in the show was found. I thought Twilight Princess' movement was quite short, despite having some of the best music in the series. It quickly took us from the beginning of the game to Hyrule Field, then Midna's Theme and before long it was at the final fight with Ganon before the final track. While it was great, I longed for just a bit more. It felt bittersweet. But for the last movement, the best was definitely saved.

A Link to the Past is regarded as the beta to Ocarina's masterpiece. However, I'd say the former is the superior, and this movement, at least in some way, proved that. Starting with a rainstorm, moving quickly to Hyrule Castle and then the 3 early dungeons, it moved to the Dark World. While inevitably it came to end with Link's fight with Ganon and the second credits theme, I wish that the first credits theme was played. But considering what was coming, it probably would have ruined the rest of the show.

After the final movement, it was announced that an encore would take place, which would be Link's Awakening. I found curious that this was the only song throughout the night that failed to have a visual aid with it. I wondered why, but it didn't really bother me. The movement, while ending with the Ballad of the Wind Fish, didn't seem like I remembered it all that well. It was alright, but I sort of expected something a bit more familiar. Thank goodness that familiarity was met with a second encore with Ocarina of Time's Gerudo Valley.

I really like how this song was handled by the Conductress. Throughout the entire song she just used her stick without her left hand, really showing her mastery of what she does. She seemed really into it as well as it seemed very natural for her to control the tempo of the song, which was pretty upbeat. What also surprised me is how the song played, and while the beats were definitely the same, it sounded differently than I thought it would. Afterwards, everyone on stage received a standing ovation for the performance, and that was the end.


Except for one more song. After the host drug the Conductress back on stage, it was said that the evening's Concert was not ordinary, and deserved a third and final encore. Something the fans wanted, and for that, would be rewarded. The final movement of the evening was The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This is the song I had secretly been waiting for all night. My favorite Zelda game with orchestrated music. Like before, the song told the story of Majora's Mask. Starting with Link losing his horse, get warped to Clock Town, trying to fix the world before the ever-increasing doom of the moon destroyed it, followed up by the Oath to Order and the final fight with Majora before the ending piece. What I noticed about this song that was particularly amazing was how it managed to get darker and creepier as the song progressed, simulating the game's 3-day mechanic until the Oath to Order was played. It was a statement to why Zelda music was so great, and why this Symphony does exist.

If you're a Zelda fan, a Nintendo fan, a video game fan, whatever. You should try to make it to one of these before the tour finishes. While I have a feeling they were recording Atlanta's Concert for a future disc release, there's nothing quite like seeing it live.