ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Predetermination'

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Unknown gives us a mutating, orchestral arrangement of Chrono Trigger that spans a fairly significant range of tempos in its four minutes and twenty seconds. While I love the very artistic ending that doesn't resolve perfectly and fades out with church bells ringing in sort of a prologue vibe, let's start at the beginning: Ty opens with a cinematic progression of string swells, then at 0'30" brings in a cool percussive vibe that actually has some latin elements thrown in, with deep ensemble pizzicato strings and later brass coming on the melodic part. The shakers here establish a martial, shuffling feel, but at 1'26" that's interrupted - gracefully - for a slower, deliberate refrain. There's mucho snare rolls and cymbal work to help these sorts of transitions along, but it's always done tastefully. A broader range of winds, additional brass, etc. are brought in for further fun, along with some choral patches, as the source material is repositioned and blended adeptly. zircon writes:

"The arrangement is absolutely superb - VERY nice usage of tempo changes, variation, bridges, and original sections, among other things. There is also a great structure present that keeps the listener interested with plenty of changes to dynamics and layering. At first, I felt that the climax might have arrived too soon in the piece, but on further listens, I found that I actually like the creative approach Ty took with the middle to ending passages. It's not what one would expect from a dramatic orchestral piece, but it's well-executed and really works."

while zyko succinctly adds:

"it has plenty of arrangement, variation and is well executed in all facets."

... can't argue with that. I can see the initial, seemingly groove-focused feel of the mix throwing some people off who might be expecting something more consistently toe-tappable, but it's to Unknown's credit that he can throw in such passages and assimilate them into a larger whole that is more amorphous and dynamic.

― djpretzel