ReMix: Final Fantasy VII 'Beyond Midgar'

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Justice prevails. Or rather, persistence, both on our part and on Susie's (alias BogusRed), as this piece was originally posted to the judges panel for evaluation way back in January of this year. It actually was about to pass, by a narrow margin, when I checked out the thread and read Daniel B.'s comments about a significant amount of hum being present on the recording. I then remembered the piece back from when I had first listened to it; my initial impression was that it was a very solid arrangement but that the recording was sub-par and would prevent it from passing the panel. It's a testament to the ReMixer's arrangement and performance that with so noticeable a hum (at least on headphones) it was about to pass, but I insisted that if at all possible, we ask for a cleaned up recording. Well, it took over five months, slowing down the process considerably, and Susie might be annoyed with me for being picky, but I'm quite glad I can post this improved version whose production values do its arrangement and emotional impact justice. Ultimately I think asking for a cleaner version of the arrangement was both a compliment to the mix and a little selfish on my part - I like it, will want to listen to it in the future, and want a clean version with which to do so, and figure a lot of other folks would, too. So without further adieu, I present Beyond Midgar, a flowing, dynamic solo piano arrangement from fan favorite Final Fantasy 7 - despite my best, funk-infused Starfox efforts, we've landed squarely back in Squareland once again :) But this is a good thing, or at least not a bad thing, as BR's take on the FF7 main theme is very emotive stuffs. Wingless opines with visceral hyperbole:

"I don't think we should have reservations on a piece simply because the artist doesn't max out their piano skill to 100 in a song. Sometimes, restraint is beautiful. Hell, sometimes I play with 100 lb. weights on my hands, for fear my true power would destroy the piano.

I enjoyed this. For me, this was like watching somebody draw a perfect circle freehand. Nothing fancy, but the entertainment comes from seeing clean and unfettered discipline. A girl and a piano and that certain imperceptable *something* binding the two together."

This was called a conservative arrangement by some on the panel, but I think the conservative aspect is more the lack of elaborate running passages and impressario piano skills than adaptation and interpretation of the source material. As John so eloquentafiably points out with his edumacated phrasing skillz, there's a certain art to simpler, more stripped-down arrangement; if this had been played without the same attention to dynamics, for example, it would fail on so many levels. But they're there, and keep the cool side cool and the hot side hot, McDLT-style. It's not a whiz-bang peformance and doesn't culminate in a torrent of activity, which some may be expecting and feel disappointed at the lack of, but the understated tone, clarity (compositionally, and now sonically as well), and overall delivery make this a mix I'll come back to and which speaks and says plenty without any call for more ornate or emphatic implementation.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

you know some people might think that everyone is heavily biased towards listening and making music for the final fantasy series, but listen to this track and i think its easy to see that it is done for good reason. A story like that is more than a game, its an experience. I know it sounds dumb but its true. If i die and there is a heaven, i will inevitably be thrown into that world which is so beautiful. I look back on that game with so many fond memories, its hard to shake.
This track reflects everything about this game that is marvelous. Moreover, its like revisiting the entire game in 5 minutes because of how well balanced in diversity it is. It has the positive and negative in powerful contrast, with all the spirituality of a Hayao Miyazaki film.
All i can say is thank you for the trip into memory.
From a technical perspective, the dissonance between notes is outstanding, as is the tender attention to percussive dynamics.
I agree with the writeup, indeed it was like watching someone draw a perfect circle.
I want this played at my wedding. To be honest, i really might :)
*listens to it again*

- davidicus on October 6, 2007

One of my all time favs at OCR. Can't get enough of the minimalist insanely emotional pieces. The tone of the piano compliments the composition. The human performance aspect is def the bread winner for the mix.

- avaris on October 5, 2007

Three cheers for this remix! A number of piano versions of songs on this site are just that...piano versions. But this mix goes beyond the source material in a very moving way. Especially love the stuff between 3:05 and 3:30.

- Avatar of Justice on December 6, 2006

BogusRed wrote: Actually the source is the Overworld Main theme although often times that's considered the characters main theme. There is a link right to it on the page for the remix.
I think it's track 1 of the 2nd disc of the 4 disc soundtrack.

The piece is amazing and is one of my favorite OC remixes of all time. My one question is when will we see new stuff from you?

- Ranael on July 8, 2006

I thought this was a really good arrangment. I haven't heard the original and that usually makes the songs not fun for me to listen to, but I really enjoyed this one. Good job.

- Felix the Cat on July 8, 2006

^ I completely second those last two comments. I don't know how you do it, I just don't know how you do it!!!! You just take an idea and run with it...BEAUTIFULLY! It's as if you sit down at the piano and you're playing this tune as it comes to you. I don't know how to explain it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess when you make a remix like this, you do it by exploring different sides of the main theme in a way that you see other ways to communicate the atmosphere, style, etc. and that's what gives rise to the different motifs/sounds (can't find the right word for it) that you weave together, like the one at the beginning and the one that builds from 4:48 or so.
Well, that's the way I see it, it could be completely different, but all I can say at this point is that it's a true masterpiece not to be forgotten, whether you have played FFVII or not, you gotta love it.

- lady zelda on January 15, 2006

This has a kind of careful piano, not rushing through everything, instead taking it easy and lets every note talk for itself. When it finally gets some more speed at 2:40, it gets real beautiful and professional when the notes just fly past you and absorbs into your ears. Then it gets calm again, and then a touching finish to make it all a remix definitly worth a download.
Then we all listened happily ever after.
The End

- Bummerdude on September 21, 2005

I absolutley love your take on the FFVII theme! To me, it's an inspiratiion. I'm inspired by how you played this piece. Perhaps it's the fact that I myself am an aspiring pianist. Or just the fact that it's from FFVII, one of my favorite games of the series. But whatever the case this is top notch, 10/ 10! Something only a real pianist can do!

- Kuma_Joe on September 18, 2005

it is much more colourful and emotive than KlUtZ'es take on the theme... his was just kinda lacking human emotion in it's composition.
I've noticed that your music brings back to mind fond and precious memories long forgotten in the heavy mists of my life.
it's so brilliant!
your music isnt perfect note for note... and thats a plus for you, it allows emotion and live to reside within the melody as it echos through time, like gold endebting its brilliant color due to imperfections.
... sorry... I get like that sometimes... sorry if I stretched the screen... :oops:

- Jabberbox on August 19, 2005

Actually the source is the Overworld Main theme although often times that's considered the characters main theme. There is a link right to it on the page for the remix.
I think it's track 1 of the 2nd disc of the 4 disc soundtrack.

- BogusRed on June 29, 2005

...i'm trying to find the source of the original song... I can't find it.

The original song is 'Cloud's Theme'. I think it's pretty easy to find versions of it online...and I mean I can kiiinddaa see what the judges meant by 'too little interpretation,' cause it is orchestral to start with and has pretty much the same strucutre. However, I lerve this song so much. The piano interpretation was definitely excellent. kudos

- Sentiental on June 29, 2005

Awesome arranging/playing job. Sheet music would always be nice!
*does cute doggie-eyes* :pretzel:
edit: n/m - the midis on your site prove more than sufficient :)

- Qcvar on June 29, 2005

BogusRed has done a beautiful job of taking the FF VII main theme and putting it wholly on the piano, going beyond the restraints of the orriginal melody, and adding more notes that bring out the grace of the piece.
Kudos to BogusRed, my hat is off to you.
~Twitch3

- Twitch3 on June 21, 2005

This is an awesome remix, though i'm trying to find the source of the original song... I can't find it.

- Snooper_1989 on June 21, 2005

This is a beautiful remix. I know I might be biased because I have a spot in my heart for piano solos. I really enjoyed this remix as it brought back memories of the game and its characters. Very emotive
I especially love the quiet part at 1:59, it felt so heart warming to listen to it, and the powerful part at 2:41. Definitely recommended.

- Meji on June 18, 2005

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