ReMix:Final Fantasy VI "Cantata for Dancing: I. Mors ego sum mortis" 6:31

By Derek Oren, Jeremy Robson

Arranging the music of 2 songs...

"Dancing Mad", "Terra"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2007-05-29, evaluated by the judges panel


Epic. Robson teams up with newcomer Derek Oren for an FF6 ReMix unlike anything you've heard, featuring the most choral emphasis of any submission I can think of offhand. Mr. Robson writes:

"It's been a while since my last submission, and this time I teamed up one Derek Oren - who's a great sample artist way beyond my abilities with that sort of thing - in order to create a multi-movement cantata based on everyone's favourite Dancing Mad from Final Fantasy 6."

Derek writes:

"Working with Jeremy on this project was a huge honor. When we first started working on this project together I knew right away that with his composing, arranging talents and my sampling and editing skills we would produce something great. Most challenging part of this collaboration was getting the choir to blend with the orchestra. Once we got that taken care of it was a breeze. Both Jeremy and I hope that you enjoy the first movement of themes surrounding the character Kefka from Final Fantasy VI (my favorite)"

The choir pretty much dominates the entire piece, with a Latin lyric that gives the necessary timbral variety. It's wonderfully tricky to get this sort of natural language feel for even a few words, so putting together an entire lyric must have been a good bit of work, and in this instance the arrangement demands it and succeeds because of it. Without actual words, just "oohs" and "aahs", this would be an entirely different and lesser composition. With this added dimension, it's a serious, dramatic, and uber-compelling work. This is important from a mix evaluation perspective as well, since other aspects of the arrangement stick fairly close to the source material, which is of course fairly familiar to most. Mr. Oji writes:

"For the most part, the arrangement held fast to the structure of the original, but the writing is nicely expanded and personalized with epic-sounding spices."

There's no denying that this was a very effective collaboration; Robson's always had orchestral composition chops, but Derek's contribution of more refined sampling skills, and in this case particularly the impressive choral work, adds icing to an already satisfying cake. The result is a breathtaking, epic take on Kefka that plays to the strengths of both artists and channels cinematic grandeur and classical power in a cauldron of choral colors.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
OA
on 2010-09-01 16:23:24

There are some original accents to this, but overall it felt a little too similar to the original for a good duration. The sequencing was all really good, and the vocals sounded really good. That wordbuilder is a total pain in the ass to use, so mad props from me. Seems like the words at 3:45 were a little behind the beat, but otherwise it was synched well. The instrumental runs were well handled, and there is a distinct flair in the arrangement, but I almost wish this was performed live, as the samples don't seem good enough for this type of writing.

Regardless, pretty damn epic, you guys should be proud of your work. :-)

avatar
a_d
on 2010-08-22 00:14:27

I was just about to ask about the lyrics and how they pertain to Kefka (I haven't actually played the game, but I know the story more or less). Genius had some interesting light to shed on it. "You, undertake for these people's souls"? Hm. Does that fit Kefka? I dunno. But it sounds like it fits Satan well.

avatar
derako
on 2010-03-25 09:16:34

The second however, is an actual question.

The third line reads in Latin: "Tu suscipe pro animabus illis".

The English translation reads: "whom today we commemorate."

Could anyone please tell me how you get one from the other? Unless I am mistaken, "suscipe" is the imperative of "suscipio," meaning "undertake," "support", or "receive". So a translation of the Latin would be something like, "You, undertake for these people's souls."

Hmm.. I guess my Latin translation needs some work eh? :)!!

avatar
genius11433
on 2010-03-24 23:40:57

This is a very good remix. Truly something that Kefka, in his egotism, would think he is worthy of. However, I have taken Latin in college, and I have a few comments about the lyrics.

The first comment, I will admit, is a bit nit-picky. "Lacrimosa" is translated as "mournful tear." However, lacrimosa is an adjective; it simply means "mournful" or "tearful." You'd need two words to get "mournful tear." "Lacrima lacrimosa" would do the trick (and it's alliterative, too).

The second however, is an actual question.

The third line reads in Latin: "Tu suscipe pro animabus illis".

The English translation reads: "whom today we commemorate."

Could anyone please tell me how you get one from the other? Unless I am mistaken, "suscipe" is the imperative of "suscipio," meaning "undertake," "support", or "receive". So a translation of the Latin would be something like, "You, undertake for these people's souls."

avatar
co298
on 2010-03-21 23:39:42

Really epic remix. Quality arranging too. But I'd really like to hear this done live with a full orchestra and choir, just like all the other posts have said lol. It just sounds a little flat.

avatar
Sorceror Nobody
on 2009-04-21 11:36:21
Lucentas said:

This. Arrangement. Is. Epic.

I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.

I think everyone in the audience would die from the awesomeness though.

I totally agree! I didn't know these two ReMixes even existed (because, due to being numbered over 1500, they weren't in the torrents) until I looked at the Dancing Mad page on the FFWiki, where it lists these two (along with waxingeloquent's two). And I'm so glad I've found them, because they are incredible. We deffo need more of these!

Live performance would be cool, but I think the audience would more than die... they'd all probably a splode!

Oh, and what are the "blips" at 2:15 and 3:59? I couldn't hear them. Has the ReMix been reuploaded with it fixed, or am I playing it far too quietly? :P

avatar
derako
on 2009-03-14 22:53:01
can't stop listening to these 2!

had them on my previous cellphone for a year and never grew tired of them... more orchestral pieces for OCR! =P

Yes I agree more quality orchestral pieces. And also thanks for listening. :-P

avatar
Platonist
on 2009-03-14 19:51:39

can't stop listening to these 2!

had them on my previous cellphone for a year and never grew tired of them... more orchestral pieces for OCR! =P

avatar
geffrod
on 2009-01-28 00:50:48
That's really great news. I love this piece, and can't wait to hear more of your combined efforts.

Also, the person talking about the blip at, what 2:15, is right. I do hear something, whether it's supposed to be there or not, I don't know, but I did hear what he was talking about. There is actually a softer one at 3:59. But agian, it could just be the music and it stands out to me.

~Syruss

I hear it @ 2:15 and 3:59 also. It's an unmistakable sound. The first time was loud as hell and forgivable, the second time was... whatever. Quality control is essential is what I'm getting at. However, If I'm just hearing things, feel free to bash me or something. I'm pretty sure I hear the error sound.

avatar
42
on 2009-01-25 23:17:46

*snaps fingers*

The Fire Temple from Ocarina of Time.

It just hit me. This mix, at least the intro, reminds me of the Fire temple from OoT.

Very epic mix and highly temple worthy.

I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.

That would be the Coolest Thing Evar! :shock:

avatar
Lucentas
on 2008-12-06 16:45:22

This. Arrangement. Is. Epic.

I would love to see this performed by a full live orchestra plus a choir of substantial size.

I think everyone in the audience would die from the awesomeness though.

avatar
Orochimanda
on 2008-04-24 13:21:41

What a great arrangement! That was absolutely epic, magic and simply amazing. It's hard to believe... How did you compose this song? This game makes me so nostalgic, this is one of my favourite song from this OST, and I also like Kefka's character. Great use of choir, in the second part I loved the use of organ (my favourite instrument). I recently devote time to music, especially classical music, video games music and I learn the piano, that's why I have a long trail to clock up your skill and your level.

You have a great talent, I was waiting for a piece like this for years. I wish you good cheer for your next compositions. ;-)

(Sorry for my possible spelling errors, I am french :razz:)

avatar
nodweeb
on 2007-12-13 21:33:41

Well since I listened to the second movement first I thought I would listen to the one that started it and wow you guys this is amazing. I mean yes in both pieces you can tell that they were made with samples but were you trying to hide that? To a person without a trained ear you couldn't tell the difference... Anyways props to both of you for putting so much hard work into these pieces of music. They have enriched my life and inspired me and that takes a lot. Much love to both of you.

Laura

avatar
StandingInMotion
on 2007-10-10 14:16:52

I realize that this arrangement is a little old for commenting, but I want to anyway because I love this piece, as well as the second.

First off, let me say that when the choir first came in, I felt a tingle in my ears and down my spine. Prolly because I have never heard a remix use a choir that sounded this realistic... in fact, it DOES sound like I'm sitting in the back of a concert hall listening to this being performed! However...

My favorite part of Dancing Mad is the final part of Movement One... where the piece picks up with the dramatic hits and so forth... For some reason (maybe my ears are just broken) at 1:42 when the xylophone comes in to play those (sixteenth-note?) runs, it seems to just barely lag behind the beat... I mean, just barely. But then around 1:46 when the xylophone stops and the strings play a more dominant quarter-note rhythm, whatever time was lost gets picked back up... After that... well, it's just back to being perfect.

Thanks for this wonderful submission!

avatar
derako
on 2007-09-18 20:16:39
YES. I wait with much anticipation for part II. This is pretty much how I dreamed Dancing Mad would sound if orchestrated. Excellent, excellent work.

Thank you for the compliment. Hopefully I will get this choir finished and submit it to the judges soon. Again thank you for your support

-Derek-

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Dancing Mad"
"Terra"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Classical
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Orchestral,Singing,Vocals: Male
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original
Time > Duration: Long

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_6_Cantata_for_Dancing_I_Mors_ego_sum_mortis_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,353,636 bytes
MD5:
9c7a3e069db5e169dd1f5cce336a54e4
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
6:31

LATIN:

Vae victis, lacrimosa, gloriosa
Rex Aeterna
Ah
Tu suscipe pro animabus illis
Mors ego sum mortis

ENGLISH:

Woe to the vanquished, mournful tear, glorious
Eternal King
Ah
whom today we commemorate
I am the death of death

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes