The Legend of Zelda – Wind Waker: ‘Hyrulian Highlands’

This arrangement attempts to elaborate on some of the Celtic themes in the “Wind Waker” soundtrack. The low brass section often imitates the drone of bagpipes, while strings and woodwinds mimic the lilt of the chanter throughout the piece. Especially attentive listeners might detect very brief nods to the overture of Disney’s “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” by the Sherman Brothers, and Lerner and Loewe’s musical “Brigadoon.” The song was recorded live at the Gamer Symphony Orchestra’s Spring 2010 concert on May 8 at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Center. The mandolin solo was performed by Katie Noble.

GSO President and flugelhornist Rob Garner started this arrangement early in 2009, shortly after Katie joined the ensemble as a violinist. When it became apparent that Katie also played mandolin—and actually owned one—he began working on the piece.

As for its title, should it be “Hyrulian” or “Hylian”? According to the Internet, either could be correct, though “Hylian” seems to refer more commonly to a race, with “Hyrulian” referring to a nationality. Rob went with “Hyrulian” to give the title a more brogue-ish and alliterative feel.

Inspiration for the style of this arrangement came from English composer Gustav Holst’s “Second Suite in F” (Op. 28, No. 2), specifically the first and fourth movements. Holst wrote the suite in 1911 and based it on English folk songs.

I’m supposed to write something funny, witty or related to tits here but I’m too busy listening to this arrangement by the Game Symphony Orchestra. While Zelda remixes, and Wind Waker remixes specifically are rather common around the internet, this arrangement rather than remix deserves special notice because of the whole symphony thing. You can listen to more stuff from these guys here and more game remixes directly at ocremix.org