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Gerudo Valley (from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time")

from Horns of Hyrule by The Game Brass

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Peter Gavin
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about

Gerudo Valley is one of the catchiest and most iconic themes from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and I would say that this arrangement is probably the most stylized of any of the tracks of Horns of Hyrule. The source material is well-known for its rhythmic Spanish guitars, which is a very different instrument combination compared to this 16-piece brass ensemble. Thus, the first challenge for me when arranging this piece is "how do I preserve the energy and feel from Gerudo Valley without having dedicated rhythm instruments."

The second challenge comes from the chord progression; though the melodies change, Gerudo Valley uses the same four chords on repeat throughout the entire piece. However, a goal that I had for all the Horns of Hyrule arrangements is that I want each piece to have a satisfying emotional arc which would resonate with an audience regardless of whether or not they're familiar with the source material. Thus, the second challenge is "how do I create a dynamic arrangement when the source harmonic material is comparatively static."

Before getting ready to try my own hand at this arrangement, I distinctly remember listening to several other covers of this theme that use different instrumentation, including the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary orchestral CD, and paid close attention to how these other renditions answered these questions. The way that I approached preserving energy was through asymmetric rhythm -- for example, the opening riff is notated in 15/16 and makes frequent use of a 4-against-3 polymeter, and there are many other rhythmic variations and syncopations throughout the piece.

I also tried to play to the distinct strengths of this brass ensemble. Using two flugelhorns (special thanks to Matt Brockman!) increased the brightness of the ensemble in a way that reflects Gerudo's desert sun. Unisons sound powerful on brass instruments, especially when horns and trombones are involved. And Isaac and Alex are both phenomenal tuba players who were able to handle extremely challenging fast passages in tuba's lowest register!

This track's video is the last from Horns of Hyrule to be released on the Game Brass YouTube channel, and I just want to say that arranging these tracks and putting together this album has been a dream project come true. Zelda is a franchise that's stuck with me for most of my entire life, and it means the world to have so much incredible talent lend their abilities to make this project a reality. Thanks for listening!

credits

from Horns of Hyrule, released July 23, 2021
John Robert Matz: Piccolo Trumpet
Avery Yonehiro: Trumpet
David Ortiz: Trumpet
Matthew Gagliardo: Trumpet
Robby Duguay: Flugelhorn
Matthew Brockman: Flugelhorn
Danny Flam: French Horn
JohnStacy: French Horn
Lauren Stacy: French Horn
Daniel Romberger: Trombone, Arrangement
Eric L.: Trombone
Allison Martin: Trombone
Lisa Liz: Bass Trombone
Abigail Lannan: Euphonium
Isaac Smith: Tuba
Alex Hill: Tuba
Thomas Kresge: Mix Engineer

Originally Composed by Koji Kondo
Arranged by Daniel Romberger

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The Game Brass

The Game Brass is a brass quintet (and friends) who make covers of video game music. Their mission to become the brass quintet of video games, bringing classical chops to the game world, and showing off game music in the classical world. Featuring:
John Robert Matz (Trumpet),
Robby Duguay (Trumpet),
JohnStacy (French Horn),
Daniel Romberger (Trombone),
Alex Hill (Tuba) ... more

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