PIPE ORGANS RANKED + REVIEWED
The professional opinion of a non-professional organist
201 Games
Rating: BAD
Track: Red Moon
Oh, there's a pipe organ in this? Sure there is: can't you hear the repetitive arpeggiations? That's what pipe organs are supposed to do, right? That's what a pipe organ is? That's why they exist, is to always do this and nothing else? Right?
Track: Red Moon
Oh, there's a pipe organ in this? Sure there is: can't you hear the repetitive arpeggiations? That's what pipe organs are supposed to do, right? That's what a pipe organ is? That's why they exist, is to always do this and nothing else? Right?
Rating: GOOD
Track: Tatsh feat. K. Nayuki
Wow! I've shamed other games on this list for unsuccessfully trying to merge organ music with pop music - while dance music and pop music aren't quite the same, I am impressed at how well they mingle here. The difference between this and the other games that try is that the organ here is not accommodating the dance music, it's an organic part that doesn't sacrifice any aspect of itself to belong in the ensemble. The organ is making great use of its full register, it's employing some great harmonic movements, but it's not doing this despite the dance music, it's doing this because of it. These two aspects are working together to support each other rather than trying to make one change to better suit the other. Games that try to use the organ for more modern pop-styled music should take notes.
Track: Tatsh feat. K. Nayuki
Wow! I've shamed other games on this list for unsuccessfully trying to merge organ music with pop music - while dance music and pop music aren't quite the same, I am impressed at how well they mingle here. The difference between this and the other games that try is that the organ here is not accommodating the dance music, it's an organic part that doesn't sacrifice any aspect of itself to belong in the ensemble. The organ is making great use of its full register, it's employing some great harmonic movements, but it's not doing this despite the dance music, it's doing this because of it. These two aspects are working together to support each other rather than trying to make one change to better suit the other. Games that try to use the organ for more modern pop-styled music should take notes.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Bloody Tears
The use of the organ in the middle of intense drum and bass is really funny. I appreciate the effort and the intention, but in this case it's just two flavors that wind up not really having anything to do with each other. The organ is used so sparingly that it feels separate from everything else, like they only included it because it's a Castlevania track so it needs an organ. Well, take a look around - Castlevania doesn't actually use the organ that often!! I suppose the difference is that Castlevania never feels obligated to use an organ the way this clearly does; what that results in is the actual Castlevania organs being much stronger showings than this one.
Track: Bloody Tears
The use of the organ in the middle of intense drum and bass is really funny. I appreciate the effort and the intention, but in this case it's just two flavors that wind up not really having anything to do with each other. The organ is used so sparingly that it feels separate from everything else, like they only included it because it's a Castlevania track so it needs an organ. Well, take a look around - Castlevania doesn't actually use the organ that often!! I suppose the difference is that Castlevania never feels obligated to use an organ the way this clearly does; what that results in is the actual Castlevania organs being much stronger showings than this one.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Spirits' Chapel, Rotting Forest
I'm really into how weird and meandering this is! I can imagine some Nostalgia Critic-imitator trying to punch up how "dissonant" this is (secretly revealing how boring their music taste is), but I mean, it works! It sets an excellently off-putting, uneasy tone. A pipe organ in a Dracula game isn't an especially novel idea but these unconventional progressions and voicings are pretty neat.
Track: Spirits' Chapel, Rotting Forest
I'm really into how weird and meandering this is! I can imagine some Nostalgia Critic-imitator trying to punch up how "dissonant" this is (secretly revealing how boring their music taste is), but I mean, it works! It sets an excellently off-putting, uneasy tone. A pipe organ in a Dracula game isn't an especially novel idea but these unconventional progressions and voicings are pretty neat.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Please God, God of Decadence
A pair of truly beautiful chorales. God of Decadence is what elevates this game to be so high on the list, but both are excellent in their own right.
Tracks: Please God, God of Decadence
A pair of truly beautiful chorales. God of Decadence is what elevates this game to be so high on the list, but both are excellent in their own right.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Chapel, Game Over, Throne Fights
Surprisingly for a Castlevania game, the organ music here is pretty underwhelming. Certainly not bad, but at least personally I can never seem to remember much about these tracks without going back to listen to them again. The organ is used effectively in the ensemble, but obviously there's something missing here to make anything about them stand out.
Tracks: Chapel, Game Over, Throne Fights
Surprisingly for a Castlevania game, the organ music here is pretty underwhelming. Certainly not bad, but at least personally I can never seem to remember much about these tracks without going back to listen to them again. The organ is used effectively in the ensemble, but obviously there's something missing here to make anything about them stand out.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: Prologue, Successor of Fate, Epilogue
"Harmony of Dissonance" is right! Very very strange harmonies in this, but never feeling unnecessary. There's a thoughtfulness behind it all that makes the lack-of-relation between chords still feel like they click into a meaningful place. Where most video game organ music leans more Baroque, this leans more Expressionist, which is a side of the organ that doesn't often appear in games. Great to see it show up here!
Tracks: Prologue, Successor of Fate, Epilogue
"Harmony of Dissonance" is right! Very very strange harmonies in this, but never feeling unnecessary. There's a thoughtfulness behind it all that makes the lack-of-relation between chords still feel like they click into a meaningful place. Where most video game organ music leans more Baroque, this leans more Expressionist, which is a side of the organ that doesn't often appear in games. Great to see it show up here!
Rating: BAD
Track: Eden
Horribly uninspired organ runs over a typical choir and orchestra. Completely unmemorable.
Track: Eden
Horribly uninspired organ runs over a typical choir and orchestra. Completely unmemorable.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: The Nexus, Old King Allant
Oh this is what I like. I love the room to breathe in these, the silences punctuating such powerful bellows is excellent. Gorgeously colorful yet dark writing, deliberate with its sparseness and squeamish harmonies. Despite this, the tracks are quite simple and quite short, so it's nothing that'll stick with me, but the tracks are wonderful while they're around.
Tracks: The Nexus, Old King Allant
Oh this is what I like. I love the room to breathe in these, the silences punctuating such powerful bellows is excellent. Gorgeously colorful yet dark writing, deliberate with its sparseness and squeamish harmonies. Despite this, the tracks are quite simple and quite short, so it's nothing that'll stick with me, but the tracks are wonderful while they're around.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Church
The organ only appears here in short little burst, but they are fascinating little bursts, though they're also just a little repetitive. It gets the job done though!
Track: Church
The organ only appears here in short little burst, but they are fascinating little bursts, though they're also just a little repetitive. It gets the job done though!
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Ending
The organ shades the color of this piece excellently. The texture of this piece is fascinating, and the use of a pipe organ is an excellent choice that even I wouldn't have thought of – and I'm constantly trying to find places to use pipe organs!! The writing isn't too impressive but that's not really what the point is here. It's about the texture. The organ's clearly defined place in this slippery, dreamy ensemble speaks well to its deliberate and considered implementation.
Track: Ending
The organ shades the color of this piece excellently. The texture of this piece is fascinating, and the use of a pipe organ is an excellent choice that even I wouldn't have thought of – and I'm constantly trying to find places to use pipe organs!! The writing isn't too impressive but that's not really what the point is here. It's about the texture. The organ's clearly defined place in this slippery, dreamy ensemble speaks well to its deliberate and considered implementation.
Rating: BAD
Track: Saint's Prayer
The jingle is iconic, but woefully boring.
Track: Saint's Prayer
The jingle is iconic, but woefully boring.
Rating: BORING
Tracks: The Saint, Church, Save
Finally a Dragon Quest game that uses a pipe organ for something other than the church jingles! Too bad it's not much more interesting than those jingles either way.
Tracks: The Saint, Church, Save
Finally a Dragon Quest game that uses a pipe organ for something other than the church jingles! Too bad it's not much more interesting than those jingles either way.
Rating: BORING
Tracks: Elegy, Ghosts
Not much to care about in this one. Sounds like someone whose only experience with this kind of music comes from other video games. Aimless.
Tracks: Elegy, Ghosts
Not much to care about in this one. Sounds like someone whose only experience with this kind of music comes from other video games. Aimless.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Baram's Chasm, Rose Temple
The interplay with the strings in Rose Temple is a lot of fun, and the opportunities it has to be the main focus there are also executed very well. It's just a bit flat for my tastes, it never feels like it's developing much for or towards anything, but for what it is Rose Temple is a perfectly fine piece of organ music in a video game. Better than Baram's Chasm, at least.
Track: Baram's Chasm, Rose Temple
The interplay with the strings in Rose Temple is a lot of fun, and the opportunities it has to be the main focus there are also executed very well. It's just a bit flat for my tastes, it never feels like it's developing much for or towards anything, but for what it is Rose Temple is a perfectly fine piece of organ music in a video game. Better than Baram's Chasm, at least.
Rating: BORING
Track: Stage 1
I was shocked to see a game like this existed, and shocked again to immediately hear a pipe organ in the first stage. What I was not shocked by is how bog-standard the organ writing is!
Track: Stage 1
I was shocked to see a game like this existed, and shocked again to immediately hear a pipe organ in the first stage. What I was not shocked by is how bog-standard the organ writing is!
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: 弱い者は死になさい, 光と闇, 祈リ
The first organ piece in this game immediately quotes Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which hilariously sets the tone perfectly for exactly what we're dealing with here. Just some basic, bare-bones Baroque organing. Astonishingly normal. No risks or any kind of inspiration at all, we're running around the circle of fifths and laying down some plagal cadences. Maybe use a secondary function somewhere and we can call it a day.
Track: 弱い者は死になさい, 光と闇, 祈リ
The first organ piece in this game immediately quotes Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which hilariously sets the tone perfectly for exactly what we're dealing with here. Just some basic, bare-bones Baroque organing. Astonishingly normal. No risks or any kind of inspiration at all, we're running around the circle of fifths and laying down some plagal cadences. Maybe use a secondary function somewhere and we can call it a day.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Lurking Enemy Castle 2
In a soundtrack so steeped in traditional Japanese culture (which is rendered lovingly even with such limited technology), I was surprised to find such a bouncy, authentic, Western-classical-styled toccata for what surely must be a pipe organ! Three-part counterpoint flying by and weaving around itself, each voice tossing points of interest between each other, this is just a wonderful piece of organ writing.
Track: Lurking Enemy Castle 2
In a soundtrack so steeped in traditional Japanese culture (which is rendered lovingly even with such limited technology), I was surprised to find such a bouncy, authentic, Western-classical-styled toccata for what surely must be a pipe organ! Three-part counterpoint flying by and weaving around itself, each voice tossing points of interest between each other, this is just a wonderful piece of organ writing.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Teteo's Feelings, Pope Galades, Crystal Temple, Final Decisive Battle
A lot of the organ's use in this soundtrack is for the cultural recognition of its grandiosity and bombast; it does not, however, really do much besides recall the fact that organs are "supposed" to feel so powerful. It seems to be content alluding to the towering presence of a pipe organ without really writing anything that incites that kind of impression. The more gentle flute stops used in Teteo's Feelings are incredibly charming and would have been an excellent flavor to keep as a consistent part of the soundtrack's more naturalistic palette - such a shame that they're used once then put away!!
Tracks: Teteo's Feelings, Pope Galades, Crystal Temple, Final Decisive Battle
A lot of the organ's use in this soundtrack is for the cultural recognition of its grandiosity and bombast; it does not, however, really do much besides recall the fact that organs are "supposed" to feel so powerful. It seems to be content alluding to the towering presence of a pipe organ without really writing anything that incites that kind of impression. The more gentle flute stops used in Teteo's Feelings are incredibly charming and would have been an excellent flavor to keep as a consistent part of the soundtrack's more naturalistic palette - such a shame that they're used once then put away!!
Rating: BORING
Track: Awakening the Order of Phoenix
Every time the organ shows up here is just to reiterate a loose phrase that keeps reappearing throughout the track - the phrase is not especially interesting, and the instances of it on the organ do not particularly warrant the instrument's use. To me this sounds like someone trying to write something that sounds inspired without the inspiration.
Track: Awakening the Order of Phoenix
Every time the organ shows up here is just to reiterate a loose phrase that keeps reappearing throughout the track - the phrase is not especially interesting, and the instances of it on the organ do not particularly warrant the instrument's use. To me this sounds like someone trying to write something that sounds inspired without the inspiration.
Rating: BORING
Track: Last Battle
The organ here quickly pokes its head in every now and then to say a few words before vanishing from the arrangement altogether. They're neat little bursts to punctuate the piece with, but the organ doesn't really seem to have a justified place in the ensemble.
Track: Last Battle
The organ here quickly pokes its head in every now and then to say a few words before vanishing from the arrangement altogether. They're neat little bursts to punctuate the piece with, but the organ doesn't really seem to have a justified place in the ensemble.
Rating: BAD
Tracks: Chateau d'Oraguille, Castle Zvahl
Man! As far as organs sitting around not doing anything are concerned, this one is particularly lethargic. Literal minutes on end of just droning out a pedal tone and only every now and then does it shift to a different chord. The Chateau at least gets a few moments of, uh, actual writing, but it's so lacking in any meaning that it's still just as wearisome as anything else the organ does in this soundtrack. Shameful.
Tracks: Chateau d'Oraguille, Castle Zvahl
Man! As far as organs sitting around not doing anything are concerned, this one is particularly lethargic. Literal minutes on end of just droning out a pedal tone and only every now and then does it shift to a different chord. The Chateau at least gets a few moments of, uh, actual writing, but it's so lacking in any meaning that it's still just as wearisome as anything else the organ does in this soundtrack. Shameful.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Legendary Inheritance, Shaman in the Dark
The Game Boy Advance certainly isn't doing this organ any favors... But even still, accepting this organ for its writing rather than its meek tone, there's something to appreciate here with Shaman in the Dark. It follows the tried-and-true Baroque structure of looping around the circle of fifths, which may be a little typical sure, but shoot, it's used a lot for a reason! It's just a great sequence that always satisfies. It doesn't really do too much besides that though, the melodic line just kind of walks around to different chord tones and calls it a day; there isn't any real intrigue with the accompanying arpeggios either. Even if this piece had a more dignified appearance on a console more accommodating than the Game Boy Advance, I still don't think it'd impress all that much.
Tracks: Legendary Inheritance, Shaman in the Dark
The Game Boy Advance certainly isn't doing this organ any favors... But even still, accepting this organ for its writing rather than its meek tone, there's something to appreciate here with Shaman in the Dark. It follows the tried-and-true Baroque structure of looping around the circle of fifths, which may be a little typical sure, but shoot, it's used a lot for a reason! It's just a great sequence that always satisfies. It doesn't really do too much besides that though, the melodic line just kind of walks around to different chord tones and calls it a day; there isn't any real intrigue with the accompanying arpeggios either. Even if this piece had a more dignified appearance on a console more accommodating than the Game Boy Advance, I still don't think it'd impress all that much.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Track 21
Intoxicating meandering that finds a direction in its own directionless to wind through some harmonic sequences that only seem to be concerned with one thing: is the phrase moving upwards or downwards? Conventional cadences and chordal relationships are foregone for surprisingly heartfelt passages that just seem to happen upon chords rather than intentionally arriving to them. A transient beauty that's characteristic of early FromSoftware titles.
Track: Track 21
Intoxicating meandering that finds a direction in its own directionless to wind through some harmonic sequences that only seem to be concerned with one thing: is the phrase moving upwards or downwards? Conventional cadences and chordal relationships are foregone for surprisingly heartfelt passages that just seem to happen upon chords rather than intentionally arriving to them. A transient beauty that's characteristic of early FromSoftware titles.
Rating: BORING
Tracks: Opening, Red Arremer Appears, Citadel Approach, Astaroth Appears, Final Boss Battle, Final Boss Defeated, Credits (Secret Ending)
Any presence the pipe organ typically commands has been sand-papered down to a mushy gelatin that slips between the teeth of these tracks. The only time the pipe organ has any kind of significance at all is during Astaroth Appears, every other time it's just a part of an obligatory backdrop. Yawn.
Tracks: Opening, Red Arremer Appears, Citadel Approach, Astaroth Appears, Final Boss Battle, Final Boss Defeated, Credits (Secret Ending)
Any presence the pipe organ typically commands has been sand-papered down to a mushy gelatin that slips between the teeth of these tracks. The only time the pipe organ has any kind of significance at all is during Astaroth Appears, every other time it's just a part of an obligatory backdrop. Yawn.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: The Man
An unsatisfying attempt at trying to bridge the gap between the Baroque era and rock music - unfortunately it falls a little flat by stifling the expressiveness of Baroque counterpoint so any particular lead instrument can do some fast runs over top of big, fat block chords from the organ and rhythm section. The organ isn't pulling much weight and, by trying to juggle two flavors at once, the piece clearly seems to favor one flavor over the other. The rock elements are fine, but it's substandard writing for the organ.
Track: The Man
An unsatisfying attempt at trying to bridge the gap between the Baroque era and rock music - unfortunately it falls a little flat by stifling the expressiveness of Baroque counterpoint so any particular lead instrument can do some fast runs over top of big, fat block chords from the organ and rhythm section. The organ isn't pulling much weight and, by trying to juggle two flavors at once, the piece clearly seems to favor one flavor over the other. The rock elements are fine, but it's substandard writing for the organ.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: The GOD bites own lip in chagrin, The Cat Attached to the Rust
Interesting genre combinations here! The Cat Attached to the Rust uses the pipe organ alongside a folksy combination of acoustic guitar and whistling to invoke this kind of mish-mashed Americana style, half-parts bluegrass and half-parts gospel. It's really pretty! The organ writing here is simple but effective, and its place in the ensemble is unique - one of the more inspired creative decisions on this list!
Tracks: The GOD bites own lip in chagrin, The Cat Attached to the Rust
Interesting genre combinations here! The Cat Attached to the Rust uses the pipe organ alongside a folksy combination of acoustic guitar and whistling to invoke this kind of mish-mashed Americana style, half-parts bluegrass and half-parts gospel. It's really pretty! The organ writing here is simple but effective, and its place in the ensemble is unique - one of the more inspired creative decisions on this list!
Rating: GOOD
Track: Boss Battle
A pretty, floating chorale opens way to a toccata-styled groove. It's light on anything too intricate or engrossing, but there is a a fun honesty to it and it's well-executed for what it is.
Track: Boss Battle
A pretty, floating chorale opens way to a toccata-styled groove. It's light on anything too intricate or engrossing, but there is a a fun honesty to it and it's well-executed for what it is.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Toccata
Pretty relaxed for a toccata... Not bad at all though. I'm a fan of the flute stops midway through too, you know I like those more gentle tones. It's clear this was written by someone who isn't too intimately familiar with organ music, but an honest attempt was made and it achieves what it needs to achieve.
Track: Toccata
Pretty relaxed for a toccata... Not bad at all though. I'm a fan of the flute stops midway through too, you know I like those more gentle tones. It's clear this was written by someone who isn't too intimately familiar with organ music, but an honest attempt was made and it achieves what it needs to achieve.
Rating: GOOD
Track: The Crime
Evocative of the playful sound of when organs were used to accompany movies and theatrical productions in the early 1900's - very very cute! That's a section of organ history that often goes unloved, so it's nice to see a callback to it in a video game cutscene - it's scoring the scene identically to how they would have back in the day. This is one of those things where I can imagine the composer having this epiphany moment of "Oh, it'd be really cute if we scored this part like this" - and it is!
Track: The Crime
Evocative of the playful sound of when organs were used to accompany movies and theatrical productions in the early 1900's - very very cute! That's a section of organ history that often goes unloved, so it's nice to see a callback to it in a video game cutscene - it's scoring the scene identically to how they would have back in the day. This is one of those things where I can imagine the composer having this epiphany moment of "Oh, it'd be really cute if we scored this part like this" - and it is!
Rating: GOOD
Track: Magical Holic, God Bless Prier!, A Heart Filled With Thought
A soundtrack where the organ is - like usual - playing a supporting role, but its texture and charisma are critical to the tone and structure of the pieces it's included in. Gorgeous music with the kind of organ excerpts that perk my ears up and make me say "oh, cool!"
Track: Magical Holic, God Bless Prier!, A Heart Filled With Thought
A soundtrack where the organ is - like usual - playing a supporting role, but its texture and charisma are critical to the tone and structure of the pieces it's included in. Gorgeous music with the kind of organ excerpts that perk my ears up and make me say "oh, cool!"
Rating: BORING
Track: Gaudy Church
The tone of the organ here is gorgeous for a SNES game, but unfortunately it's just not really doing much of anything at all. This piece in its entirety is great, but the organ just is not pulling its weight.
Track: Gaudy Church
The tone of the organ here is gorgeous for a SNES game, but unfortunately it's just not really doing much of anything at all. This piece in its entirety is great, but the organ just is not pulling its weight.
Rating: BORING
Track: Boo Lake
It sure does use a pipe organ for a couple measures. It doesn't do anything particularly "wrong," but it is embarrassingly short and tediously superficial.
Track: Boo Lake
It sure does use a pipe organ for a couple measures. It doesn't do anything particularly "wrong," but it is embarrassingly short and tediously superficial.
Rating: GOOD
Track: The Hilltop Mausoleum
Wow!! This one leaves quite an impression pretty immediately. By now you must be familiar with how much I love "big, juicy chords" on the pipe organ - well here we are again, with some big juicy chords to blow me away right at the start. Great opening!! This only lasts so long though; once the organ is finished establishing itself, it spends the rest of the track just outlining accompaniment chords for the rest of the ensemble to play on top of. As far as "organ as accompaniment" tracks go (which is a significant percentile of organs on this list), this one at least keeps some sense of momentum, and even gives the organ a few extra measures to shine on its own once again before too long, but it never even comes close to the height of the introduction passage. Sure is a shame it couldn't maintain that energy throughout the entire piece, but even when it gets dialed back, this is still a completely worthy piece of organ writing.
Track: The Hilltop Mausoleum
Wow!! This one leaves quite an impression pretty immediately. By now you must be familiar with how much I love "big, juicy chords" on the pipe organ - well here we are again, with some big juicy chords to blow me away right at the start. Great opening!! This only lasts so long though; once the organ is finished establishing itself, it spends the rest of the track just outlining accompaniment chords for the rest of the ensemble to play on top of. As far as "organ as accompaniment" tracks go (which is a significant percentile of organs on this list), this one at least keeps some sense of momentum, and even gives the organ a few extra measures to shine on its own once again before too long, but it never even comes close to the height of the introduction passage. Sure is a shame it couldn't maintain that energy throughout the entire piece, but even when it gets dialed back, this is still a completely worthy piece of organ writing.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Malzeno Battle
The organ writing here is actually pretty engaging, its place in the ensemble is active and dynamic - but it's so quiet in the mix!! Bring that shit forward baby, let me hear that thing sing!! Shake what your mama gave you there's nothing to hide!!
Track: Malzeno Battle
The organ writing here is actually pretty engaging, its place in the ensemble is active and dynamic - but it's so quiet in the mix!! Bring that shit forward baby, let me hear that thing sing!! Shake what your mama gave you there's nothing to hide!!
Rating: BORING
Track: Mithra (4th ver.)
This is something you'd teach to an organ student to get them comfortable with using the pedal board.
Track: Mithra (4th ver.)
This is something you'd teach to an organ student to get them comfortable with using the pedal board.
Rating: BORING
Track: Day of Memories
In a tricky flip of the script, where most games relegate the pipe organ to a lifeless background texture, this game manages to relegate the pipe organ to a lifeless foreground texture. It's honking out a little melodic line that doesn't utilize any unique or meaningful characteristics of the pipe organ at all besides the fact that it has a cultural association with spooky stuff.
Track: Day of Memories
In a tricky flip of the script, where most games relegate the pipe organ to a lifeless background texture, this game manages to relegate the pipe organ to a lifeless foreground texture. It's honking out a little melodic line that doesn't utilize any unique or meaningful characteristics of the pipe organ at all besides the fact that it has a cultural association with spooky stuff.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: Boss Encounter (Gordor Version 1), Boss Encounter (Gordor Version 2), Battle! (Entei), Battle! (Arceus)
Wow! It's great to see so much solo organ music so front-and-center in a Pokemon game. And most of it is pretty good! Gorgor 2 seems more interested in showing off than constructing a meaningful piece of music, but the other ones are great. Arceus in particular really stands out. Gloriously majestic, yet in a way understated. A beautiful pairing with such a powerful being; this is the most reserved battle music I've ever heard from a Pokemon game and it's incredible that it plays while fighting God. Obviously God = religion = pipe organ isn't a terribly inspired train of thought to follow, but refraining from the typical Pokemon maximalism for this more honest refinement is an impeccable choice.
Tracks: Boss Encounter (Gordor Version 1), Boss Encounter (Gordor Version 2), Battle! (Entei), Battle! (Arceus)
Wow! It's great to see so much solo organ music so front-and-center in a Pokemon game. And most of it is pretty good! Gorgor 2 seems more interested in showing off than constructing a meaningful piece of music, but the other ones are great. Arceus in particular really stands out. Gloriously majestic, yet in a way understated. A beautiful pairing with such a powerful being; this is the most reserved battle music I've ever heard from a Pokemon game and it's incredible that it plays while fighting God. Obviously God = religion = pipe organ isn't a terribly inspired train of thought to follow, but refraining from the typical Pokemon maximalism for this more honest refinement is an impeccable choice.
Rating: GREAT
Track: MISSA Requiem
If Dark Souls III is like Fauré's Requiem, this is more like Mozart's. Which shoot, I mean, what a compliment!! I'm not huge on Mozart but I do love that requiem, and similarly this track is phenomenal. Video games love to throw around the word "requiem" just for fun, but this is the first time it seems like it's being used to recall the historical significance of what requiems really are. Would never have expected music so accurate to the late Classical/early Romantic era to wind up in a rhythm game. Magnificent.
Track: MISSA Requiem
If Dark Souls III is like Fauré's Requiem, this is more like Mozart's. Which shoot, I mean, what a compliment!! I'm not huge on Mozart but I do love that requiem, and similarly this track is phenomenal. Video games love to throw around the word "requiem" just for fun, but this is the first time it seems like it's being used to recall the historical significance of what requiems really are. Would never have expected music so accurate to the late Classical/early Romantic era to wind up in a rhythm game. Magnificent.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Organ Style, Horror
Organ Style is just a performance of the fifth movement from Charles-Marie Widor's Symphony for Organ No. 5. And a damn good performance at that! Bravo to Peter James Adcock for a brilliant interpretation of a brilliant piece. Is it unfair to have actual organ repertoire so high on a list of video game music? Only as unfair as it is to include this as part of a game soundtrack in the first place. It was French composers around La Belle Époque like Widor that really drove my interest in music to be something I pursued as significantly as I do now and I can't hide my biases. Top of the list just on principal. (Widor was never one I was specifically interested in though - hit me up if you want to hear more about French composers that actually inspired me, I've got a lot to say and not many people to say it to!!)
Oh uh, and Horror is alright too. It's an original piece and it's got some neat ideas. But I mean, come on. We're all here for Widor.
Tracks: Organ Style, Horror
Organ Style is just a performance of the fifth movement from Charles-Marie Widor's Symphony for Organ No. 5. And a damn good performance at that! Bravo to Peter James Adcock for a brilliant interpretation of a brilliant piece. Is it unfair to have actual organ repertoire so high on a list of video game music? Only as unfair as it is to include this as part of a game soundtrack in the first place. It was French composers around La Belle Époque like Widor that really drove my interest in music to be something I pursued as significantly as I do now and I can't hide my biases. Top of the list just on principal. (Widor was never one I was specifically interested in though - hit me up if you want to hear more about French composers that actually inspired me, I've got a lot to say and not many people to say it to!!)
Oh uh, and Horror is alright too. It's an original piece and it's got some neat ideas. But I mean, come on. We're all here for Widor.
Rating: BAD
Track: Cave Background
Used for some chromatic mediants right at the start before beginning to actually open up into some harmonic phrases that seem like they're going somewhere, but then stops dead in its tracks and lets a completely different ensemble take over. Sorry, Runescape: stagnant chromatic mediant block chords go at the bottom of the list.
Track: Cave Background
Used for some chromatic mediants right at the start before beginning to actually open up into some harmonic phrases that seem like they're going somewhere, but then stops dead in its tracks and lets a completely different ensemble take over. Sorry, Runescape: stagnant chromatic mediant block chords go at the bottom of the list.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Church
This track in Sanitarium is at once comforting and disquieting, warm and cold. It's one of the more nuanced emotions I've heard come out of an organ and greatly uses the sensitive characteristics of the instrument to its benefit in achieving this.
Track: Church
This track in Sanitarium is at once comforting and disquieting, warm and cold. It's one of the more nuanced emotions I've heard come out of an organ and greatly uses the sensitive characteristics of the instrument to its benefit in achieving this.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: At The Great Cathedral
There's some neat ear-catching harmonic shifts, but the plodding introduction featuring the organ which quickly is swept underneath a larger ensemble to continue just laying out some chords doesn't take advantage of what intrigue the piece is close to having. I can tell there's some kind of inspiration here, it's just not a whole lot.
Track: At The Great Cathedral
There's some neat ear-catching harmonic shifts, but the plodding introduction featuring the organ which quickly is swept underneath a larger ensemble to continue just laying out some chords doesn't take advantage of what intrigue the piece is close to having. I can tell there's some kind of inspiration here, it's just not a whole lot.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Jakyou, Fusion
Breathtakingly beautiful swirling counterpoint that restlessly pushes forward, ever-growing, never halting its momentum even for a second. Phenomenal.
Tracks: Jakyou, Fusion
Breathtakingly beautiful swirling counterpoint that restlessly pushes forward, ever-growing, never halting its momentum even for a second. Phenomenal.
Ranking: GOOD
Track: Hotel Gomaden
As always, gorgeous counterpoint being displayed in a Shin Megami Tensei game. Something about this feels a little more dry and academic compared to other Shin Megami Tensei titles, it doesn't tug at the heart as much as the others, but it's still beautiful and impeccably structured.
Track: Hotel Gomaden
As always, gorgeous counterpoint being displayed in a Shin Megami Tensei game. Something about this feels a little more dry and academic compared to other Shin Megami Tensei titles, it doesn't tug at the heart as much as the others, but it's still beautiful and impeccably structured.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: Jakyou no Yakata, Devils Fusion, Terminal Point
Rich, powerful, profound counterpoint as expected of a Jakyou track in a Shin Megami Tensei game. The other two tracks unfortunately, while carrying an appropriate gravitas, are just a little on the grating side. Something about the tone of the organ and the pitches being sustained for so long just doesn't sit perfectly well.
Tracks: Jakyou no Yakata, Devils Fusion, Terminal Point
Rich, powerful, profound counterpoint as expected of a Jakyou track in a Shin Megami Tensei game. The other two tracks unfortunately, while carrying an appropriate gravitas, are just a little on the grating side. Something about the tone of the organ and the pitches being sustained for so long just doesn't sit perfectly well.
Rating: GREAT
Track: Mansion of Heresy, Mesia Cathedral
Absolutely astounding, breathtakingly beautiful, completely consummate. Shin Megami Tensei impresses again, and far from the last time. Unmistakably, unbelievably, unspeakably incredible. It's unfair to other games just how constantly these games use the pipe organ so immaculately...!!!
Track: Mansion of Heresy, Mesia Cathedral
Absolutely astounding, breathtakingly beautiful, completely consummate. Shin Megami Tensei impresses again, and far from the last time. Unmistakably, unbelievably, unspeakably incredible. It's unfair to other games just how constantly these games use the pipe organ so immaculately...!!!
Rating: GOOD
Track: Is it Love? A
Gentle yet oppressive, smooth yet unrelenting; a fascinating expression for the organ. Not a particularly engaging piece musically, but the feeling of it is remarkable.
Track: Is it Love? A
Gentle yet oppressive, smooth yet unrelenting; a fascinating expression for the organ. Not a particularly engaging piece musically, but the feeling of it is remarkable.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Cockatrice, Death Crawler, Castle of the Emperor, Astaroth
Astaroth is alright.
...
...
IDK! There isn't really anything going on at all here. It's maybe the most bog-standard implementation of a pipe organ in a Halloween-flavored game out there. Astaroth is alright.
Tracks: Cockatrice, Death Crawler, Castle of the Emperor, Astaroth
Astaroth is alright.
...
...
IDK! There isn't really anything going on at all here. It's maybe the most bog-standard implementation of a pipe organ in a Halloween-flavored game out there. Astaroth is alright.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: New Creator
(The Sharp X1 version of Hydlide 3 is not on Backloggd, so instead I need to use the Genesis port; this track is obviously a pipe organ on the Sharp X1 release, but the instrumentation is more vague on the Genesis.)
The organ is only used for a brief introduction, but it is a wonderful introduction. Nothing groundbreaking, but it certainly is pretty!
Track: New Creator
(The Sharp X1 version of Hydlide 3 is not on Backloggd, so instead I need to use the Genesis port; this track is obviously a pipe organ on the Sharp X1 release, but the instrumentation is more vague on the Genesis.)
The organ is only used for a brief introduction, but it is a wonderful introduction. Nothing groundbreaking, but it certainly is pretty!
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Will and Reason, The Empyrean's Throne, Kanonushi the Fifth Empyrean
The pipe organ in this is alright! Will and Reason is fine. The other tracks are pretty lacking, but there's enough going on in Will and Reason to keep it from ranking too poorly, but also not nearly enough to save the Tales series' quickly diminishing reputation on this list.
Tracks: Will and Reason, The Empyrean's Throne, Kanonushi the Fifth Empyrean
The pipe organ in this is alright! Will and Reason is fine. The other tracks are pretty lacking, but there's enough going on in Will and Reason to keep it from ranking too poorly, but also not nearly enough to save the Tales series' quickly diminishing reputation on this list.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Sacred Capital, Elraine, Ancient Relics, Invitation to the Sea, A Resolution, Holy Place, Fortuna Shrine, Eternal Paradise, Utopia, Sacred Judgement, Zealot, Crooked Sight, Dona Nobis
Pacem, Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune ~ Last Judgement
This game was originally going to be a lot lower on this list, but then I came across Fortuna Shrine. Good lord. This is what it's all about, people. This soundtrack uses the pipe organ a lot, even in places I didn't expect it to be; it obviously has a deep love for the instrument, but Fortuna Shrine is the track where that love shines through the most sparklingly. This is a thick, babbling soup of some of the largest, most expressively emotional chords you can find in game music. The rest of the organ tracks don't especially impress too much, but the fullness of this organ's tone and the voicings of the chords manage to match and maintain the precedent Fortuna Shrine has laid throughout the soundtrack.
Tracks: Sacred Capital, Elraine, Ancient Relics, Invitation to the Sea, A Resolution, Holy Place, Fortuna Shrine, Eternal Paradise, Utopia, Sacred Judgement, Zealot, Crooked Sight, Dona Nobis
Pacem, Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune ~ Last Judgement
This game was originally going to be a lot lower on this list, but then I came across Fortuna Shrine. Good lord. This is what it's all about, people. This soundtrack uses the pipe organ a lot, even in places I didn't expect it to be; it obviously has a deep love for the instrument, but Fortuna Shrine is the track where that love shines through the most sparklingly. This is a thick, babbling soup of some of the largest, most expressively emotional chords you can find in game music. The rest of the organ tracks don't especially impress too much, but the fullness of this organ's tone and the voicings of the chords manage to match and maintain the precedent Fortuna Shrine has laid throughout the soundtrack.
Rating: BORING
Tracks: The Corroder, Pour In the Debris
Tales.................
Tracks: The Corroder, Pour In the Debris
Tales.................
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Valleia Crystal Knights, Spirmaze Anger, Scarlet Haired Devil, Overflowing Nightmares, Glory of the Imperial Army, Creed Graphite
Still a far cry from the astronomical reputation of the first couple Tales games' pipe organs, but at least we're not as deep in the dregs as the games immediately previous to this. Overflowing Nightmares and Spirmaze Anger have some nice parts where the organ gets to show off a little, and they're fine enough displays. I do wonder how much credit I'm giving this just based on the fact I'm coming right off the heels of Tales of Innocence and Tales of Vesperia... Though just by the sheer amount of tracks using the pipe organ here compared to those, is it possible the Tales series truly is redeeming itself?
Tracks: Valleia Crystal Knights, Spirmaze Anger, Scarlet Haired Devil, Overflowing Nightmares, Glory of the Imperial Army, Creed Graphite
Still a far cry from the astronomical reputation of the first couple Tales games' pipe organs, but at least we're not as deep in the dregs as the games immediately previous to this. Overflowing Nightmares and Spirmaze Anger have some nice parts where the organ gets to show off a little, and they're fine enough displays. I do wonder how much credit I'm giving this just based on the fact I'm coming right off the heels of Tales of Innocence and Tales of Vesperia... Though just by the sheer amount of tracks using the pipe organ here compared to those, is it possible the Tales series truly is redeeming itself?
Rating: BORING
Track: Sky Fantasia
Tales franchise...... Please, I'm begging you...... Let your pipe organs be good again........ Please........ I'm dying........
Track: Sky Fantasia
Tales franchise...... Please, I'm begging you...... Let your pipe organs be good again........ Please........ I'm dying........
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Scutum - Cruel, Scutum - Fang, Scutum - Intertwine, Scutum - Decisive Battle
I'm not totally convinced this Scutum theme is great enough to be re-arranged so constantly throughout the soundtrack, and it certainly isn't worth keeping the game's only instances of pipe organ confined to it. The Decisive Battle iteration at least juices it up to any kind of satisfying degree, but it still isn't anything too impactful, especially compared to the Tales series' history with the instrument.
Track: Scutum - Cruel, Scutum - Fang, Scutum - Intertwine, Scutum - Decisive Battle
I'm not totally convinced this Scutum theme is great enough to be re-arranged so constantly throughout the soundtrack, and it certainly isn't worth keeping the game's only instances of pipe organ confined to it. The Decisive Battle iteration at least juices it up to any kind of satisfying degree, but it still isn't anything too impactful, especially compared to the Tales series' history with the instrument.
Rating: BORING
Tracks: Trends of the World, Nightmare Reflected in the Mirror, A Tragic Decision
Not enough to save the Tales series' rapidly declining reputation on this list. Its use in Nightmare is cliche, in Tragic Decision it's aimless and unjustified... Can nothing revive the pipe organ's spirit in these soundtracks?
Tracks: Trends of the World, Nightmare Reflected in the Mirror, A Tragic Decision
Not enough to save the Tales series' rapidly declining reputation on this list. Its use in Nightmare is cliche, in Tragic Decision it's aimless and unjustified... Can nothing revive the pipe organ's spirit in these soundtracks?
Rating: BORING
Track: Rising Up
It's cool that the organ was used in a vocal track..... but...... the pulse of pipe organs in Tales soundtracks has officially stopped. We've flatlined. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to save you, Pipe Organs In Tales Of Soundtracks. 20 years of a constant downward descent, only to end up here, crumpled and cold on the floor. How did it end up like this? Why did it end up like this? You did so much good and still had so much potential left... I'll miss you, Tales Pipe Organs. I'll miss you so dearly - and I'll remember you by what you were, not what you became. Please rest as however well as you're capable of in such a state.
Track: Rising Up
It's cool that the organ was used in a vocal track..... but...... the pulse of pipe organs in Tales soundtracks has officially stopped. We've flatlined. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to save you, Pipe Organs In Tales Of Soundtracks. 20 years of a constant downward descent, only to end up here, crumpled and cold on the floor. How did it end up like this? Why did it end up like this? You did so much good and still had so much potential left... I'll miss you, Tales Pipe Organs. I'll miss you so dearly - and I'll remember you by what you were, not what you became. Please rest as however well as you're capable of in such a state.
Rating: GOOD
Track: The Dark Church
A quiet, tranquil little ostinato figure shimmering around some soft synth pulses. Not much to say, it's just some pretty playing.
Track: The Dark Church
A quiet, tranquil little ostinato figure shimmering around some soft synth pulses. Not much to say, it's just some pretty playing.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Crossbell Cathedral
Perfectly pleasant and authentic church music. Smooth, gentle selection of stops, delicately balanced part writing, if you told me this was actually a piece of Bach music I'd have no reason not to believe you (though only because for as great as Bach is, a lot of his music in major keys can be exceptionally simple, bordering on boring - this track is more like those than the Bach pieces that really impress me).
Track: Crossbell Cathedral
Perfectly pleasant and authentic church music. Smooth, gentle selection of stops, delicately balanced part writing, if you told me this was actually a piece of Bach music I'd have no reason not to believe you (though only because for as great as Bach is, a lot of his music in major keys can be exceptionally simple, bordering on boring - this track is more like those than the Bach pieces that really impress me).
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Time Is Warped in This Crumbling Frozen Old Castle, Death Curse, Boss Battle Ends, Entering Dark Astaroth Area, Dark Astaroth
There's some nice moments here, particularly with Entering Dark Astaroth Area, but for the most part this is all playing pretty strictly by the book. Not as egregiously bland as other games that play their pipe organs so safe, but there is a distinct lack of any particular character here.
Tracks: Time Is Warped in This Crumbling Frozen Old Castle, Death Curse, Boss Battle Ends, Entering Dark Astaroth Area, Dark Astaroth
There's some nice moments here, particularly with Entering Dark Astaroth Area, but for the most part this is all playing pretty strictly by the book. Not as egregiously bland as other games that play their pipe organs so safe, but there is a distinct lack of any particular character here.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Rise Above the World
The chords are pretty neat, but it just isn't really doing anything with them. A confusing choice to exclusively use the organ only in this single track when other pieces in the soundtrack imply the existence of one without utilizing it.
Track: Rise Above the World
The chords are pretty neat, but it just isn't really doing anything with them. A confusing choice to exclusively use the organ only in this single track when other pieces in the soundtrack imply the existence of one without utilizing it.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Feast of the Damned, Demitri Victory, Victor von Gerdenheim Victory
For a horror-themed fighting game, I'm surprised it took until the third entry to use a pipe organ. And then the just kinda don't do much with it... The typical Baroque-styled melismatic runs you'd expect are here, the heavy minor chords are here, it's exactly what a game like this calls for and nothing else. Many other games have found significantly more interesting ways of blending Baroque music with other styles.
Tracks: Feast of the Damned, Demitri Victory, Victor von Gerdenheim Victory
For a horror-themed fighting game, I'm surprised it took until the third entry to use a pipe organ. And then the just kinda don't do much with it... The typical Baroque-styled melismatic runs you'd expect are here, the heavy minor chords are here, it's exactly what a game like this calls for and nothing else. Many other games have found significantly more interesting ways of blending Baroque music with other styles.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Introduction
A premonition of great things to come when the first thing you hear upon booting a game up is a massive chord on a pipe organ! An even greater premonition when it develops into an absolutely show-stopping cantata with choir and string orchestra, with the pipe organ taking a commanding lead. Unfortunately, that premonition wound up being a lie - the pipe organ is absent for the entire rest of the soundtrack. However, this can be forgiven by just how powerful its presence is here right at the start. If only the actual game was as good as this...
Track: Introduction
A premonition of great things to come when the first thing you hear upon booting a game up is a massive chord on a pipe organ! An even greater premonition when it develops into an absolutely show-stopping cantata with choir and string orchestra, with the pipe organ taking a commanding lead. Unfortunately, that premonition wound up being a lie - the pipe organ is absent for the entire rest of the soundtrack. However, this can be forgiven by just how powerful its presence is here right at the start. If only the actual game was as good as this...
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Waycrest Manor
The opening is hilariously Phantom of the Opera-esque, and the rest is kind of plodding and aimless, full of those classic chromatic mediants that make people say things like "it sounds like a movie, dude." It eventually gets phased out entirely with an orchestra taking its place, and you know how I feel about that!
Track: Waycrest Manor
The opening is hilariously Phantom of the Opera-esque, and the rest is kind of plodding and aimless, full of those classic chromatic mediants that make people say things like "it sounds like a movie, dude." It eventually gets phased out entirely with an orchestra taking its place, and you know how I feel about that!
Rating: GOOD
Track: Karazhan (Opera House - Organ)
Wow! This one's really interesting. I'm not sure what its context is in the game, but it's obviously calling on some theatrical/carnival performance traditions, and pushing it really far into some bizarre harmonic and timbral places. Cool use of the instrument, if not something I'd necessarily go out of my way to listen to all the time.
Track: Karazhan (Opera House - Organ)
Wow! This one's really interesting. I'm not sure what its context is in the game, but it's obviously calling on some theatrical/carnival performance traditions, and pushing it really far into some bizarre harmonic and timbral places. Cool use of the instrument, if not something I'd necessarily go out of my way to listen to all the time.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Alcamoth (Day)
There's some great chords here, and the tone of the organ is gorgeous, but the instrument is only around for just a little bit towards the beginning, and it's noodling around pretty aimlessly. The heart of a good organ part is here, but it would be a lot better if it had more of a specific, defined purpose in the piece.
Track: Alcamoth (Day)
There's some great chords here, and the tone of the organ is gorgeous, but the instrument is only around for just a little bit towards the beginning, and it's noodling around pretty aimlessly. The heart of a good organ part is here, but it would be a lot better if it had more of a specific, defined purpose in the piece.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Thus Spoke an Alchemist
Gorgeous selection of stops here, but the writing and playing is just a little too dry for me. Not so dry as to call it "academic" but certainly leaning more that way than anything terribly expressive.
Track: Thus Spoke an Alchemist
Gorgeous selection of stops here, but the writing and playing is just a little too dry for me. Not so dry as to call it "academic" but certainly leaning more that way than anything terribly expressive.
Rating: GOOD
Track: Ancient Disputation
@ all you video game composers who want to use a pipe organ just for insanely fast Baroque/rock-fusion licks: this is how to do it right.
Track: Ancient Disputation
@ all you video game composers who want to use a pipe organ just for insanely fast Baroque/rock-fusion licks: this is how to do it right.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Treasure Box, Theme of Kefin II, Crime and Punishment, Wicked Pleasure (Intro)
Once again, the SNES gifts us with one of the absolute best pieces of organ writing in the history of the medium. Crime and Punishment is a powerhouse of a track, constantly weaving between themes, tones, and emotions to build a sprawling tapestry of pure artistry and raw passion. The organ's role is less significant in the other tracks, but it's always beautifully incorporated, and Crime and Punishment more than makes up for those other less-substantial outings.
Tracks: Treasure Box, Theme of Kefin II, Crime and Punishment, Wicked Pleasure (Intro)
Once again, the SNES gifts us with one of the absolute best pieces of organ writing in the history of the medium. Crime and Punishment is a powerhouse of a track, constantly weaving between themes, tones, and emotions to build a sprawling tapestry of pure artistry and raw passion. The organ's role is less significant in the other tracks, but it's always beautifully incorporated, and Crime and Punishment more than makes up for those other less-substantial outings.
Rating:
Track: Octum's Desire
A gorgeous chorale that bookends an otherwise pretty uninteresting orchestra piece. Thank goodness the parts with the pipe organ are so beautiful!!
Track: Octum's Desire
A gorgeous chorale that bookends an otherwise pretty uninteresting orchestra piece. Thank goodness the parts with the pipe organ are so beautiful!!
Rating: GREAT
Track: Virgo
Virgo is the only track in Ace Combat 3's soundtrack that uses a pipe organ, but it's used in the single most unique way I've found in a score yet. The organ itself isn't playing anything particularly incredible, but the way it's spliced and remixed re-contextualizes the sound of an organ to be something completely new. Being so big, organs ring out in the space of the room they're in, so splicing between samples also means cutting between different points of reverberation in the room. That physical continuity of the space (or lack thereof), matched with some twisting harmonic sequences crafted by jigsaw-puzzle-shuffling-around different points of the recording, results in a fascinatingly disorienting track that only manages to remain so meticulously cohesive thanks to an astoundingly delicate hand of an obviously experienced artist. One of the most innovative sounds I've heard not just from a pipe organ, but from a video game in general.
Track: Virgo
Virgo is the only track in Ace Combat 3's soundtrack that uses a pipe organ, but it's used in the single most unique way I've found in a score yet. The organ itself isn't playing anything particularly incredible, but the way it's spliced and remixed re-contextualizes the sound of an organ to be something completely new. Being so big, organs ring out in the space of the room they're in, so splicing between samples also means cutting between different points of reverberation in the room. That physical continuity of the space (or lack thereof), matched with some twisting harmonic sequences crafted by jigsaw-puzzle-shuffling-around different points of the recording, results in a fascinatingly disorienting track that only manages to remain so meticulously cohesive thanks to an astoundingly delicate hand of an obviously experienced artist. One of the most innovative sounds I've heard not just from a pipe organ, but from a video game in general.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Magician's Tent, Shrine for the Worship of Chaos, Darwin - Treasure Hunter, Birth of a Hero
There's some organs here that are on the verge of sounding like electric organs, but due to the tone of the game and their place in the soundtrack I think they're all supposed to be pipe. Anyways, this ranking is hard carried by Magician's Tent and Birth of a Hero. Magician's Tent provides a cute little madrigal (not particularly great - just "cute") and Birth of a Hero boasts some neat twisting chordal relationships. Neither on their own would mean all too much - to say nothing of the other two tracks, where the organ is simply accompaniment - but as a total package, the pipe organ could do much worse than what Arcana offers. Not bad!
Tracks: Magician's Tent, Shrine for the Worship of Chaos, Darwin - Treasure Hunter, Birth of a Hero
There's some organs here that are on the verge of sounding like electric organs, but due to the tone of the game and their place in the soundtrack I think they're all supposed to be pipe. Anyways, this ranking is hard carried by Magician's Tent and Birth of a Hero. Magician's Tent provides a cute little madrigal (not particularly great - just "cute") and Birth of a Hero boasts some neat twisting chordal relationships. Neither on their own would mean all too much - to say nothing of the other two tracks, where the organ is simply accompaniment - but as a total package, the pipe organ could do much worse than what Arcana offers. Not bad!
Rating: BAD
Track: Enshrinement
Standard organ block chords underscoring a choir. The choir is incredible, but the organ is hardly doing anything at all and offers very little to the piece. In fact, the parts without the organ tend to be the parts I like more...
Track: Enshrinement
Standard organ block chords underscoring a choir. The choir is incredible, but the organ is hardly doing anything at all and offers very little to the piece. In fact, the parts without the organ tend to be the parts I like more...
Rating: BORING
Track: In Labors & Dangers ~Fortitudo~
Once again, the organ is being used exclusively to accompany other things. This is one of the more boring instances of it though; it's basically only ever doing straight block chords, and when it does get more intricate it's simply doubling another more prevalent part.
Track: In Labors & Dangers ~Fortitudo~
Once again, the organ is being used exclusively to accompany other things. This is one of the more boring instances of it though; it's basically only ever doing straight block chords, and when it does get more intricate it's simply doubling another more prevalent part.
Rating: BORING
Track: Temperantia - In Foregoing Pleasures
Similar to Bayonetta 1, the organ here just is not doing anything to really justify its presence. Doubling other orchestra parts with some arpeggiated ostinatos every now and then isn't enough.
Track: Temperantia - In Foregoing Pleasures
Similar to Bayonetta 1, the organ here just is not doing anything to really justify its presence. Doubling other orchestra parts with some arpeggiated ostinatos every now and then isn't enough.
Rating: BORING
Track: Laurence, the First Vicar
That cello solo is gorgeous! I wish this was a ranking of cello music. Instead I need to talk about the totally flat, lifeless organ part in this. Such a shame that I'm not a cellist instead.
Track: Laurence, the First Vicar
That cello solo is gorgeous! I wish this was a ranking of cello music. Instead I need to talk about the totally flat, lifeless organ part in this. Such a shame that I'm not a cellist instead.
Rating: GOOD
Tracks: Watchtower, Mysterious Coffin, First Struggle, Underground Waterway, Malus Reappears, Toothed Wheel, Third Struggle - Dance of Illusions, Melodies of Castlevania
Further down on this list I'll be complaining a lot about the pipe organ being used purely for accompaniment purposes - I need to express that those are examples of the pipe organ being used as an accompaniment instrument poorly. This is how to do it right. It's rare for the organ to have any solo segments for it to show off here (though they're great moments the few times it does happen) so most of the time it's simply a part of the larger ensemble. Though even when it's relocated to just these background textures, it still finds ways to poke through and add something to the conversation. Sometimes it's a strangely produced tone, sometimes it's rhythmically slamming down on chords to provide an extra layer of forward driving momentum, or sometimes it really is simply sitting square on some block chords - which still finds a way to be interesting just by the virtue of how the rest of the ensemble dances around the organ being so firmly planted in the ground. Oftentimes the pipe organ being in situations like this winds up feeling bland and inconsequential, but here it always plays a vital role and helps add to a sound that winds up being more than the sum of its parts. Some of the later entries in this list might make it seem like I despise the pipe organ being stuck as a supporting role - this is not true. It simply needs to be treated with the same consideration and respect in that role like any other instrument would be shown, as it is here in Castlevania 64.
Tracks: Watchtower, Mysterious Coffin, First Struggle, Underground Waterway, Malus Reappears, Toothed Wheel, Third Struggle - Dance of Illusions, Melodies of Castlevania
Further down on this list I'll be complaining a lot about the pipe organ being used purely for accompaniment purposes - I need to express that those are examples of the pipe organ being used as an accompaniment instrument poorly. This is how to do it right. It's rare for the organ to have any solo segments for it to show off here (though they're great moments the few times it does happen) so most of the time it's simply a part of the larger ensemble. Though even when it's relocated to just these background textures, it still finds ways to poke through and add something to the conversation. Sometimes it's a strangely produced tone, sometimes it's rhythmically slamming down on chords to provide an extra layer of forward driving momentum, or sometimes it really is simply sitting square on some block chords - which still finds a way to be interesting just by the virtue of how the rest of the ensemble dances around the organ being so firmly planted in the ground. Oftentimes the pipe organ being in situations like this winds up feeling bland and inconsequential, but here it always plays a vital role and helps add to a sound that winds up being more than the sum of its parts. Some of the later entries in this list might make it seem like I despise the pipe organ being stuck as a supporting role - this is not true. It simply needs to be treated with the same consideration and respect in that role like any other instrument would be shown, as it is here in Castlevania 64.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Prologue, Moonlight Nocturne, Requiem for the Gods, Finale Toccata
If Final Fantasy VI introduced the pipe organ/prog rock marriage into video game music, Symphony of the Night is the next step in its evolution. I only wish it used the organ as effectively as Final Fantasy VI did; it often winds up being more of a background texture for other instruments to project on top of. There are some novel implementations of the organ here though, especially Requiem for the Gods' lowering the attack on the beginning organ chords so they gradually fade forward in a way that a real organ would not be able to do. When the organ does take center stage it's absolutely masterful; I just wish it did so more often.
Tracks: Prologue, Moonlight Nocturne, Requiem for the Gods, Finale Toccata
If Final Fantasy VI introduced the pipe organ/prog rock marriage into video game music, Symphony of the Night is the next step in its evolution. I only wish it used the organ as effectively as Final Fantasy VI did; it often winds up being more of a background texture for other instruments to project on top of. There are some novel implementations of the organ here though, especially Requiem for the Gods' lowering the attack on the beginning organ chords so they gradually fade forward in a way that a real organ would not be able to do. When the organ does take center stage it's absolutely masterful; I just wish it did so more often.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: なぞの礼拝堂
There's some fun doubling with the guitar to help layer this full aggressive sound, but like so many others on this list, most of the playing here comes down to just sitting on some chords or swirling around some arpeggios. Not especially inspired, but it is one of the finer instances of this overly-trodden pipe organ trope.
Track: なぞの礼拝堂
There's some fun doubling with the guitar to help layer this full aggressive sound, but like so many others on this list, most of the playing here comes down to just sitting on some chords or swirling around some arpeggios. Not especially inspired, but it is one of the finer instances of this overly-trodden pipe organ trope.
Rating: GOOD
Track: The Mausoleum
Quirky little waltz with a gorgeous organ tone and fun, dynamic writing. A unique angle of the organ we don't normally hear - just a good time!
Track: The Mausoleum
Quirky little waltz with a gorgeous organ tone and fun, dynamic writing. A unique angle of the organ we don't normally hear - just a good time!
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Joyous Promenade, Caute Cave Mortem, Baking the Wondertart
Nobody needs me to say just how unbelievable Cuphead's music is. I've called it "one of the single most impressive audio/visual experiences since the turn of the century" and I really truly believe that. We didn't get much organ music in the base game, but the DLC manages to pull it out just a few more times - and thank goodness! What a treat. That Kristofer Maddigan manages to work impeccably with every style he tries. The organ music is just as wonderful and just as authentic as the big band stuff, which is to say, it's damn good.
Tracks: Joyous Promenade, Caute Cave Mortem, Baking the Wondertart
Nobody needs me to say just how unbelievable Cuphead's music is. I've called it "one of the single most impressive audio/visual experiences since the turn of the century" and I really truly believe that. We didn't get much organ music in the base game, but the DLC manages to pull it out just a few more times - and thank goodness! What a treat. That Kristofer Maddigan manages to work impeccably with every style he tries. The organ music is just as wonderful and just as authentic as the big band stuff, which is to say, it's damn good.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Tracks: Battle, Scenario Clear
There's a lot of organs in this soundtrack, but the sound quality makes it pretty tough to tell which ones are electric and which ones are pipe. I think my selections of tracks here is accurate, but it says a lot about the tone and the writing style here that I'm not entirely confident; every organ here is pumping out some rock-flavored stuff no matter where it shows up, which is perfectly fun and suitable for the soundtrack, but it unfortunately foregoes a lot of the nuances of the pipe organ. No textural changes, no intricate part writing, just a bunch of fast licks and riffs. I get the impression that everything here was essentially written just for an electric organ, and was adapted to a pipe organ whenever the composer wanted a "larger" sound - which is not a problem, but it does feel a little shallow, and to some degree under-considered.
Tracks: Battle, Scenario Clear
There's a lot of organs in this soundtrack, but the sound quality makes it pretty tough to tell which ones are electric and which ones are pipe. I think my selections of tracks here is accurate, but it says a lot about the tone and the writing style here that I'm not entirely confident; every organ here is pumping out some rock-flavored stuff no matter where it shows up, which is perfectly fun and suitable for the soundtrack, but it unfortunately foregoes a lot of the nuances of the pipe organ. No textural changes, no intricate part writing, just a bunch of fast licks and riffs. I get the impression that everything here was essentially written just for an electric organ, and was adapted to a pipe organ whenever the composer wanted a "larger" sound - which is not a problem, but it does feel a little shallow, and to some degree under-considered.
Rating: GREAT
Track: Deacons of the Deep
I've regularly said FromSoftware games are doing more to keep classical music traditions alive and relevant than actual classical music establishments and initiatives; tracks like this are what I'm talking about. There's a beautiful darkness that's exclusive to the languishing, dramatic elegance of something like Fauré's masterwork requiem that not many games have the confidence to approach. Dark Souls III not only has that confidence, but also the skill to back it up. This is just actual classical music and I'll eat it up every time.
Track: Deacons of the Deep
I've regularly said FromSoftware games are doing more to keep classical music traditions alive and relevant than actual classical music establishments and initiatives; tracks like this are what I'm talking about. There's a beautiful darkness that's exclusive to the languishing, dramatic elegance of something like Fauré's masterwork requiem that not many games have the confidence to approach. Dark Souls III not only has that confidence, but also the skill to back it up. This is just actual classical music and I'll eat it up every time.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Opening, Legend of Firebrand, Beyond the Colosseum, Over the Demon Realm, Metropolis of Ruin, Catacombs of the Dead, Cursed Towers, Dance of the Snowy Barrens, Palace of Decadence, The Infinite Demon, Memorial of the Fallen Ones
Surprisingly beautiful and sombre tracks that apply the pipe organ exquisitely. Never would have expected a spinoff game focusing on one enemy from Ghouls n' Ghosts to take such a delicate tone, but it's delicious. Some of these tracks like Snowy Barrens could situate perfectly well as proper organ repertoire. Is this the earliest point in video game history I've said this? It's certainly true of other games as the medium matures, but most pipe organ music from the 90's – while being absolutely astounding – have a certain "je ne sais quoi" that still clues it off to clearly belonging to a video game. Someone with an ear for classical music wouldn't be fooled if an organist tried playing that stuff during a recital. I'm going to go ahead and make the claim that Demon's Crest is the first video game with pipe organ tracks which, were they to be performed with real instruments, would sound indistinguishable from authentic classical music. That person with an ear for classical music could feasibly be fooled by several tracks in this game.
Tracks: Opening, Legend of Firebrand, Beyond the Colosseum, Over the Demon Realm, Metropolis of Ruin, Catacombs of the Dead, Cursed Towers, Dance of the Snowy Barrens, Palace of Decadence, The Infinite Demon, Memorial of the Fallen Ones
Surprisingly beautiful and sombre tracks that apply the pipe organ exquisitely. Never would have expected a spinoff game focusing on one enemy from Ghouls n' Ghosts to take such a delicate tone, but it's delicious. Some of these tracks like Snowy Barrens could situate perfectly well as proper organ repertoire. Is this the earliest point in video game history I've said this? It's certainly true of other games as the medium matures, but most pipe organ music from the 90's – while being absolutely astounding – have a certain "je ne sais quoi" that still clues it off to clearly belonging to a video game. Someone with an ear for classical music wouldn't be fooled if an organist tried playing that stuff during a recital. I'm going to go ahead and make the claim that Demon's Crest is the first video game with pipe organ tracks which, were they to be performed with real instruments, would sound indistinguishable from authentic classical music. That person with an ear for classical music could feasibly be fooled by several tracks in this game.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Theme of Sparda, Cathedral, Magic Sword Sparda Acquired, Hell's Great Temple, Awakening, Collapse of the Demon Emperor Mundus, Demon Emperor Mundus Again, Demon Emperor Mundus Battle 3 Underground
Simply looking at that track list should be a pretty good indication of how well the organ is being treated here. The writing is good and it is frequent; someone rented out a cathedral and wanted to get the most bang for their buck, and now we're the ones benefiting from it.
Tracks: Theme of Sparda, Cathedral, Magic Sword Sparda Acquired, Hell's Great Temple, Awakening, Collapse of the Demon Emperor Mundus, Demon Emperor Mundus Again, Demon Emperor Mundus Battle 3 Underground
Simply looking at that track list should be a pretty good indication of how well the organ is being treated here. The writing is good and it is frequent; someone rented out a cathedral and wanted to get the most bang for their buck, and now we're the ones benefiting from it.
Rating: NEUTRAL
Track: Demon World
As tends to be the case, the organ in this track is mostly used just to accompany something else; in this case a choir. It gets a few bars to sing on its own, and it's a great few bars, but overall the organ writing here is simply serviceable and doesn't especially utilize anything about the organ that makes it unique. It doesn't do anything wrong, but it's not like it does anything especially great either.
Track: Demon World
As tends to be the case, the organ in this track is mostly used just to accompany something else; in this case a choir. It gets a few bars to sing on its own, and it's a great few bars, but overall the organ writing here is simply serviceable and doesn't especially utilize anything about the organ that makes it unique. It doesn't do anything wrong, but it's not like it does anything especially great either.
Rating: BAD
Track: Creepy Castle
The scary area has a pipe organ. How inspired! It rolls over on a small selection of chords then leaves the rest of the track to everyone else. I can't even pretend like there's any insight to be gleamed here. Trite and completely unoriginal.
Track: Creepy Castle
The scary area has a pipe organ. How inspired! It rolls over on a small selection of chords then leaves the rest of the track to everyone else. I can't even pretend like there's any insight to be gleamed here. Trite and completely unoriginal.
Rating: BAD
Track: Saint's Prayer
DRAGON'S QUEEEESSSSSTTTTT!!!!!!!!!
Track: Saint's Prayer
DRAGON'S QUEEEESSSSSTTTTT!!!!!!!!!
Rating: BORING
Tracks: Church Treatment, Pray at the Church
The classic Dragon Quest jingles are now on the Nintendo DS! Does that change anything? Not really!
Tracks: Church Treatment, Pray at the Church
The classic Dragon Quest jingles are now on the Nintendo DS! Does that change anything? Not really!
Rating: BAD
Tracks: Prayer, Imperial Scrolls of Honor
These Dragon Quest jingles are finally being played by a discernible facsimile of some kind of sound resembling a real pipe organ, but it's still not enough to save them from being so dull.
Tracks: Prayer, Imperial Scrolls of Honor
These Dragon Quest jingles are finally being played by a discernible facsimile of some kind of sound resembling a real pipe organ, but it's still not enough to save them from being so dull.
Rating: BAD
Track: Nightmare Battle
The rest of this soundtrack is incredibly unique and sparkling with unusual applications of unusual instruments. So why is the single use of a pipe organ so typical and trite??
Track: Nightmare Battle
The rest of this soundtrack is incredibly unique and sparkling with unusual applications of unusual instruments. So why is the single use of a pipe organ so typical and trite??
Ranking: NEUTRAL
Tracks: 竜の巣からの話, クリスタル・キャッスル, 避け得ぬ戦い, ファイナルボス
Before saying anything, I want to make it clear this entry is based on the PC Engine release of this game; other releases may vary on their inclusion of the pipe organ.
I gotta say, it hurts to keep Emerald Dragon so low. This is an absolutely otherworldly soundtrack, truly and completely phenomenal, but it's another one where it designates the pipe organ to be an arpeggio machine and not much else. Of course, they're great chords to be arpeggiating, thus the higher ranking compared to other subpar organ uses, but in the end it's just not interested in using the instrument too comprehensively at all.
Tracks: 竜の巣からの話, クリスタル・キャッスル, 避け得ぬ戦い, ファイナルボス
Before saying anything, I want to make it clear this entry is based on the PC Engine release of this game; other releases may vary on their inclusion of the pipe organ.
I gotta say, it hurts to keep Emerald Dragon so low. This is an absolutely otherworldly soundtrack, truly and completely phenomenal, but it's another one where it designates the pipe organ to be an arpeggio machine and not much else. Of course, they're great chords to be arpeggiating, thus the higher ranking compared to other subpar organ uses, but in the end it's just not interested in using the instrument too comprehensively at all.
Rating: GREAT
Track: The Sanctum
Emancipate the dissonance, baby. Where so much of this list is swallowed up by Baroque- and Romantic-flavored music, this is something a lot more modern. It's not like we're on the verge of Ligeti here, but this certainly is along the lines of the kind of stuff contemporary organists would be playing in our current post-Dupré world. Uematsu's got his pulse on a lot more music scenes than he lets on, it seems!! That, or contemporary organ music has a lot more in common with other contemporary music genres than we (I) give it credit for, which is also strikingly likely. Either way, this rules. Thank you.
Track: The Sanctum
Emancipate the dissonance, baby. Where so much of this list is swallowed up by Baroque- and Romantic-flavored music, this is something a lot more modern. It's not like we're on the verge of Ligeti here, but this certainly is along the lines of the kind of stuff contemporary organists would be playing in our current post-Dupré world. Uematsu's got his pulse on a lot more music scenes than he lets on, it seems!! That, or contemporary organ music has a lot more in common with other contemporary music genres than we (I) give it credit for, which is also strikingly likely. Either way, this rules. Thank you.
Rating: GREAT
Track: Marriage & Cohesion
Similar to Xenogears, this is just such a beautifully heartfelt work. It doesn't need to be anything flashy; being honest means so much more.
Track: Marriage & Cohesion
Similar to Xenogears, this is just such a beautifully heartfelt work. It doesn't need to be anything flashy; being honest means so much more.
Rating: GREAT
Tracks: Sacred Space, Separation With God
I think it's up for interpretation whether or not Sacred Space is an organ piece (I could also see it being a string ensemble), but Separation With God is absolutely a pipe organ and it's downright incredible. Lovingly, hauntingly, atrociously emotional work that continues to unfold and reveal more of itself as it keeps pushing forward.
Tracks: Sacred Space, Separation With God
I think it's up for interpretation whether or not Sacred Space is an organ piece (I could also see it being a string ensemble), but Separation With God is absolutely a pipe organ and it's downright incredible. Lovingly, hauntingly, atrociously emotional work that continues to unfold and reveal more of itself as it keeps pushing forward.
Rating: GREAT
Track: Ragnarok
Positively chilling. Much of the work is being carried by the choir, but the organ's got a towering presence here that shades the entire piece in this cloak of austerity. This is another instance of an organ in a video game that feels more like authentic performance repertoire than video game music (well, more like choir repertoire than organ repertoire, but one tends to beget the other). Marvelous.
Track: Ragnarok
Positively chilling. Much of the work is being carried by the choir, but the organ's got a towering presence here that shades the entire piece in this cloak of austerity. This is another instance of an organ in a video game that feels more like authentic performance repertoire than video game music (well, more like choir repertoire than organ repertoire, but one tends to beget the other). Marvelous.
Rating: GOOD
Track: A Messenger
Another piece where the organ doesn't have much going on, but I sure am a sucker for big, thick chords. The writing here isn't anything particularly special, but there are some attention-grabbing harmonic shifts that utilize the darkness and the fullness of the sound well. Ultimately, the only real reason the organ is here is because the piece needs to sound vaguely spiritual; otherwise it could be replaced handily with just about any other sustaining instrument. Far from the worst but far from the best.
Track: A Messenger
Another piece where the organ doesn't have much going on, but I sure am a sucker for big, thick chords. The writing here isn't anything particularly special, but there are some attention-grabbing harmonic shifts that utilize the darkness and the fullness of the sound well. Ultimately, the only real reason the organ is here is because the piece needs to sound vaguely spiritual; otherwise it could be replaced handily with just about any other sustaining instrument. Far from the worst but far from the best.
Rating: GREAT
Track: Thee Houses Main Theme, The Crest of Flames, Arcana Code, Life at Garreg Mach Monastary, Scales of the Goddess, Garreg Mach Cathedral, The Archbishop, At What Cost?
A lot of the pipe organ's use here is to invoke this ancient, sacred sound of the past. And well, they do it in a really boring way!! The writing is flat and lifeless - which yes, that kind of stasis is exactly the kind of emotion this context calls for - but it makes for horribly dull organ writing. Fortunately, that's not all this soundtrack has to offer; whenever the organ is used outside of these situations (save for the splash of unconvincing half-committed pop flavor of Life at Garreg Mach Monastary), there's a switch that gets flipped which decides if it's going to be Poulenc/Duruflé-flavored impressionism or Franck/d'Indy-flavored Romanticism, showcased excellently in Garreg Mach Cathedral which tends to flip between them throughout the piece. The careful, considerate, conscious bridging between these two styles is the organ's stand-out moment in the soundtrack and basically the sole reason this game ranks so highly. I get the feeling this composer is just kind of showing off their vocabulary of repertoire here - but unlike most showcases of talent for the sake of itself, this one is actually grounded in some kind of genuine artistry. There's a reverence for the history of the organ and it's being applied to create something new and beautiful.
Track: Thee Houses Main Theme, The Crest of Flames, Arcana Code, Life at Garreg Mach Monastary, Scales of the Goddess, Garreg Mach Cathedral, The Archbishop, At What Cost?
A lot of the pipe organ's use here is to invoke this ancient, sacred sound of the past. And well, they do it in a really boring way!! The writing is flat and lifeless - which yes, that kind of stasis is exactly the kind of emotion this context calls for - but it makes for horribly dull organ writing. Fortunately, that's not all this soundtrack has to offer; whenever the organ is used outside of these situations (save for the splash of unconvincing half-committed pop flavor of Life at Garreg Mach Monastary), there's a switch that gets flipped which decides if it's going to be Poulenc/Duruflé-flavored impressionism or Franck/d'Indy-flavored Romanticism, showcased excellently in Garreg Mach Cathedral which tends to flip between them throughout the piece. The careful, considerate, conscious bridging between these two styles is the organ's stand-out moment in the soundtrack and basically the sole reason this game ranks so highly. I get the feeling this composer is just kind of showing off their vocabulary of repertoire here - but unlike most showcases of talent for the sake of itself, this one is actually grounded in some kind of genuine artistry. There's a reverence for the history of the organ and it's being applied to create something new and beautiful.
Rating: GOOD
Track: The Last Battle
As far as SNES organs are concerned, this one is pretty weak. The tone is limp and the writing is straight and utilitarian - not bad writing by any definition, but compared to its contemporaries in Final Fantasy VI and Live A Live, it can't even find a candle to try and hold in the first place. We do at least get some fun interplay between the organ and the rest of the orchestra here - usually these pieces are written in a way where the organ winds up being separate from the rest of the ensemble. It feels like it really belongs in the space here and is engaging with the material in some kind of meaningful way.
Track: The Last Battle
As far as SNES organs are concerned, this one is pretty weak. The tone is limp and the writing is straight and utilitarian - not bad writing by any definition, but compared to its contemporaries in Final Fantasy VI and Live A Live, it can't even find a candle to try and hold in the first place. We do at least get some fun interplay between the organ and the rest of the orchestra here - usually these pieces are written in a way where the organ winds up being separate from the rest of the ensemble. It feels like it really belongs in the space here and is engaging with the material in some kind of meaningful way.
9 Comments
8/26/2022 - just hit 150 entries....... PIPE ORGAN LIST WILL NEVER DIE!!!
1/11/2023 - 200 entries and going strong. PIPE ORGAN LIST WILL NEVER DIE!!!
As a fledgling composer, fucking incredible list and the best list I've seen on this website so far. Following for this alone so I don't lose this list.
this list fucking rules. LOVE your notes. amazing
@DIOXYRIBOSE thank you so much
This is it. The greatest list on all of Backloggd.
Funbil
1 year ago