Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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A 30-minute extended version of TandA's orchestral cover of Taopo Swamp from Golden Sun, originally composed by Motoi Sakuraba.
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The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using sample libraries from EastWest, Vienna Symphonic, Musio and Addictive Drummer 2.
★Game: Golden Sun: The Lost Age
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Cubase 10, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Vienna Symphonic Library, Musio, Addictive Drummer 2
★Tags: Golden, Sun, Golden Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Orchestra, Orchestral, Orchestration, Arrangement, Remix, Cover
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#TaopoSwamp
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ mymusicsheet.com/TandA/340770
💗 MIDI / XML / Sibelius ➤ bit.ly/TandABundle
🎹 Commissions ➤ jshaw.co.uk/commissions
🎮 More Arrangements ➤ jshaw.co.uk/TandA
👍 Facebook ➤ bit.ly/TandAFacebook
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🎵 Bandcamp ➤ bit.ly/TandABandcamp
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🎵 YouTube Music ➤ bit.ly/TandAYouTube
🎵 Apple Music / iTunes ➤ bit.ly/TandAApple
A 30-minute extended version of TandA's orchestral cover of Taopo Swamp from Golden Sun, originally composed by Motoi Sakuraba.
--------------------
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using sample libraries from EastWest, Vienna Symphonic, Musio and Addictive Drummer 2.
★Game: Golden Sun: The Lost Age
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Cubase 10, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Vienna Symphonic Library, Musio, Addictive Drummer 2
★Tags: Golden, Sun, Golden Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Orchestra, Orchestral, Orchestration, Arrangement, Remix, Cover
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#TaopoSwamp
![Festival in Izumo | Orchestral Cover
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ [Removed by Nintendo JP]
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From Golden Sun, we have slain the Serpent, rescued Susa & Kushinada, and now we can celebrate with a glorious festival, now with an orchestra to cover us.
➤ Analysis:
In short, Izumo is a representation of ancient Japanese culture. Through its pentatonic melodies, architecture, and even the shape of the island itself, all of these point towards Japan.
Therefore, Japanese elements were of the utmost importance for this arrangement. The original track was remarkably sparse ( https://youtu.be/uaY9t-uwRRg ), only consisting of a percussive ostinato and single melodic instrument, with near total absence of harmony. As such, there was far more room for expansion than I would usually have when tackling these arrangements.
Since this percussive ostinato is a crucial characteristic of the track, the arrangement begins with this ostinato on its own (0:02). When our melodic instrument arrives (0:10), I matched it closely to Sakurabas track by placing it in the Piccolo Oboe (Piccoloboe) - the rare highest of oboe instruments - which can be taken by the flute if not available due to its scarcity. These two elements (percussion and oboe) continue for some time, almost identically to Sakurabas original outside of additional harp flourishes.
Development commences at the conclusion of the first phrase (0:26) where more Japanese elements begin to enter, including a 17-stringed koto and string pizzicatos in 4ths/5ths, complementing pentatonicism (using only 5 notes). Here, harmony is also added for the first time, outlining an E pentatonic modality (E-G-A-B-D) with some added notes for some extra spice (C♯; 0:35; suggesting E Dorian).
Harmonically, we climb through E-G-A-Am-Bm, all remaining relatively close to the pentatonic center (E-G-A-B-D). The C♯ - C♮ progression strays from true pentatonicism, but I felt that it contributed far more excitement to the harmony than had I remained strict to pentatonicism. Towards the end of the phrase, a piccolo is added to double the melody (0:39). By 0:45, the strings develop with more movement, with the violins moving in parallel 4ths and 5ths, again complementing pentatonicism and Japanese elements.
Here, I made a decision that Ive only done twice before (in Sorrow and Regret & Jupiter Lighthouse) - I extended the duration of Sakurabas track. Originally, the track looped at 0:47, but I took the liberty of repeating the entire track to allow for additional development and to get the most out of this material.
As such, this 2nd half of the track (0:51 - 1:27) is structurally a repeat of the 1st (0:10 - 0:47), but now with the strings playing with the bow (arco), additional tambourine ostinati, and additional woodwind support from bassoons and clarinet.
By 1:10, the harmony alters slightly, shifting up to G rather than remaining on E (0:30). The clarinet soars up to the major 3rd (B), while the strings shift from their ostinati and into sustained chords to anchor Sakurabas original melody, now found in piccolo, piccoloboe and koto. All the while the drums and harp continue the rhythmic ostinato that has remained uninterrupted.
We get one final suggestion of E Dorian with a shift to A major (1:23; A-C♯-E) before we conclude with a final statement of the percussion ostinato, allowing a loop back to the beginning.
Overall, very surprised how this one turned out considering I hadnt programmed a koto before, and drums have always caused me problems in mixing but for some reason gave little trouble this time. Nevertheless, a very pleasant and joyful festival tune - enjoy!
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using sample libraries from EastWest, Vienna Symphonic and 8dio.
★Game: Golden Sun: The Lost Age
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Cubase 10, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Vienna Symphonic Library
★Tags: Golden, Sun, Golden Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Orchestra, Orchestral, Orchestration, Arrangement, Remix, Cover, Festival in Izumo
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#Izumo Festival in Izumo | Orchestral Cover](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VkuCBTZWfmk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ballad of the Goddess (Extended) | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Orchestral Cover)
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ [Removed by Nintendo JP]
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Another retroactive Extended video of an older arrangement - Ballad of the Goddess, the Main Theme from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - now with extra mastering and polish ✨
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using sample libraries from EastWest, Vienna Symphonic and the finest Yamaha Mk. II Baking Tray.
★Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
★Developer: Nintendo EAD
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mihoto Yokota, Takeshi Hama, Koji Kondo
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Cubase 10, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Vienna Symphonic Library
★Tags: Zelda, The Legend of Zelda, Skyward Sword, Skyward Sword HD, Orchestra, Orchestral, Orchestration, Arrangement, Remix, Cover, Sheet Music, Ballad of the Goddess
#SkywardSword
#BalladOfTheGoddess
#SheetMusic Ballad of the Goddess (Extended) | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Orchestral Cover)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/W-Zn0WpTVDg/mqdefault.jpg)


![Xian | Ethnic Orchestral Cover (ft. SableProvidence)
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ [Removed by Nintendo JP]
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Step into the ethnic realm of Xian with this Chinese-styled track from Golden Sun.
Featuring SableProvidence on the Dizi, check out their other work!
➤ https://linktr.ee/SableProvidence
➤ Analysis:
First heard in the village of Xian & Lama Temple in the original Golden Sun, how does Sakuraba convey the orient through music?
The first answer is, of course, pentatonicism (strictly adhering to only 5 notes) which is a common characteristic of East Asian music. Here, these 5 notes are E-G-A-B-D (E minor pentatonic), and are the only notes used in the entire track.
Another characteristic, largely one as a result of pentatonicism, is that of parallel 4ths & 5ths (i.e. material that moves together at the interval of either a perfect 4th or 5th). The opening has an example of this, looking at the strings moving largely a perfect 4th apart (with the 3rd appearing on occasion to adhere to pentatonicism). This intervallic parallelism persists throughout the entire track.
A further element Sakuraba could draw on would be the use of authentic oriental instruments. In his original, Sakuraba displays the heavy use of drums, strings & choir, with oboe and marimba melodies - an unfortunate lack of authentic instruments due to the hardware limitations of the time. But here, I have remedied this by incorporating Dizi (a membraned-flute), Suona (a reed), Sheng (a mouth organ), Pipa (a lute) & Guzheng (a zither) - traditional Chinese instruments that significantly enhance the oriental sound.
For the first statement of the melody (0:04), it is presented in the strings, pipa and guzheng. As it repeats (0:24), we now have additional dizi, sheng & string glissandi.
Moving into the 2nd section (0:42), the suona & violins deliver a new melody, soaring atop alternating bare 5ths chords in the choir & guzheng. This progresses to a faster mallet section (1:00), introducing marimba & guzheng on the melody with more bare 5ths accompaniment. This faster material continues through to the loop.
To close, I wrote a short ending (2:33) using the opening earlier material, now solely for the oriental instruments as a pleasant finisher to this East Asian track.
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using sample libraries from EastWest, Vienna Symphonic & Ethno World 6.
★Game: Golden Sun
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Cubase 10, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Vienna Symphonic Library, Ethno World 6
★Tags: Golden, Sun, Golden Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Orchestra, Orchestral, Orchestration, Arrangement, Remix, Cover, Xian
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#Xian Xian | Ethnic Orchestral Cover (ft. SableProvidence)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WBb403fF5Ac/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Angarian Journey | Orchestral Cover
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ [Removed by Nintendo JP]
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As suggested, here is an orchestral arrangement of the overworld theme from the original Golden Sun!
➤ Analysis:
One of the great overworld themes from Golden Sun, this track heavily travels around familiar territory through its use of primarily the tonic (I - C major), the subdominant (IV - F major) and dominant (V - G major) chords, with an occasional transition to the relative minor (vi - A minor), such as at 0:36. Otherwise, there is not much else to analyse!
For the arrangement, I decided to augment the triumphant/adventurous aesthetic, but at the same time allowing a few not-quite-as-loud moments to give a brief respite for the ear, for example, the opening at 0:03, and at 0:36, which dies down slightly before growing once more at 0:51.
I added a few additional counter-melodies to flesh out the harmony, such as in the trombones and violas of 0:51 and the 2nd violins of 1:05.
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using the brilliant EastWest sample libraries.
★Game: Golden Sun
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries, Orchestral Tools Majestic Horn
★Tags: Golden Sun, Golden, Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun The Lost Age, TLA, GS, Golden Sun Orchestra, Golden Sun Cover, Golden Sun Remix, Golden Sun Arrangement, Overworld, Overworld Theme, Golden Sun Overworld Music, Angarian Journey, Angara
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#TheLostAge The Angarian Journey | Orchestral Cover](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wmg9Z_24Q5Q/mqdefault.jpg)


![Inside Tret | Orchestral Cover
🎵 Sheet Music & Parts ➤ [Removed by Nintendo JP]
💗 MIDI / XML / Sibelius ➤ https://bit.ly/TandABundle
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An orchestral arrangement Ive made of this little theme from Golden Sun, also known as Altin Peak.
➤ Analysis:
Sorry for the wait! Its been a busy few months. Since no official titles for the OST were given, people seem to have rested either on Altin Peaks or Inside Tret, hence the title for this one.
The original audio is surprisingly grim, with several semitonal clashes (see the G# against A at 0:04) and an empty atmosphere given by the use of bare 5ths (A+E) with only the occasional 3rd mediant note. Ive emphasized this emptiness by focusing on the bare 5th element throughout.
There is an interesting False Relation semitonal clash as well at 0:22 with the G-natural in the bassoons and a G-sharp in the harp, further adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
I added oboes in the final phrase for their painful timbre (in my opinion!) that mimics the bassoons.
The score was created in Sibelius 7.5, and the audio was created in Cubase using the brilliant EastWest sample libraries.
★Game: Golden Sun
★Developer: Camelot Software Planning
★Publisher: Nintendo
★Composer(s): Motoi Sakuraba
★Software: Sibelius 7.5, Cubase Elements 7, Adobe Premiere Elements 15, EastWest Sample Libraries
★Tags: Golden Sun, Golden, Sun, The Lost Age, Golden Sun The Lost Age, TLA, GS, Golden Sun Orchestra, Golden Sun Cover, Golden Sun Remix, Golden Sun Arrangement, Altin Peak, Inside Tret, Kolima Forest, Altin, Mine
#GoldenSun
#Orchestra
#TheLostAge Inside Tret | Orchestral Cover](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XbyURnDq300/mqdefault.jpg)

