Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Abbey’s original work 'The Master Sword Emerges’ won first prize in the Release the Image category of Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) composition competition, RELEASE 2026.
Abbey, from Centre for Young Musicians, says: “I chose this clip because I’m a composer at heart, and a gamer. My dream is to score videogames. I love Legend of Zelda because it evokes many feelings, from wonder to sadness to (on some levels!) frustration. This clip has it all: a villain, a “mysterious forest clearing”, and a magic sword. Musically, this has everything and was fun for me to write. When I started writing the villain’s theme, I wanted to write something catchy, like Darth Vader’s theme in Star Wars, and make the listener gasp and smile, like what so many scores have done for me. There was a lot of going back and forth from the piano to my computer! I named this piece “The Master Sword Emerges” for two reasons: it’s dramatic, and because we all need a little hope, and the Master Sword gives both the hero and the player that. Thank you.”
The category judge for Release the Image was Barbara de Biasi, Deputy Head of Electronic & Produced Music & Lead Professor of Film Music at Guildhall School.
Find out more about GYA here: gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/guildhall-young-artists
Abbey’s original work 'The Master Sword Emerges’ won first prize in the Release the Image category of Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) composition competition, RELEASE 2026.
Abbey, from Centre for Young Musicians, says: “I chose this clip because I’m a composer at heart, and a gamer. My dream is to score videogames. I love Legend of Zelda because it evokes many feelings, from wonder to sadness to (on some levels!) frustration. This clip has it all: a villain, a “mysterious forest clearing”, and a magic sword. Musically, this has everything and was fun for me to write. When I started writing the villain’s theme, I wanted to write something catchy, like Darth Vader’s theme in Star Wars, and make the listener gasp and smile, like what so many scores have done for me. There was a lot of going back and forth from the piano to my computer! I named this piece “The Master Sword Emerges” for two reasons: it’s dramatic, and because we all need a little hope, and the Master Sword gives both the hero and the player that. Thank you.”
The category judge for Release the Image was Barbara de Biasi, Deputy Head of Electronic & Produced Music & Lead Professor of Film Music at Guildhall School.
Find out more about GYA here: gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/guildhall-young-artists
