Transcript Transformation of Classical music to video games

Transfantasia 2003
Lisa Kim, Michelle Kwon, Tina Lin
Introduction - Transformation
• From Merriam-Webster Online (www.m-w.com):
transformation:
1 : an act, process, or instance of transforming
1 a : to change in composition or structure
1 b : to change the outward form or appearance of
1 c : to change in character or condition
Fantasia vs. Transfantasia
•
Fantasia 2000: "a montage of
state of the art animated short
films set to classical music"
(www.eopinions.com)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/fantasia_2000/
•
Transfantasia 2003: a "transformation" of fantasia 2000 in the way that
the format is similar, but the contents are displayed in a different media.
•
There is an educational element to Fantasia, and this is preserved in
Transfantasia 2003.
•
Fantasia is in movie form -->
Transfantasia is in powerpoint slide form!
Introduction - Transfantasia
• Transfantasia 2003 serves to educate its audience of
the different types of media people transform
classical music into:
Pure pop music remix
Remix & visual representation
Video game music
Transformation: Classical Music
to Modern Pop Music
• Classical Era: 1750-1820
• Some classical composers:
-Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
-Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
-Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
• “Pop” = Popular music nowadays
- repetitions
- familiar – easy to learn
- heavily rhythmic
Beethoven’s Für Elise
• HISTORY
– Für Elise is a beginning piano piece (1867)
– Original title: Clavierstuck in A mull (Keyboard piece in A minor)
– Beethoven had autographed the piece in German with
dedication: "For Elise on April 27, 1810, as a remembrance of L.
v. Beethoven.“
• FORM
– Rhythm:
consistent
– Meter: 3/8
– Sixteenth
notes, yet
flows
smoothly
Für Elise Turns Techno
Vanessa Mae: an incredible
violinist and began her
classical training with
the violin at age 5.
http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/00/80/b6/12_1.JPG
• FORM
– Rhythm: inconsistent
– Meter: 2/4
– Eighth notes, but
sounds very agitated
http://www.jakobkramer.dk/privat/nfsketgb.htm
Transformation: Classical Music to
Visual & Other Modern Music
• Disco: popular dance music in the ‘70s with
strong repetitive bass rhythms – originated
during Big Band Era.
• Use of:
-Real instruments
-Emerging technology
-Multiple mixes
-Extended single
-Remixes
• Influenced heavily techno music
• Classical:
-structure
-simpler
-less contrapuntal
-less mathematical
-more pleasing to the ear
• Beethoven: noted genius in
music known for his short
temper and elaborate writing
style
Fifth Symphony…
…A Fifth of Beethoven
• Beethoven’s 5th Symphony: Exposition of first theme
Exposition of second theme
Development
Recap
Coda
• Significant first 4 notes:
knocking of fate on one’s door
most famous notes in western music today
• “Remixes” by:
– Electric Light Orchestra – a disco
band/orchestra that created a hybrid
between the old sounds of classical &
new sounds of disco
– Walter Murphy – “I had this crazy idea
to take symphonic music and combine
it with contemporary rhythm.”
http://www.superseventies.com/1976_7singles.html
Fifth Symphony in Fantasia 2000
aiming for familiarity
with emotion, but abstract
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Balcony/8128/Movies/Fantasia/fantasia2000.html
Interpretation:
• There are two sides – good and evil, represented:
…musically by powerful melody of first exposition vs.
lyrical melody of the second.
…visually by butterflies vs. bats
(also differ in color, size, shape)
Transformation: Classical Music
to Video Game music
• Video games date back
• Constantly updating- system
change, Nintendo to Super
Nintento to Nintendo 64 to
Nintendo Gamecube, etc.
• Relevant to modern society
• Appeal effort is ever
increasing, music important
factor
• What aspects draw video
game composers to classical
music/high culture?
http://www.world-import.com/images/sony-playstation.jpg
Structure
Bach = Super Mario
• Fugal structure primary
structure in Baroque Era
• Johann Sebastian Bach,
1685-1750, utilized in his
preludes and fugues
www.classical.net/music/ comp.lst/bachjs.html
• Super Mario RPG, Super
Nintendo, 1996
• Utilizes fugal structure to
symbolize castle setting,
background music
gmi.rocketbaby.net/ pscn5047.html
Chord Progression
Final Fantasy VIII
photogallery.uhome.net/ ff81.htm
• Choral progression important
in 18th century counterpoint
and chorale writing
• Mondonville, 1711-1772,
utilized choral progression and
texture
• Final Fantasy VIII,
Playstation,1999
• Utilizes chorale-type chord
progression to depict an
important moment
Contour
Chopin = Dance Dance Revolution
• Romantic Era- experimental,
utilized different types of
voices and styles in
composition
• Fredrick Chopin, 1810-1849,
pioneer in change of melodic
line and voice
www.geneastar.net/en/ categorie.php3?metier=chanteur19
• Dance Dance Revolution,
Playstation 2, 2001
• Utilized direct conversion of
actual musical context into
digital orchestration/techno
http://www.gamershell.com/hellzone_Other_Dance_Dance_Revolution.shtml
Conclusion
• Thus, structure, progression, and contour are
part of the appeal of Classical music.
• Classical music can be deemed a product of
High Culture.
• Then, the transformation of Classical music into
video game music can be deemed a utilization
of high culture in order to appeal to society
today.