Phils Game/Pop Music Similarities #172 - Wedding Lulz

[PhilsPhindings]

Featuring Final Fantasy VI and some romantic waltzes.


Greetings fellow game music lovers,


as an expansion of my previous outtake entry I dug up some waltzes that feature progressions similar to the wedding waltz from Final Fantasy VIs (1994) wedding waltz:

in the Aria Di Mezzo Caraterre opera:


Franz von Lehar / Der Graf von Luxemburg - Bist du's lachendes Glück (1909):

Emile Waldteufel / Valse Roses de Noel (Waltz,Op.230) (1877):

Carl Michael Ziehrer / Ich lach'! (1914):

Of course this kind of waltzes held their popularity well into the first half of the 20th century, so they also inspired music there:


Circus music / Desert Patrol:

Leo Reisman / Cole Porter - You Do Something To Me (1929):

Phil out!

 

[Dionysos]

Yeah, I can agree that there are some close similarities that the FFVI waltz shares with these 19th to early 20th century waltzes. Those progressions do seem very close to my ear.

As an aside, I'm not sure if you're familiar already or not with this, but last month a book was released about the music in Final Fantasy VI written by Sebastian Deken. I read it and reviewed it here and do believe it is right up your alley. It dedicates an entire chapter to the opera scene.

 

[PhilsPhindings]

Thanks.

After reading it, can you tell me if he does that sample -> song based matching I do or just general music theory?

 

[Dionysos]

Thanks.

After reading it, can you tell me if he does that sample -> song based matching I do or just general music theory?

It isn't the exact same as your project. But with some tracks he does break down the various leitmotifs and what they sound like / appear to be inspired by in terms of their genre and effect. Sebastian also explores how the music helps to tell the story as well.

It includes music theory, but it doesn’t go too heavy on the music theory. I myself have no formal training or knowledge of music theory and could understand it because of the way he describes the music. I was able to learn a lot of value from it. Like your articles, it enhanced my appreciation for the music in the game, and its wider context.

The book also considers Nobuo Uematsu’s interests and background, which could be of interest to you too. Some of the influences we have already discussed (including Tchaikovsky) are mentioned.