This blog is focused on music and its many forms and existent styles. Looking at what we've come from to how it is used in various industries. Brought to you by ShinyMuso, a team of students; Janice Hui, Jerome Varlet-Green, Nathan Beard and Joseph Kizana. Giving different opinions and varyingly informed views on each topic discussed.
Showing posts with label original soundtrack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label original soundtrack. Show all posts
Vogel im Käfig
is one of the main musical themes.This piece is first heard in episode 1, where
Eren and Mikasa witnesses their mother being eaten by a titan. It is often used
in scenes where characters die and when Eren are having flashbacks, especially
about his mother.
This song is
sung in German; some of the important lyrics are:
"The
inner fortune of people is
like colorful
light which shines through colored glass"
"We will
fight against our fate
We must not
give in to our fate."
"With
sorrow and confidence in our hearts
we show the
will to move on
No one shall
be willfully deprived of their life"
The instruments
and vocals heard are: main vocal singer, choir vocal singers, brass
instruments, strings instruments and percussion. The main vocal is needed
because there are lyrics to be sung. The choir vocals contributes to the mood
of humanity crying for help as a whole, and humans fighting against the titans.
Orchestral instruments such as strings and brass are western orchestral
instruments, they contribute to style of piece. Percussion is used for
emphasis, it represents when the people decides not to give up, and to fight
until their last breath.
The tempo of
this piece is Largo (very slow). Slow songs make listeners feel sadness and
peacefulness, also makes the song sound mournful. There are many pauses in this
song, which represents change of mood and thoughts.
This piece is
in Dorian mode, one of the Medieval music modes. This fits the anime series as
it is set in the Medieval times.
The overall
dynamics of this piece is soft. The dynamics does not change much, suggesting
that the people are tired, they don't have a choice but to fight and survive.
Soft dynamics represents sadness and quietness. It also suggests that people
are "voiceless"; they are crying for help, but they are not heard.
A narrow range
of notes are used. Again, this represents sadness. - sadness, peace
Complementing
harmonies are used and no dissonance is heard. This suggests the temporary
peacefulness and relaxation.
The structure
of this piece is through composed. Similar to ətˈæk
0N tάɪtn, it suggests that we could not go back in
time, and the determination of not looking back.
Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) is one of the most popular Japanese anime series, and I would be surprised if you haven't heard of it! This anime had brought me from the western video game and TV series world back to the Japanese anime/manga world. It contains some of my favourite soundtracks by my favourite anime composer, Hiroyuki Sawano. I'll be analysing one of my favourite soundtracks from the anime: XL-TT, the main theme of Attack on Titan.
OST 1 track 14 XL-TT
XL-TT is the
fourteenth track on the first Attack on Titan original soundtrack CD. It is one
of the main music theme used. This soundtrack is in E minor, key changes are
used to match the change of mood. The tempo changes in different sections, but
the metre is 4/4 for the whole track. This soundtrack is used in the scenes
where people prepare to fight Titans and in scenes where many deaths are
involved. This soundtrack is first heard in episode 1, where the Colossal Titan
breaks the wall and people are under attack by the Titans.
This piece is
sung in German to fit the theme of the anime and the main character - Eren.
Some of the
important lyrics that represent the mood, story and character:
The
instruments are: choir vocal singers, brass instruments, strings instruments,
electronic sounds and percussions (synthesisers), electric guitar and bass.
Vocals are used because lyrics had to be sung. Choir singers are included to
create the intense and powerful feeling, which also suggests an army of
soldiers fighting against the titans. Brass instruments are used because they
are usually related to military. Electronic sounds and percussion are
non-traditional instruments, they are used because the advanced technology that
exists within the series. Electric guitar and bass are used to give it a
distorted and heavy tone colour, making the piece a little similar to heavy
metal.
This
soundtrack starts with a rapid drumroll building up to the powerful entry of
choir vocals. The use of drums create a dramatic atmosphere. The tempo is
Allegro (quickly), and the dragged out notes are an augmented version of Attack
on Titan, another soundtrack that shares the same main melody line. The choir
vocals sing in unison with the strings, representing the unifying of mankind
against the Titans. The synthesised percussion is heavily distorted,
representing the explosions and destroying of houses while the Titans attack.
The brass instruments play the harmony, adding a rich feeling to the tone
colour. The bells play crotchet notes and they are repeated over and over,
creating a feeling or urgency, because bells are used as a reminder of
"the time has come". The melody is repeated again, with strings
playing an octave higher, creating layers and emphasising the dramatic
atmosphere. The synthesisers harmonises with the melody but creates dissonance
with melody, matching the chaotic situation.
Section B is
focuses on the rhythmic layers at first. There is repetition used in the drum
section, the bells play in semi-tone in a stepwise motion, representing the
hesitation of the people who had to face the Titans - the motion of stepping
forward and backwards repeatedly. The synthesiser continues to create
dissonance to represent the on-going chaos.
Section C has
a thinner texture and is quieter than the previous sections. The strings play
low pitched quaver notes repeated, suggesting the action of people running, and
some of them hiding. The pitched synthesiser represents the explosions, it is
also a syncopated rhythmic layer formed with long and short notes, representing
the Titans walking around.
The choir
vocals are heard again in section D, they sing the main melody, which again is
an augmented version of the Attack on Titan theme. When the melody is repeated,
the brass joins in with the vocals, gongs and bells also joins in, creating a
more intense feeling.
A new melody
is introduced in section E. The main melody line is still long and dragged out
notes, representing the sound of people calling and crying for help. The vocals
and strings are in unison, the backing choir acting as harmony, singing in
intervals with the melody. The melody line played by synthesiser after the
vocals stop singing is unorganised and has a wider ranger, suggesting stronger
feelings and gives listeners an uneasy feeling.
Section F
establishes a new tempo by the use of synthesiser playing syncopated rhythm.
The tempo changes to Andante. The vocals and brass starts at the same time; all
parts are unison at first, but then branches off into four parts harmonising
each other. The melody is sung by the choir, the bells play the same note in a
syncopated rhythm that is not sustained. This brings back the sense of urgency.
The key changes from E minor to C minor, signifying the change of situation.
The low pitched quaver chords played by string also enhances the atmosphere.
The accompaniment changes as the part is repeated again. Strings are divided
into two parts, one part in unison with vocals, the other part continues with
the accompaniment. The brass plays the harmony and creates dissonance as
synthesisers are not used. In between the change of sections, synthesiser plays
notes with no particular pattern that creates a chaotic feeling.
The mood
contrasts between G, H, and I. The atmosphere remains intense in section G,
although there is no dissonance with the lack of use of pitched synthesiser.
The mood changes in section H. The melody is different from section G, the main
melody sung by choir and played by strings are lower pitched, as if the people
are thinking about giving up. The thinner layer and less instruments used
creates a temporary peaceful feeling. Section I is the continuation of G, the
notes of the melody are in the higher register, and the accompaniment of
instruments are similar to section G. In these last three sections,
synthesisers are used as rhythmic layers, and they are not used to create dissonance.
This gives a hopeful feeling of things finally being in control, suggests a
chance of victory at last.
The main reason why I analyse soundtracks is so I could appreciate all the small details of them, and so I could share them to others, making others appreciate them too! Did you enjoy my analysis this time? :)
Next time, I will be analysing another soundtrack from Attack on Titan! I just love this anime way too much. See you!
