February 27th, 2015
February 27th, 2015. That was an emotionally charged day in so many ways.
It was the day Leonard Nimoy passed away. He was well loved by his family, friends and cast members, and by countless fans all across the globe. He was most well-known for playing Spock, and I feel that in real life he was a true balance between the emotions of humanity and the rational logic of fictional Vulcans. He fought for women’s rights. He fought to get his co-star Nichelle Nichols equal pay. So many things that he did, he did with reason and with kindness. He spoke and wrote beautiful words that speak to the experience of a life well-lived. Shortly before he passed, he shared poetry from his book, These Words Are For You. He also shared a tweet saying, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.” It was one of the most touching things I’d ever read. Mr. Nimoy, you lived long and you prospered. The light you gave to the world is preserved in memories. And film. And text.
Watching Wrath of Khan will never be the same.
February 27th was also a happy anniversary day spent in Boston, MA seeing the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses at Boston Symphony Hall. So there’s that.
The Zelda symphony was a delight for the ears. There was a lot of focus on Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, and a dabbling of A Link Between Worlds and some others. Oh, and there was some Skyward Sword music. Say what you will about the game, but the music is enjoyable. Naturally, Gerudo Valley was one of the pieces.
There was a lot of visual entertainment as well. There was a very large screen projecting video from the various games, and there were many times it would project close-up shots of musicians in the orchestra. There were some musicians who got very animated, and it was very satisfying to see an artist so into their work. There were also video messages from Miyamoto throughout the performance. I particularly enjoyed the message about how music creates an emotional connection between the player and the avatar in the world and how the player feels like they are growing with the avatar (in this case, Link) throughout the journey. I often come back to that idea again and again whenever I play the type of game that just burrows itself into my fondest memories.
It is also incredible that video game music can bring so many people together. I mean, video game music is ART now. How freaking cool is that? Fans at the BSO were so diverse! Women, men. Different races. People in cosplay. There was a really exceptional Princess Zelda down at the ground floor level that I noticed from up in the balcony. Kudos to you! Your costume gets you noticed across a crowded symphony hall. There were also a ton of people with 3DSes out before the performance, during intermission, and after the show. Think of how many connections were made! People were talking to one another, but you could still StreetPass some random person walking by. It was a night that really brought people together, and that was really cool.
I have only one concern for you, my fellow Zelda fans. The next time you go to a video game music symphony–whether it is another Symphony of the Goddesses or Distant Worlds–please show a bit of impulse control and basic courtesy. It is extremely bad form to whisper or giggle or make other comments that can wait while the musicians are performing (Girl behind me with the frequent giggling—don’t know if you can’t control yourself or something, but seriously. Also, sorry they didn’t play Song of Storms for you since you kept whining about it.) It is even worse to attempt flash photography in a darkened symphony hall while the performance is going on. (Don’t think I didn’t see you Dude in the Second Balcony, near the center, in like, Row A or B. You idgit.) BSO etiquette was clearly stated. Be silent during the performance. Just…shut your cakehole, put your flippin’ phones and cameras away, and ENJOY THE MOMENT.
Recent Comments