Orchestral Kirby

by Ronald van der Ham

supported by
hanofhyrule
hanofhyrule thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €7 EUR  or more

     

1.
Vegetable Valley 02:27
buy track
2.
Vegetable Valley - World Map 02:24
buy track
3.
Forest Area 02:36
buy track
4.
Butter Building - World Map 01:42
buy track
5.
Grape Garden - Theme & Variations 04:49
buy track
6.
Orange Ocean - World Map 03:17
buy track
7.
Rainbow Resort 03:45
buy track
8.
Rainbow Resort - World Map 02:53
buy track
9.
Fountain of Dreams - Nightmare Battle 03:46
buy track
10.
Peace Returns to Dreamland 02:43
buy track
11.
Green Greens 05:00
buy track
12.
Grape Garden - World Map 04:03
buy track
13.
Butter Building 03:48
buy track
14.
Ice Cream Island - Fantasy Extravaganza 06:33
buy track

about

In the fall/autumn of 2017 I wanted to take another swing at arranging music for orchestra. Instead of arranging originals I decided to look for a set a of well known themes with a potential for public appeal. This set would also have to lend itself to a classically tinged orchestral arrangement. I knew I had struck gold when I encountered the music of Kirby's Adventure, a NES game I loved to play in my youth. Its music was memorable across the board, and the 8-bit sound left enough room making reinterpretation worth the effort.

I noticed the music in Kirby's Adventure could be grouped into three categories: 1) Pop/rock-tunes such as the Yoghurt Yard and Boss Battle music; 2) Latin tunes such as the main music to the Butter Building & Orange Ocean and 3) Classical tunes. I chose from the latter category, because I reckoned these would be adapted most easily to a virtual orchestra.

I aimed at amplifying each theme's unique flavour. For example, I tried to bring out the Russian soul that lurked in the "Forest Area" and with the "Rainbow Resort Map" I highlighted its inherent sleepiness. In most tracks I added counterpoint freely, changed structure or key, developed variations and wrote proper endings (no fades!). This was especially necessary in order to flesh out the miniatures of the world maps. You will sometimes hear a truthful retelling of the music you know, whilst at other times you are taken into utterly new directions.

credits

released November 17, 2019

The original themes were written by Hirokazu Ando & Jun Ishikawa.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ronald van der Ham image

Ronald van der Ham DR, Netherlands

Ronald van der Ham is a Dutch composer & guitarist. He is always on the lookout for surprising and adventurous harmonies, and explores these in music's far corners, whether they be black metal, classical composition or good old heavy rock.

contact / help

Contact Ronald van der Ham

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Ronald van der Ham, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now