The Legend Of Zelda Symphony Of The Goddesses

Went to this sometime back and was absolutely in love. If you are someone who really loves the games or perhaps the music in the Zelda franchise these showings are certainly something not to miss if only to experience it one time.
Before the show there was a table the line passed where people could purchase merch — T-​shirts or sheet music books. If you play a guitar or piano and would like one of these books then be sure to get in line as soon as you can especially if you play piano. I missed out on a chance to get the piano sheet music booklet and opted for the guitar one despite not really being able to play the guitar. No regrets, but I really would have preferred a book to the instrument I play. Haha. I also ended up buying a shirt as well so either way, if you want merch just make sure you are early in line or you might end up with slimmer pickings.
The show itself was beautiful. They played several videos in the background while going through songs from various games in the franchise. It made the little kid in me who grew up in love with the games swell with happiness as I used to hear about the concerts in Japan for Final Fantasy and the like and would lament and dream to actually get to go to one.
I really recommend seeing the show at least once for any Zelda fan or maybe just someone who loves the soundtrack to the games. It’s quite something hearing it played by an orchestra live.

On April 30, 2015, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses returned to Atlanta yet again to a venue where it had been held twice before: the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This was the third time in four years that Symphony of the Goddesses came to Atlanta and I’ve been all three times (2012, 2013, 2015). You can read my reviews of the 2012 and 2013 concerts below. This review update is for the 2015 concert.
The first Zelda concert series in 2012 was known as Symphony of the Goddesses. The next iteration in 2013 was known as «Second Quest.» This third iteration in 2015 has been dubbed «Master Quest.» Second Quest and Master Quest share largely the same material from the original Symphony of the Goddesses with a few new pieces and tweaks here and there. While I absolutely loved the 2012 and 2013 concerts, I was disappointed in the 2015 concert.
I think it’s important to note that since I attended the 2012 and 2013 concerts, I had something to compare the 2015 concert to. This wasn’t my first rodeo, so to speak. The 2012 and 2013 concerts were so great that anything that came after it had a lot to live up to. I attended the 2015 concert with several friends. Some of them had been to a Zelda concert before, others had not. A couple of the first-​timers loved it. However, two first-​timers left at intermission and those of us who had been before were as impressed with the performance as before. If you want to find out more, read on.
Something (or some things) about Master Quest seemed off. I can’t quite put my finger on all the reasons why. From my perspective as a fan, I did not think Master Quest had the same level of energy nor passion as Second Quest or the original Symphony of the Goddesses. The concert felt formulaic, bland, and very much «by the book.» I think a lot of this had to do with two of the original composers/​producers of the show, Chad Seiter and Jeron Moore, no longer being with the Zelda symphony production company.
When Chad and Jeron ran the show, they would engage the fans and speak a bit before each piece. As fellow fans, we could relate and connect with them. They would take the time to explain each of the pieces or movements coming up. They would inject a bit of humor. They would introduce the conductor. The conductor would even play along and use a Wind Waker conductor’s baton. Sadly, there was none of that in Master Quest. I have no idea who conducted the show. Jason Michael Paul, the producer, came out and said a few words and that was it.
The show appeared to be lacking direction. It’s kind of like pressing «play» on a playlist and not knowing what songs are on the playlist. Since we weren’t told what songs were coming up next, it would have been nice if the set list was published somewhere, such as in the program or online (e.g. on the Zelda Symphony Facebook page). Here was the Atlanta Master Quest set list as best as I can piece together from my memory, photos, and videos:
1. Prelude — Zelda Overture
2. Gerudo Valley (Ocarina of Time)
3. Medley — Twilight Princess & DS (either Phantom Hourglass or Spirit Tracks)
4. Majora’s Mask Medley
5. (new) A Link Between Worlds Medley
6. Creation of Hyrule (Golden Goddesses)
7. Movement 1 — Ocarina of Time
8. Movement 2 — Wind Waker
–Intermission–
9. Fairy Theme (short)
10. Movement 3 — Twilight Princess
11. Movement 4 — A Link to the Past
–Encores–
12. (new) Majora’s Mask 3D Medley
13. Dragon Roost Island (Wind Waker)
14. Skyward Sword Medley
If you compare the above set list with the set lists from the previous Zelda concerts held in Atlanta (below), you’ll notice that most of the content is the same, particularly the four movements. Whereas the concerts in 2012 and 2013 did a fantastic job in telling a story (a lot of that probably had to do with Chad and Jeron), Master Quest did not. «Disconnected» and «weird» were words I heard used to describe the video and storytelling by more than one person at the concert. There is no denying the music is great. It’s just the way in which the material was presented. It seemed to be missing something, like heart.
There were video recordings, played between songs, of Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto, producer/​director Eiji Aonuma, and music composer Koji Kondo speaking to the fans. That was neat. I appreciated the enhanced visuals from games such as Wind Waker HD and Majora’s Mask 3D. Those were a couple new things from Master Quest I did enjoy.
The ending of the show was anticlimactic. After three encore performances, the conductor and orchestra led us to believe there might be a fourth encore. Instead, as both the orchestra and fans took their seats for a final time, a black screen appeared and production credits rolled silently. How awkward.
The show was sold-​out and rightfully so. The Legend of Zelda is a beloved franchise with wonderful music. I do recommend this symphony to anyone who has never been before. However, you may want to think twice if it isn’t your first time.

I saw this at the Wang Theater in Boston Nov. 2013. I’m an incorrigible gamer. I love orchestra performances. But despite really wanting to enjoy this, I came out disappointed.
The format is a single big screen that shows Legend of Zelda highlights from the various games while an orchestra plays below. The biggest problem is that the visual presentation is not engaging. It was actually really boring. I’m assuming that everyone considering going to this show at some point has sat through watching someone else play a video game. Imagine that, but over two hours as an orchestra hidden in the dark below the screen plays the video game soundtrack. That’s it. No costumes, no theater, no whimsy, no surprises. No fun. Just a bunch of legend of zelda play through and cut scenes (which are mostly low-​def BTW).
The creator/​producer does come on stage and talk a little about each game, with some jokes, but it falls pretty flat and awkward. It’s like this show is on a shoe-​string budget. They didn’t even offer a show program. The tickets I got were over $ 90 each and the Wang theater was half empty. I’m not surprised. That is way overpriced for what this is. Radiolab tickets at the Wang in the same section were only $ 65 each the week before, and that show was so much more amazing than this. I would skip this. Get your nostalgia somewhere else, there are better things to do and play.

For someone who did not grow up playing any of the Zelda games, I still fully enjoyed myself at the Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses concert in Atlanta.
The first thing that I loved about it was people watching — there are so many great costumes that people dress up in! You have the inaccurate tall Link that we called Giraffe Link, and you have the little kid Links that seem more life sized.
The second thing that I loved about it was that the musicians are all local Atlantians! «The members of the orchestra are all your friends and neighbors.» That gave me the chills. I think it is so cool that the directors choose local musicians to play in the concert wherever they tour.
The last thing that I loved about it was the music itself. So freaking epic — I feel like I’m on an adventure to fight evil and save a damsel in distress. The screen above the orchestra also plays clips of the video game to match with the music, so that adds to the effect. I will say that if you can, pay a little more for better seats so you have a better view of the screen.
Overall, the Zelda concert was great and a lot of fun, even for someone who hasn’t played the game before.
[41 of 100]

The Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses played Calgary’s Jubilee Auditorium last night and I had the privledge of being in the audience that I believe was a sell out (or from what I could see).
Overheard leaving the show: «Like, I don’t even care if we get into a firey car crash and die on the way home because I’m, Like, TOTALLY complete!» «I KNOW, right?!?»
Maybe a bit extreme but it was still a pretty terrific performance and I’m not even amoung the biggest of fans of the game series.
it was a very different experience to be in an audience of Gen Ys at a Symphony as opposed to people my parent’s age or older like most audiences I’ve sat in before. There were battles in the lobby, cosplay, colored hair and pointed ears, people playing games with the applause (like the wave? Idk how to describe exactly) and shout outs of «listen!» when the house lights started to dim. The conductor really worked with it — making it about excited fans over it being a rude thing. She even conducted a song with a sword to ecstatic cheers. Visuals were great and went along with the music beautifully. There was something for everyone from children who have only loved a game or two on the Wii to the older folks that maybe don’t play the game — but love the music.
What I truely apprechiated was the guy who put it all together was giving the prolog and you can tell he’s obsessed with the game. It wasn’t just a money thing — it was a passion thing and that was obvious.
Another thing I really like about this type of performance is how involved the younger generations get about cultural activities like symphony when it ties into their interests. This just proves to my parent’s generation it’s about «how» to reach us with the arts and not that we’re not interested.
Can anyone say Twilight Opera? Haha… jk!
Review 11 of 30 in Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge

Since I view myself as a geek, I’ve already been to two live video game orchestral concerts. I went to the Final Fantasy one last year. This time, I went to see The Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses concert.
I loved the venue choice. The Cobb Energy Center looks and feels more modern. The acoustics sound good. And it seems to pack more people, or maybe that’s just an optical illusion.
I only played 5 Zelda games: The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, and The Wind Waker. I only remember the music from the first two games: The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link.
Even though I only remembered the music from the first two games, I liked this concert better than the Final Fantasy one. I played and recognized the music from all ten Final Fantasy games I played. So why did I like this concert better than the Final Fantasy concert?
I think one reason is that I played the Zelda games at a younger age. So when I heard the music from the first 2 games, it hit home harder. The nostalgia factor seemed greater. And I spent many months on those 2 games. They were a part of my childhood for a long time.
Also, I thought it was a better concert overall. There were no terrible, out-​of-​pitch singing. And Koji Kondo is a great composer. Even though I didn’t recognize 90% of the music, I still enjoyed myself due to the good music.
I also liked how the producer was a major Zelda geek. He seemed like a true fan. He came out and introduced each piece, and you saw his enthusiasm. I can emphatize with him. I remember when I was young, I wanted to hear orchestral versions of my favorite video game songs. He probably did too and actually put together a nice concert when he got older.
It was a great concert. It had a few people who dressed up as characters from the video game, the music was great, and the atmosphere was great. The only problem I had was that some of these geeks need to take a shower if they want to go out in public.