Chrono Trigger - Schala's Theme (Orchestral Remix)

An orchestral remix/remake/cover of Schala's Theme from Chrono Trigger using high-end sample libraries.
Video Game: Chrono Trigger
Title: Schala's Theme (サラのテーマ)
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda (光田康典)
Orchestration: Malcolm Robinson
Software Used:
Cubase 7.5
EWQL Hollywood Strings (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Brass (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Orchestral Percussion (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Harp (Diamond)
EWQL Symphonic Orchestra (Platinum)
EWQL Pianos (Platinum)
EWQL Stormdrum 2
EWQL Stormdrum 3
EWQL Ra
EWQL Silk
8Dio AGE
8Dio Adagio
8Dio Majestica
Best Service - ERA Medieval Legends
Best Service - Shevannai
Soundiron - Venus Women's Choir
Embertone - Friedlander Violin
Embertone - Fischer Viola
Embertone - Crystal Flute
Spitfire - Albion
Impact Soundworks - Plectra 2

[@klavair8978]

Stop degrading yourselves! We Enlightened Ones were once the same as you. The only difference is that we are under Lavos' control. -Schala

[@Egobyte83]

She really was written as a true wise and kind leadership figure, wasn't she? Like, you can really feel the disdain she felt for what her own society had become.

[@ThorDude]

and here we see a seriously underrated remixer

[@jhart6764]

Well at least he has a decent amount of views on his works.

[@onlythequestion]

Copy that. Just give it time. The cream always rises to the top.

[@exiledmonastic4650]

J hart yes that is a good consolation. Orchestral remixers are among the most underrated and unrecognized musicians on youtube.

[@johnsans534]

OOOH YEAH

[@vexnexus9530]

What makes you so good at this is that you're really good at enhancing the sound quality of classic tunes without sucking the original feel of them. Best version of Schala's Theme I've ever heard. Thanks so much!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks so much for the comment! I always do my best to preserve the feel of the original piece and I'm glad you like it.

[@all.the.same.iProductions]

Malcolm Robinson Music I’d love if you could redo this with the superior ‘to far away times’ arrangement

[@TexasWench]

Exactly! That's what makes him so brilliant. It's how I heard it in my head the entire time. He takes things I love and makes them more beautiful and powerful than I could've honestly hoped.

[@RichDolo]

_You literally took the words outta my mouth before my brain had time to process them_

[@thought2007]

Many so-called remixes fail to capture the same feeling of the original, but this one gets it just right.

[@TheAdvertisement]

This is such a sad yet peaceful theme, especially after Zeal palace. I feel this not only represents Schala, but the people just trying to survive under this cruel queen. The people that are still making an honest living. The flute has so much power in this cover, and being backed up by the violins gives it all the more emotion. I love 2:18, where the (harp or glockenspiel?) stops, just leaving the flute and violins, until it slowly makes its way back in.

[@Egobyte83]

Agreed, this is like the true spirit of the citizens of Zeal, the ones who couldn't dare speak up, who had their undying spirits smothered by a tyrant who controlled their kingdom with an iron hand and threw away their gfreatness, their very soul into the fire for her own ambition. She desired and they had to live with the shame and guilt. Kind of like IRL russians today...

[@TheAnimeotaku2k]

If you just close your eyes and listen to this, you can almost feel like you are there with Schala during 12000 B.C.

[@IrvingIV]

(and it will bring you to tears.)

[@davidclerget9401]

This is easily my favorite piece from CT.

[@Gabriel-br4qe]

I wish there was more interaction with Schala and development of her character

[@TheAnimeotaku2k]

I want this song to be played at my funeral

[@ballzoffire123]

If that happens, you just might come back to..... Ohhhh. I get it. Well played.....

[@joshuapatrick682]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking it..

[@tribexen]

Agreed

[@JustAthel]

This really makes me wanna replay Chrono Trigger all over again.

[@Nellinator23]

This rearrangement moved me to tears. This track is one of the most powerful for me, and I lack the words to describe how beautiful I find this version of it. Brilliant work.

[@ricardoalanvargasgamboa]

-Don't waste your time, Alphador only likes me... meow

[@rigistroni]

I love that Alphador will follow Magus around if you bring him to the area after he joins

[@Lancun]

I remember when I subscribed to you a year ago, I wanted to see four things that I knew you would absolutely knock out of the park after hearing the work you did on Wind Scene, Manoria, and Undersea. Those four songs are the opening theme, Magus' theme, Schala's theme, and Corridor of Time. You have absolutely stunned me with three out of the four...just one more to go, and you'll reach absolute musical perfection to bringing new life to the immortal Chrono Trigger soundtrack. This one was just majestic.

[@IottiPH]

One of my favorite songs and it still gives me goosebumps in your version hahaha Seriously, great job!!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thank you!

[@raulpacheco7488]

+Malcolm Robinson Music You are damn good man, keep up the good work

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

raul pacheco Thanks! I'll do my best!

[@Thedraconicwerewolf]

You truly have a talent with music. I can close my eyes and allow myself to be immersed into the beauty that is this music. The confusion and pain reverberates well throughout the piece. The instruments really reflect conflict and heartache, a fitting reference to Schala herself. Then there's that mysteriously creepy heartbeat-like sound playing in the background; a symbol perhaps of the "blessed magic" that is Lavos? In the end, I'm amazed you were able to make an ominously sad theme into a soulful piece of tragic beauty. Like all of your other works, this is the product of a truly talented individual. Great job, man; I hope you continue to pour that soulful essence in all of your musical works.

[@ZeldagigafanMatthew]

The music team knew what they were doing with this, deepening the connection between Magus and Schala.

[@atamumu.breakfast2807]

Schala is the true protagonist. Creator of the lavos killing superweapon. The time travelling magic stone, able to summon the earth's mightiest champions from different eras to defeat lavos.

[@mmmmmmm3246]

What I love about this version is that it feels like the version of the song Mitsuda would have liked to have in the game, had the SNES not been limited. Great work :)

[@all.the.same.iProductions]

The Flippity Flop I guess you haven’t heard the ‘to far away times’ arrangement then

[@SquatterLoki]

What was made... Another man can improve... You. You are that man.

[@Eversoul12]

This was a piece from the game I never really understood the appeal of for a long time. Then I heard this cover of it and now I really feel the powerful emotion from this track. Great job dude. Always look forward to hearing more.

[@leftymu]

Absolutely incredible remake of Schala's theme. I love this theme so much, and everything about Schala and her story is one of my favourite aspects of the game. And what kills me is that there was plenty of room for much more to be added to that

[@vksasdgaming9472]

It is best as mystery. All we can hope is that she found happiness when and where she wound up. Time Devourer (bonus boss of DS-version) actually doesn't work. Zeal banished five people and fate of only one of them remained a mystery and of those four two got relatively good deal.

[@vgaudiophile5397]

Flawless! Every single one of your covers is absolute perfection, and this one is no exception! Thank you so much for sharing your work with us!

[@isaacshacky17]

makes me wanna cry and go back to being a child and escape this adult life into a different world 😢

[@chandlerlewis3309]

Damn man that's really depressing. Life can still be beautiful in adulthood.

[@rogen8094]

Me too, kid

[@jonaswirawan7163]

Me too.

[@svenkamog2232]

Same life is shit

[@NobleVagabond2552]

I hope you’ve all managed to find at least some yang for your yin even if they don’t always seem to equal out

[@MadameTeqi]

Well, after hearing your Far Away Times cover, I had to see if you had this... And you do. And now I'm sobbing. Schala makes me ache with sorrow. She didn't deserve a shred of her fate. But this rendition of her theme, this she deserved.

[@lunamaria1048]

I still wish i could save Schala!

[@N3rd_House]

Play Chrono Cross and you can!

[@Enigma1788]

@@N3rd_House Really? You're just going to post a totally blatant spoiler for the folks that may have never played Cross? Keep in mind that Trigger didn't see a release in Europe until 2009, and Cross is only just getting released for the first time over there in 2022. Usually, I'll be one of the first people to point out Trigger/Cross are 27/23 year old games respectively and that there does come a point where you're an idiot for bitching about spoilers. However, considering the Chrono series collectively has had a very shoddy release history in Europe, and that Cross is literally getting its first ever re-release, I'm just going to skip straight to the part where I call you a total ass. You good with that asshole?

[@Egobyte83]

It hits hard when you're playing the DS version and you watch the cutscene where Lavos kills Crono, and you see the flashback to Janus saying that one of us would die with this music subtly highlighting the emotional core of the prophecy finally being revealed that the one who would die was none other than the main character himself. That was such an omg moment.

[@janahoeningmusic]

Sounds really awesome! And thanks for leaving the sample-libraries you used in the description!

[@danielsales442]

Man you keep getting it right and even better each time. Srsly, there are a lot of remixes out there of any game but nothing compares to your work. I dont know how but you manage to capture the essence of what makes these tunes so awesome and amplfy it. Thanks man.

[@legopokeman8942]

Thank you for this beautiful remix Malcolm.

[@AMcGrath82]

Thank you SO much for doing the Sealed Door! It's a beautiful piece.

[@davidclerget9401]

I saved this before I even heard the track. Great work! This is my favorite piece from the entire CT soundtrack.

[@WDizzle]

30 years later and I still consider this to be the most beautiful pieces of video game music ever made.

[@xxargonautxx9790]

This is my all time favorite OST from Chrono trigger, This song is so amazing. When you see Schala and find out more about her, we see how sad her story is, but this sound track doesn't show that. It shows us something more mysteries and magical about her. I really do wish they could do a 3d remake on Chrono trigger and actually do something to show us more on this beautiful JRPG. Chrono cross really disappointed me. I only see Chrono trigger as it stand alone game.

[@shivamchouhan5077]

The best remix of schala's theme on the internet

[@patrickgen]

Always looking forward to your new songs! Beautiful!

[@starlightcalliope6792]

Bloody fantastic, as your Orchestral Remixes always are.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@8-bitBishop]

You're brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank you.

[@carlossantana4108]

Oh. My. GOD. This song always gives me chills, and your version has improved on the original. I applaud you, sir!

[@TexasWench]

Beautiful. Done perfectly. No one brings these classics to life like you. Everything is as I remember, but infused with a polish that takes these pieces to another level.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was trying to accomplish.

[@ChampionElCid]

Found your albums on itunes. Bought both of them. Best Orchestration of Chrono Trigger that I've heard! Keep at it! I want to hear MORE!!!!

[@girafarig5370]

Woah. The quality is crazy, the sound delicious and the instruments : good choices ! Thank you, Malcom :3

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@TheAlorieth]

OMFG, TNX SO MUCH FOR MAKE THIS

[@juliusbelmont350]

Beautiful, faithful remixes by the way!

[@vksasdgaming9472]

"Black wind howls. One of you is sure to die. " That is how Janus introduced himself. Kind of appropiate that he would have two identities.

[@l1ghtd3m0n3]

It hits different when you're playing Chrono Cross and hear this theme again after finally getting the true ending.

[@shawnlaib8511]

The most beautiful song in any video game ever. Great rendition of it here.

[@joecastillo3480]

Brilliant! Thank you for this!

[@lordAgustin]

Your channel is everything I was looking for: an orchestrated version of the game with one of the best soundtracks ever which at the same times keeps the original feeling of the 16-bit song without adding too many touches of your own. It sounds incredible. I subscribed to you since I listened to your orchestration of wind scene. Keep up the good work!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thank you very much! Pretty soon I'll be finished my final Chrono Trigger track.

[@laurogoe1200]

Your versions are awesome, great translation of the original song

[@brazilpaes]

This is simple, beautiful.

[@PontusHultgren]

Beautiful work! Love the percussion

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks! I tried to make the percussion sound a little similar to the original, but not quite as ethnic.

[@JMESIX]

The black wind howls... One Among You... Will shortly perish..

[@johnsans534]

I wish I could play Chrono Trigger for the first time ever again.

[@Javedskyknight]

Oh yeah! finally a good orchestral version of this song!! wicked good! ♥

[@william7182]

Every sound track in this game is a master piece in its own right, unbelievable.

[@nikitogaming6353]

Man, you're too good at this :D

[@Flegan777]

Very lovely work. And here I thought I wouldn't expect to find another Schala mix so soon after buying the To Far Away Times album. :D

[@kokirikid817]

One of the greatest tracks ever put to the score of a video game

[@maverickhunterzero8637]

I absolutely love this remix!

[@Bugberry1]

Fabulous as always Malcolm!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks Richard!

[@Ilyak1986]

Ahhhhhhhhh! This is so beautiful! Too bad we could never recruit Schala into the party. She was such a wonderful character >w

[@RazielDark]

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

[@Juggalo972]

How did I miss this one!? Lol Great job again, Malcolm!

[@teknoblast2063]

Amazing work! I would get goosebumps every time I heard the 16 bit music in game, but this just blew me away. I kinda keeled over from nostalgia, remembering how young I was when I first played this and all the fond memories I have of the game. Again, fantastic work!

[@skeleben]

One of the few (maybe only?) versions of this song that actually gets the pitch bend to work on that melody. Everything flows so well, it really captures that proud yet wounded/lost feeling that Schala's theme conveys in the original.

[@deadcity9993]

Wow, this is outstanding

[@doscuramenos]

Beautiful!...

[@BashLiveCupcakes]

i remember you saying you were going to remix this track, and i've been looking forward to it since. needless to say, i was not disappointed in the least! it sounds even more amazing than i thought it would. i love how you got rid of the background chimes. i dont remember that in the original, but it sounds _awesome._ keep up the good work! looking forward to your next areangement.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks! I figured I had to do something different in the third loop to keep it interesting, so I turned off the chimes and percussion and it ended up sounding pretty good. I'm glad you liked it!

[@tribexen]

The black wind howls...

[@masterwriter2576]

One of the best I have heard.

[@HPmcDoogle]

Never played Chrono trigger. I've only heard a few songs. I stumbled on your channel, and after listening to a few of the original Chrono Trigger songs, then your orchestral remixes, i have to say, *man* they are good. Your rendition of Schala's theme is *so* good. I feel a palpable sadness listening to it. It kind of reminds me of Cosmo Canyon from FFVII.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks for the comment! I know what it's like to appreciate a good game soundtrack without having played the game. I really like the Chrono Cross and Xenogears soundtracks even though I never had a chance to play them. Anyway, I'm glad you like it!

[@konigeurichderwestgoten4460]

Her theme makes me feel as though I’m under water of some gentle pond or river, looking at the sunlight shimmering on top.

[@FFGAir]

This is truly special

[@thesourbrainedgamers2263]

Holy shit dude fucking phenomenal absolutely magnificent thanks for this man

[@nick6019]

Incredible

[@isaacherrera2639]

Man i remember playing lots of zombie games on old roblox and this theme will play as the end credits. miss the good old days on roblox with me and my close friend.

[@xaviera6300]

Amazing feeling it gives

[@TheManaTree]

Incredible...just...incredible.

[@isoonett3782]

I RELLY LOVE THIS

[@belluprime5807]

wow! splendid

[@WoobertAIO]

"His name is Alfador. Don't even bother, he only likes me."

[@FannyZQ]

I don't know what else to comment in your videos, i just love your work :'3

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment.

[@brothers_of_nod]

Took me a long time to comment, but this was absolutely beautiful.

[@SkyofMaster]

I'm so glad I subbed to you

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks for subscribing and listening to my stuff!

[@gideonhodge3723]

SkyofMaster didn't even think of that. subscribing now!

[@xtheamazingax]

Exquisite

[@A5Gold]

Masterpiece!!!!

[@ThisIsABadIdeaSrsly]

By far my favorite one

[@rooty]

What an amazing piece of music for such a non-character

[@amvsandopenings]

Very good job!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thanks!

[@probablyrobert9086]

The PlayStation 1 soundcard version of the soundtrack didnt age well, but I still consider the chrono trigher soundtrack among the best game OST's of all time. These recreations are a perfect testimony to that. These are beautiful

[@angelgirl976]

Every time I listen to this I keep asking myself how the bloody hell is this music so fricking good! Also I'm writing a tragic character for my own original novel and this song just fits so well.

[@RazielDark]

The feels are just overwhelming. T_T

[@vampire_catgirl]

When there's absolutely no hope, but somehow you find it anyway

[@nick6019]

This remix is legendary

[@nick6019]

Still legendary!

[@nicolasomarcastro7293]

The Magus' cat...😢😢

[@zev5809]

Nicolás Omar Castro i believe he went as Janus back then time.

[@tribexen]

Dont waste your time. Alfador only likes me.

[@fullflow1453]

Finally found the song wirtual uses :D

[@michaeldouglas8054]

very good

[@ancientshiv9837]

The Black Winds Howl One Among You Will Surely Perish

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

Dig the rhythm you added to this mix.

[@thombas8936]

now this is one good song

[@tubbymint]

the best track from CT

[@eseerianknight0386]

My favorite arrangement of this song (that is just this song, there are some that mix in Corridors of Time, Ocean Palace, etc.)

[@gmatixxx]

This game deserves a remake more than any other games ever did.