Hollow Knight - City of Tears // Piano Cover

I think this might be the first time since I got my tablet where the sheet music simply defeated me. Even with my lightning fast swipes, I couldn't find enough time to lift my hand from the keys in this one without messing up lol. Printing it is!
I love this track but wow was it tricky to play, it took me so long to understand how to play that second half, that rhythm is really, really difficult! While practicing I felt like I was doing math at times. Terrifying, for me.
The sheet music I used is by Stoh, I'll link it in the comments, per usual! I made some minor changes, mostly in the second half where I simplified the right hand, but the music is pretty straightforward so I don't know if I should edit the sheet music specifically for how I play it? Let me know if that's something you'd want!
See you next piece!
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IG: / calikospiano
sheet music: musescore.com/caliko
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Hollow Knight OST by Christopher Larkin

[@Caliko]

sheet music I used, arranged by Stoh: musescore.com/user/5174461/scores/3659386

[@Fanchen]

This is the track that made me fell in love with the game. I remember sitting there just listening to the ost whilst admiring the grand openness of the underground city. Lovely arrangement!

[@Caliko]

Happy to see you here, Fanchen! Thanks for listening :)

[@rawadosa90210]

Dude you're that guy!

[@clay112]

Yeah this song is really good

[@RemiSoren]

Its not just younand me either , literal scores of us that stood where the three statues are dropped the pad and just listened , i cant put into words how it moved nooo EMBRACED my complete being id give anything too forget the game completely to feel that first time over

[@ElliotBouriot]

That's such a gorgeous cover ! I love how well you've kept the flow going, I can't imagine the level of control you must have to keep the background "chime" going at all times, it's impressive ! The rise in tone and power mid-way through sounds so good too, you've put the perfect amount of intensity :D Really good !

[@Caliko]

Thank you!

[@akauma9735]

You're literally the reason why I haven't given up on playing the piano

[@benfranklincatappleshark]

Ive watched countless videos of people doing this, and yours is the first that nails the timing consistently throughout the full first half. Well done!

[@moth_in_a_suit]

Playing: Gorgeous. Dog: Cute. I'm: Happy.

[@CarlosGarcia-dj8zd]

DOGGO!! And beautiful cover, its good to see you're still posting them here 💖

[@adamyohan]

I've never been so excited over a piano performance.

[@jnsvx]

Omg this brings back memories when I played the game, it’s so beautiful

[@izzydizzy9759]

I recently bought hollow knight (so please no spoilers! :)) as a long time ori fan i had to try it since everyone kept saying ori was so similar to hk and wow.. it’s even better than ori o-o The music is beautiful! This morning i reached the deepnest and it’s been really hard but pushing through! The music and the unraveling of the story is wonderful! I can’t wait to see what’s next :) this music really reflects the beauty that is the kingdom of tears, thank you! Edit: SPOILERS, i beat the Radiance! Woo! It only took two weeks ;-; but i did ittt! Hell yeah

[@AwesomeWookiee]

Hated pushing through Deepnest because it's so claustrophobic, but my goodness was it worth it!

[@soirema]

Ah yes, I went the other way around. I was so hungry for more after HK that I found other metroidvanias, and stumbled upon Ori 1 n 2, all amazing games!

[@6Xyzzy]

Did you finish it?

[@KiddKat]

Lovely, the dynamics are just wonderful. I'm now interested to the song

[@jbthekeeper2509]

Wow great cover, I absolutely loved the theme song for the area and the whole idea of a city locked up and all of it's inhabitants left to fend for themselves it's an amazing setting. Even though my first playthrough was a long LONG time ago now I still absolutely love this area, great job!

[@HHcz]

I've been seeing Hollow Knight everywhere lately. This cover is fucking amazing!

[@mossthebryophyter]

Easily one of the best songs from hollow knight. Love the cover!

[@RemiSoren]

Simply beautiful

[@yuniaamaya7472]

Aaaahhhh it's a really beautiful piece 😊 it really Jeep me chill while it's raining in my city, your interpretation is so pretty, thank you so MUCH, really. I was needing some confort, and your cover really made me feel better ♡

[@bri-notthecheese]

Ahhh my favorite song from Hollow Knight!!! Well done!!!

[@LiamBrownPianoCovers]

I haven't played seriously in a long time, but it's moments like this when I remember why I used to. Glad to see you are still creating wonderful things.

[@kisu928]

My favorite game and one of the most calming ost in it! Love your playing!

[@sungvin]

I like this game, its music, Stoh’s arrangement of City of Tears, grand piano and a dog on the background. Subbed!

[@PrimalInfinity]

This was so, so beautiful. Oh my god, you played it GORGEOUSLY. 😭😭

[@juanescobar9760]

Wonderful voicing, congtrats!

[@ninetailgaming7940]

Soooo beautifull I haven't even beaten the game but I remember this being one of my favorite song in the game and it feels like I'm playing it again with only the music perfect just beautiful

[@LazyTotodile]

What an absolutely beautiful rendition. Lost in the swells and the emotion and the doggo cameos--

[@Zaonite]

Caliko... I need this on a 10 hour loop. I love you and your music. So enchanting!

[@zzzzzz-44]

I recently finished Hollow Knight and was looking for piano covers; I was absolutely thrilled when I received this notification! Fantastic performance, I hope you consider doing other pieces from the Hollow Knight OST.

[@aisling9180]

!!! this is one of my All Time Favourite game pieces,, this is a gorgeous cover, thank you for inspiring me to finish this :"))

[@HouseHolderRecords]

Um... Wow. Just WOW!

[@DatReno8]

Great song, thank you so much for playing it, also the dog improved the video.

[@ash_ish]

This one definitely brought some feel good emotion in me back.. And this music is one of those rare one which you can put on loop and listen continuously (I may end up putting this one on loop) for so many hours 😅. Love the music. Discovering something new today thanks caliko. I may end up buy hollow knight just because of this. And hopefully that game has more music like this one. Thanks for this one, putting in favorite of yours and glad to see another upload. Forget to say hey hi hiyo 👀. I hope you are doing well... And so happy to see supervisor(doggito) was there too. Looking after you to make sure you are playing well 😂😍.. Oh forget to mention no tablet this time. And now I know the reason why after reading description... This one is definitely special when you have to pull back papers. 😏👀. Lastly C u in the next piece. Bai bai 😬

[@Caliko]

Always looking forward to your comments! Thank you for watching, all is well on my end :) Hope you're doing well too!

[@aramkhachaturian8043]

I loved this! It felt very light and calm with how the rythm plays into the melody. The right hand does the rythm motif while the left does the melody. This style of music reminded me of a recent composition by Wilhelm Duse called "Pulse". Listening to your style of playing I recommend you check out some of Vinland Saga's OST for solo piano. There are some with rythmic motifs similar to this with a melody on one hand, also with a very calm atmosphere yet with harmonies that make it interesting. In addition to this the way you phrase and slow down and tenuto certain notes I think would fit so well with the some of the music from Vinland Saga. Thank you for the video! I hope you are having a wonderful day.

[@elio564]

Nice, keeping this pace without a note falling out of tone is impressive! Do you like Hollow Knight? I didn't play it yet but I liked the Ori games and your covers from it :)

[@Caliko]

I haven't played it yet either! Even though I'm 99% sure I'm going to love it, seeing as I've played both Ori games through multiple times and I hear that everyone loves Hollow Knight if they liked Ori. I'll definitely play it eventually!

[@munkyz234]

That was so awesome! Thanks for posting!

[@settingscon]

beautiful control of the voices

[@llenastro5986]

i cant POSSIBLY imagine having to play this, just listening to that second half broke my brain. very pretty tho :)

[@0ysten681]

I LOVEEE THISSS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT BEFOREE

[@aloosh1375]

This was actually beautiful

[@gentlejello]

thank you for posting the sheet music!!!

[@lucasmichaudel1294]

Love it !

[@a_minisquiffy3426]

I love this song so much, and what a beautiful cover. Keep up the incredible work.

[@jiaweixu9498]

I was wondering if you would cover an ost from hollow knight the other day when listening to your ori cover. Annnnd here we go, beautiful performance on this cover!

[@moonlapsepiano]

Unreal ❤

[@michald.9573]

That's an amazing piece of music! :D

[@pablonoriega9477]

Really nice... i hope silksong will have also this masterpieces

[@tsaicookie1576]

喜歡你彈琴時的樣子，也驚訝於自己喜愛的遊戲音樂總是出現在這裡，hollow knight裡，到達City of Tears時有種說不上來空靈的感覺，在些許的哀傷之中又帶有希望的感覺，在左手不斷的反覆中接連實現，又像是一波波的海浪推涌向前。今年很高興能夠知曉Caliko的頻道，帶來許多美好的音樂與想像。

[@neosteeled001]

Big floppy ears! Nice cover by the way.

[@MrFredd38]

Beautiful!

[@lodewijk.]

Wowwww amazing job!!!

[@pianza]

What a pleasure listening to this performance 👌

[@purpleschala]

lol so funny my daughter and I just recently picked up playing this game again after we rage quit last year lol, it's so hard but the OST is gorgeous! Such a great arrangement of this theme and so beautifully played by you, as always!!

[@Caliko]

omg thank you!! I've been putting off actually playing the game, its difficulty sounds intimidating LOL

[@valerie_handani_pianist]

Wow. Beautiful performance, very nice sound!!👍👍

[@alicef7607]

Today I have begun to learn the Hollow knight collection in piano, and I see your video !! Coincidence ? Sure isn't it. I hope you'll do other covers of Hollow knight!

[@josef_belz519]

Can i make a call to the doggo coming to give support in middle of the video? Because Best!doggo knew what he was doing. :> Really good interpretation of the song you did here, keeping to the rythm and feeling perfectly, with the small edits you may have done going way over my ear. Overall, an explendid piece that keeps up with the high standards you have put to keep us fans satiated :D Good work resistend the death rays of summer sun, by the way :P

[@Paris-vr4oi]

Look it that dog hahaha so beautiful

[@maximianocoelho4496]

Your dog have tremendous good taste...he come running just to hear the tune.

[@XiaoTongPiano]

You need a page-turning pedal! Haha. I can see the summer's heat is right there, and Elliot was really behaving XD Such beautiful playing, so healing to listen.

[@Caliko]

I really do need that page-turning pedal 😂 And yes, it's been so hot and humid lately, almost Singapore weather here haha! Elliot can't deal with the heat either, that's why he's so calm Thank you for listening!

[@edgali]

got goosebumps around 1:30

[@FJSP]

I am enjoy your play ~

[@johnmichaelarellano9162]

Fantastic! Wasn't expecting Caliko to upload another one this month. I never get the hang of playing 2d games like hollow knight or Cuphead. They've always been difficult for me but games from From Software are my much easier,, weird. Don't mean to brag but elden ring is a cakewalk for me. Anyways, looking forward for more uploads. Hopefully these can be on a weekly basis now, no pressure. 😂👍

[@mysterwhymedia]

That’s interesting to hear. Both Hollow Knight and Cuphead are certainly worth your time if you can swing ‘em. I love both but still haven’t been able to beat Cuphead. That bumblebee boss has got my number so far. I dig this cover!

[@kallewiklund3952]

Beautiful cover! I'm always looking forward to your uploads, there's just something about them that sounds so especially nice (I'm especially looking forward to more of you own arrangements, I've been learning a lot of your Zankyou no terror medely and it's sooooo good!!) Can I ask what kind of equipment you use for recording? I've been thinking of recording my own playing to record my progress.

[@Yue117]

Very nice cover. The parts with multiple voices are nices, that must be hard to keep playing the same pattern so lightly and having a consistent sound. Too bad it's missing the part with the large arpeggios :p Greenpath is also very nice (my favorite of the ost)

[@-Lucas21-]

❤️

[@Normani_Code]

amooooooooo

[@tapxyh6369]

Здорово!

[@evexa]

you're beautiful!

[@joshsblee]

Silksong hype

[@ericmyrs]

If you're struggling with tablet swiping, I recommend a bluetooth foot pedal. They're reasonably priced, and work pretty well.

[@TheZuR21]

nice song, free sheet, awesome pianist what more do you need?

[@marcus6916]

Nice dog 😮

[@farisalthibani1270]

Oh

[@thiagopinheiro8689]

Se existir música mais linda de games que essa, por favor, me apresentem

[@angelolima4811]

This from the new hollow knight

[@seryyv0lk]

😢

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

Are you Edward from Full Metal Alchemist?

[@mzubuki]

Isaiah 55:7-11 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Read the KJV (although it is not a perfect translation) and pray for wisdom, pray without ceasing: don't go a day without it.