Bloodborne - Laurence, the First Vicar & Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, Performed by NJGSO

Bloodborne: The Old Hunters (2015)
Composed by Tsukasa Saitoh & Yuka Kitamura
Arranged by Peter J. Tom-Wolverton & A.C. Menes
Video Editor: Eli Obus
Audio Engineer: Bill Rouse
billrouseaudio...
Laurence, the First Vicar
“Fear the old blood… by the gods, fear it, Laurence.” So spoke Master Willem of Byrgenwerth College, and the scholar Laurence, even as he left the college, promised to remember this adage. But the temptation of the potential behind the old blood was more than Laurence and his cohort could ignore… and so they founded the Healing Church of Yharnam and spread the miraculous healing blood throughout the city, gaining power, prestige, and what they truly wanted: attention from the cosmos.
Laurence is an optional boss in the The Old Hunters DLC of Bloodborne. A curse has him trapped after death in the Hunters’ Nightmare, a realm meant to punish the blood-drunk Hunters of Yharnam. The music itself evokes a haunting atmosphere with a somber mood throughout the piece. The lyrics range from scholarly, thirsting for knowledge and the potential to surpass humanity, to scolding, repeating Willem’s warnings to fear the blood. In some ways, they form a prayer meant to honor the first Vicar of the Healing Church, while at the same time warning against his final fate… one of beasthood and flame. In the piece’s conclusion, there is a desperate ecstasy, as Laurence is depicted clinging to the blood as the one thing he can trust even as his soul falls apart from it. Listeners will notice the shrieking strings (and vocalists!) in a technique inspired by the orchestral works of Krzysztof Penderecki. A standout cello solo is a tragic moment of lucidity and relative calm before the tutti climax.
Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower
“A corpse... should be left well alone. Oh, I know very well. How the secrets beckon so sweetly. Only an honest death will cure you now. Liberate you from your wild curiosity.”
Of the many characters depicted in Bloodborne, Lady Maria is the most intriguing. She is consumed by guilt for a sin we, the player, are not yet privy to. In her story, a clock tower has been turned into a hospital/laboratory filled with desperate patients/subjects who willingly volunteered to undergo horrific experiments in a desperate attempt to communicate with the great beyond. However, this was not enough to assuage Maria's guilt, and she took her life at the top of the clock tower. Even in death, Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower is denied her peace and is determined to conceal the final secret of the Hunter's Nightmare from the player by any means necessary.
The music itself is an expression of Maria’s grief and suffering, with a distinctly gothic approach. Clarinets provide the main melody from the very beginning of the piece and weave in and out alongside the strings. As expected from a game with a horror-esque setting, the listener can expect a few “jump scares” with a sinister organ crying out in distress accompanied by wailing vocals. Though reflective of a tragic story, the music isn’t without its glimmers of hope; a standout moment of triumph echoes near the finale before fading out into a brief yet haunting solo from the contrabass clarinet. The famous Verdi Requiem served as an inspiration for this particular arrangement.
#vgm #njgso #orchestra #bloodborne #laurencethefirstvicar #ladymariaoftheastralclocktower

[@LunaLi17]

Fine I'll play Bloodborne again

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Finally, our master plan is coming to fruition! 😈

[@ahmedabdullah6779]

@@NewJerseyGSO Such an amount of insights you had to see this coming

[@NewJerseyGSO]

​@@ahmedabdullah6779👁️

[@mattiafasani7917]

I feel you

[@doggocapitano]

@@NewJerseyGSO grant us eyes, grant us eyes

[@UprisingGrand]

As someone who has performed both pieces, I already know how difficult it might’ve been to arrange for a choir and a full orchestra. The violins could’ve been a bit more impactful but quite an enjoyable performance.

[@oneandonlyoni-2816]

Was thinking of you when I found this, fancy seeing you here haha

[@yvesgomes]

@@oneandonlyoni-2816 Same!

[@AetigmaFacade]

A lot of them are sharp. Upper thirds. But yes I get it

[@Vargram1]

Fromsoftare single handedly revives classical music in the mainstream.

[@AidanGrovenor]

This is not classical music

[@radia9244]

​@@AidanGrovenor"this is not classical music": its literally classical music

[@whoshotsoda]

I was not expecting how smooth that transition was going to be!!! I am so so happy to see lady maria finally orchestrated on KZbin, excellent work!!!!

[@TecknoChris]

SameHere! i was searching so long for an video like this and finally!

[@maxiguidetti7228]

So glad to see the Old Hunters soundtrack getting some love! Praise the good music!

[@Reversi44]

Two of my favourite OST's in one Video, this could not have been more perfect. Thank you very much, NJGSO!

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Thank you for watching, good hunter!

[@Reversi44]

@@NewJerseyGSO Any chance of performance of Rellana from Elden Ring? And perhaps, Radahn, the Promised Consort OST

[@NewJerseyGSO]

​@@Reversi44While we can't confirm anything, I will say, you're definitely not the first person to bring up the possibility of Elden Ring music. 🤔

[@WeirdTroll666]

best ost in gaming probably, so good dude, Fear the old Blood! Oh Laurence..

[@Elder_Wyvern]

Ah The Lady Maria soundtrack, fav From Soft character and her soundtrack is just amazing, also the Laurence soundtrack always sends chills from 3:20 until the end, you just CAN FEEL IT.

[@JoestarEndeavor]

Lady maria of the astral clocktower is such a banger

[@onewingedgamer96]

I'm a simple man. I see Bloodborne I click then I play Bloodborne.

[@Indigopyro]

At first I thought someone was wearing the Mensis Cage but it was just the tuba.

[@seventheroot-r]

What insight can do to a person.

[@bruh-21]

1:02 I love how you can see the keyboard player keeping up with the measures

[@yY-fv8hj]

クラシック音楽と同じように、どれだけ時間が経っても遊ばれるゲームこそ本物のゲームだよ

[@JOHN5GINGER6]

Oh, majestic!!!!! Players are Players, even in a nightmare!!

[@KaolzenPOULET]

Oh my goood... Amazing ! Laurence gave me chills, it's my bloodborne's favorite soundtrack Lady maria was incredible too !

[@eltonmorato1192]

I've seen several live performances of those two songs, and none of them felt so unique. They were well arranged and performed. It's not perfect, but it is unique! For that, it deserves an 'A+' for everyone involved! Congrats, guys!

[@lionheart4424]

The arrangements are quite solid, great job! I LOVE some of the choral sections, like the last part of Laurence's theme. Also good job with the organ!

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Thank you so much for watching, and for your insights! :) 👁️

[@Inferryu]

This was nice, it has that "What the Bloodborne soundtrack would have sounded like in Demon's Souls" vive.

[@justinstevens7693]

This is giving me PTSD, but I absolutely love it.

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Yeah, those fights are absolutely bloody nightmares.

[@venatormoonlight]

Bloodborne is still worthy!!!

[@pepetrolltuber3228]

Absolutely majestic performaance. The score selection was just perfect as well

[@laurents4015]

That's probably the most action the cymbalist ever had ! LUL

[@joaopedroalmeidacaetano1619]

HOLY SHIT, ABSOLUTE CHILLS

[@hago66]

Violins at 2:25 gave me chills. Amazing concert!

[@FrostiNut]

Now I'll patiently wait for Ludwig's theme

[@the_scientist548]

Just defeated Laurence the first vicar on NG+ I thought I leveled up properly but my a** was being handled properly instead 😂

[@NewJerseyGSO]

To paraphrase a cartoon fish: 🎶 Just keep dodging, just keep dodging 🎶 (But seriously well done)

[@LilOunce]

4:00 Absolute chills

[@lk4864]

Flat, wrong octave, wrong tempo and they aren't synchronized.

[@baimer5588]

@@lk4864🤓☝️

[@vdmxcix]

Now after whatched this i have +10 ingisht

[@mojy_ariyan]

"Tonight Gerhman joins the Hunt"

[@marciocouto3543]

Behold! A Paleblood sky!

[@TecknoChris]

Im so glad that this video exist! Thank u soo much!:)

[@Leonida_Arts]

Love the subtitles, I'm joining your chant guys!

[@JEWong47]

No words. Just incredible

[@dizzykrogan]

No, i think there’s words. Don’t know what they are saying though.

[@NewJerseyGSO]

​@@dizzykroganYou'll understand after a few eyeballs, don't worry about it

[@galaxyplayer]

Why am I crying ?

[@uttifrutti-i3d]

How can I (we, the bloodborne addicts) get this in the finest quality to listen to? Also; can you please keep on translating this beautiful stoundtrack to the stage.. Wow.. breathtaking

[@ABYSYAL]

I LOVE THIS, Maria’s OST has to be my favourite out of all the fromsoft OSTS

[@fata__morgana]

Beautiful execution! Goosebumps everywhere 👏👏

[@Rafterz]

This is really good

[@thegreatbidoof2483]

phenomenal.

[@NBL123]

I hope someday you can bring Cleric Beast and Living Failures, those are such Bangers too. Awesome job!

[@nunoosorio3832]

They're celebrating the progress on PCSX4

[@HollowPhntm]

What a wonderful performance by the whole orchestra! Slight critique I have though is that the choir does seems drowned out at the start, but I’m sure it’s just due to the recording and YT video compression(it would most likely sound awesome in person)! 👏🏼😲

[@TerrorOMEGA]

excelent performance, i loved it!

[@yoss3475]

The sky and the cosmos are one.

[@AbdullahMohammed-vd8ni]

Ludwig maybe?

[@travissalimvgm4437]

Thought about it. -The bass drummer in this video

[@AbdullahMohammed-vd8ni]

@@travissalimvgm4437 you don’t gotta man just recommending

[@Icaruss-w5w]

amazing!!

[@Apfelsine78]

Amazing work by everyone involved 👏

[@micolashcarc]

I´m crying.

[@apolloisnotashirt]

Its all over my screen 😩

[@altodapuya]

what the

[@teosaka5540]

That was beautiful...

[@LordShrek13]

lawrences theme doesnt hit the same without the really low voices but the live orchestra was beautiful, it has original demons souls vibes

[@AetigmaFacade]

“….some things are better left untouched…”

[@Just_a_normal_bucket]

Ptsd for laurence bro, Came back with a +10 kirk hammer and still got elegantly slapped like he was saying "come back another time"

[@Eleonoretg]

Thanks !

[@jeosue5455]

Absolute Music

[@0num4]

Brilliant.

[@noahpencherek1058]

One of my favorite game

[@АлександрСнитковский-ю4м]

That's wonderfull. I would be the happiest person ever if i'll hear Ludwig the Holy Blade theme

[@AstoriaKleinkalversberg]

Wow Gänsehaut ❤❤

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

great job and all, but ya know, almost every video-game concert from anywhere that I see, the choirs are NEVER big enough hahaha They just get drowned out or seem a not quite substantial/epic enough xD but great work nonetheless

[@acmenesmusic]

Why don’t you join our choir then? :)

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@acmenesmusic would that i could hehe

[@artmifo]

Finally, people are programming Lady Maria, which is imo the best piece among all the Souls music! Some interesting arrangements right there (the cymbals are waaaay too loud, though)

[@NewJerseyGSO]

I guess you could say there's a lot of cymbalism. 😎

[@ricardorocha5420]

Majestic! ❤

[@Derian_De_Grey]

Забавно. Наконец-то они смогли быть вместе. Хотя бы в виде их музыкальных тем. Символично.

[@18supasinwongjuntip63]

PLEASE DO LUDWIG THE HOLY BLADE PLEASE PLEASE 🙏🙏🙏🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🐴🐴🐴🌕🌕🌕

[@Jenny-bruh]

This is so good best cover Pls do ludwig i will support

[@BryanRamirez-i3q]

Esto realmente epico

[@matthewsullivan2528]

One note, Lawrence is in a faster 3. The violins are the tell and the conductor is going in the slowest 4 for what's going on. That's why the orchestra is pressing the tempo and they're out of time for a while. The time signature doesn't make sense them.

[@argirissgr4448]

My insight points in this music raised by 14

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Oh good, finally someone else can see Craig! Hahaha :) (r u n)

[@pingamalinga]

Well done. Joy gesture

[@AetigmaFacade]

05:00 the point you where all waiting for!..

[@ぺろすけ-c6h]

素晴らしい… May the good blood guide your way.

[@alexgatica3125]

Que nos guíe la buena Sangre!!!!....Brutal!!!!

[@faultomaton]

The Promissed Consort please!

[@NewJerseyGSO]

👀 ⚔️ 🐎 We'll see, we'll see

[@Medicalguy]

@@NewJerseyGSOGoing to need some real range in your Baritones with that one.

[@NewJerseyGSO]

​@@MedicalguyWe have a lot of confidence in our ranged DPS--I mean Baritones :)

[@Noizzed]

​@@NewJerseyGSO Promised Consort would be amazing!

[@Alfred_bb]

No fucking way 😢

[@thegreatcornholio2941]

Absolutely magnificent performance!! I am curious however, as both a Latin student and a FromSoft nerd, how did yall transcribe and have the choir sing the lyrics? We have gotten official lyrics for both Ludwig’s and Laurence’s theme but not yet Lady Maria. I’ve strained my ears listening to the official OST and have not fully made it the lyrics myself. Just curious how yall did to perform it so beautifully! May the good blood guide your way!!

[@Scintilla]

I can speak to Laurence! We used lyrics originally posted by a Latin scholar that were claimed to come from one of the game's sound producers; they sounded more accurate, and made a lot more sense, than any other lyrics we could find given what we know of Laurence's story. (Though I had to put in the program notes that FromSoft sacrificed proper Latin grammar in favor of what sounded cool. I mean, "sanguin_e_ sanct_um_"?) I'm not sure about Lady Maria, but I do know there was a lot of back and forth on that one since there seemed to be no single definitive lyrics source we could trust.

[@acmenesmusic]

In terms of Lady Maria, I used a few sources across the internet that I could find. I did adapt some of the lyrics further to make them easier to sing. It was definitely challenging figuring out the lyrics here but I hope what I came up with is close!

[@old_boy9030]

I hope some day you guys could cover "Queen of the Vilebloods", and Demon Prince from DS3. Two underrated tracks, although the Bloodborne songs boss is locked behind the chalice dungeons. Good job!

[@bluewings2]

Such beauty ! Bloodborne OST is very dear to me, and it's such a joy to see this live performance. Is it possible to find the full transcript of Lady Maria song ?

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Hey, thanks for listening! We're definitely working on getting that done, the person handling the transcription is also working on arrangements for future concerts, but it's absolutely on the way.

[@Atiimadh]

i would love to see Father Gascoigne’s theme “the hunter”

[@abelturner2999]

This is absolutely incredible. Is there a place I could download your astounding music?

[@acmenesmusic]

Hi I’m the conductor for this group and I want to say thank you! We don’t have music available for download yet but you can continue to listen to our music here on KZbin! We have more tracks we recently uploaded from our latest concert.

[@hollowknight6438]

Re installing Bloodborne as I watch

[@vladdracul8827]

A corpse should be left well alone.

[@paoloreyes8582]

Laurence fue mi último jefe en todo Blodborne... y cuando lo mate en mi intento 130 mi satisfacción fue muy grande

[@Shakhmatov_GAMES]

quite good, a little out of tune in some parts but it's a very good performance 👏🏻

[@muhanifrafiahmadi1146]

Ludwig the holy blade pls

[@ThidtheSloth]

Very impressive! I don’t know how many people you were able to do this with, but it could definitely have used more strings and brass, especially on Laurence’s theme. Still sounds good though!

[@BryanRamirez-i3q]

4:55 Lady Maria

[@bepkororoti8019]

Is it me or did they have problems hearing each other on stage? The pitches are on spot when the keyboard accompanies prominently but when it's not present the brass sound a bit off, the strings as well. No shade, live performance is always a challenge especially with this many participants and all the chromatics in the pieces, just wanted to know if it's just me hearing things?

[@augurofnyarlathotep5051]

I agree, especially with the Lady Maria part. I feel as though the transition from Laurence to Maria may have thrown them off, with the awkward key signature and tempo change. Live performances are like that of course, and I’m very impressed with it.

[@Ἐπίκουρος13]

The lyrics of Maria's ost are incomplete 😭

[@NewJerseyGSO]

We're super sorry about that! One of our team members is working on transcribing it and adding it to the video, but they have also been working on arrangements. Stay tuned!

[@shentastico7525]

Good job! well done indeed. One question, could it be possible to know what are the full lyrics that the chorus use for "Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower"?

[@aryaeliadel3094]

i found some in the fandom wiki : Vena horto da miserita seca dones Vita agita, maledictus Venite venare natu bestia sera Liberas impii mi sanguine Male malis maledictus Venator titules regina infans sanguine Maledicta Natu sanguinis a altu miserite Tu sanctis ob nobolili vita nominemos E o regina o diva sanguine Vena miserita tua a tu verita

[@d-rabbitfor5398]

​@@aryaeliadel3094 these are most definitely fake

[@soltonali69]

This Is Amazing ..... Maybe This Would Remind Sony That Such Game Exists

[@JergingOff]

fantastic, have you guys consider covering osts from the game blasphemous ? it has some amazing osts

[@NewJerseyGSO]

Thanks for listening! I'll go check those out, we're always down to listen to more awesome VGM!

[@rphfr]

Maria didnt have the full lyrics ? 😢

[@NewJerseyGSO]

S o o n (We're just transcribing them, we gotchu ;))

[@rphfr]

@@NewJerseyGSO wow i'm can't wait for that ! Thanks

[@NewJerseyGSO]

​@@rphfr😎 👉👉

[@greiratlord8942]

the song pretty good and PC when ?

[@altodapuya]

it is already on pc

[@quentinexus]

Too bad Laurence's theme is played half a step lower 😢

[@arthurmarques5786]

Amazing symphony but not enough male voices for Lawrence ost

[@nashhash2380]

I can't understand why people there film with their phones instead of enjoying it

[@dizzykrogan]

People who major in music theory be like “its a bit bland, a little shallow butt it’s ok”

[@Vayhef]

fUCK no we wouldn't say that

[@dizzykrogan]

I’ve seen it before

[@Vayhef]

@@dizzykrogan whoever that was lost the plot

[@travissalimvgm4437]

Don't talk about my butt like this.

[@Steepstar11]

Фальшивят жёстко ребята)))

[@niemaszglowy]

OK no offense but this sounds like temu version of these themes xD The original ones are just perfect.

[@razmossis]

Poor