Mechonis Field - Xenoblade Chronicles (viola/piano arrangement)

HELLO HELLO HELLO EVERYONE! Sorry for the three month hiatus, was working on some personal projects, went through a Scriabin phase and had to learn the fifth sonata, and also focused on some dream collaboration projects I'd been putting off, like this one!! First, I know I desperately need more Xenogears/Xenosaga/Xenoblade covers on my channel because I adore those games. This is my absolute FAVORITE field theme in Xenoblade 1, to accompany my LEAST favorite area in the game lol, and it had been in my head a LONG time to try to pick it out on piano. Which is a ridiculous notion if you've heard the original, which is synth heavy and electronica and all that. But because I love synths as much as I love pianos and spent many years in my youth picking out Axel F and every Depeche Mode song on a 15-key Casio PT100 lol, I also had a feeling it MIGHT be able to work, since the backbone of synth-driven songs is a constant treble ostinato and a funky bass. Also it wouldn't be me if I didn't try to shoehorn a non-piano song for piano lol.
Anyways, so what you're listening/watching here is the culmination of a harebrained musical idea I started picking out late one night many months ago, refined over the course of a few months. I arranged it for viola and piano, because animevivi is forever my partner in crime for everything Xeno. The piano part is just me and my two hands on one track, no layering, because i wanted to keep it true to my classical training. There are two viola lines (maybe three?) lol
I am REALLY thrilled with how this turned out! It's a huge departure from but i feel it still conveys the essence of the original, despite lack of drums and many awesome synth tracks. Most of all I'm proud that we pulled off the only acoustic cover of Mechonis Field in existence lmao. I hope you guys enjoy!!
(ALSO SPOILER WARNING EVEN THOUGH IT'S NEARLY A TEN YEAR OLD GAME JUST SAYING THERE ARE HEAVY SPOILERY CUTSCENES IN THE VID)
Huge thanks to:
Animevivi for viola and mixing and making fancy thumbnail: / animevivi
Helsionium and Kyle Blane Plays for the use of game footage and cutscenes (someone's gonna have to give me the tutorial on how to main Melia omg)
/ helsionium
/ kyleblaneplays

[@thekiss2083]

One of the best Xenoblade themes!! I love it

[@purpleschala]

AHHHH THANK YOU!!!!!

[@animevivi]

I would like to thank the ACE+ for making the lowest note of the piece open C. It's like they were writing for viola LOL! Thanks so much for arranging and having me! I love how it turned out too ^^ (And yeah I think everything can technically be played with two viola lines!)

[@purpleschala]

LMAO IT'S LIKE THEY KNEW ONE DAY IT WAS GONNA GET A VIOLA COVER

[@bennybenny8312]

Underrated KZbin channel. Needs more views

[@greatlife1047]

Xenoblade Chronicles is an underrated game. It needs more people playing the game. But yeah. This channel makes this song very beautiful in Viola and Piano.

[@goldman77700]

I see Xenoblade I like.

[@DuoBeard]

I really wish more people played this game, one of my all time favorites Great job guys this was amazing

[@purpleschala]

thank you so much!!! I agree, i mean to be fair I hated it at first and rage quit many times until midway through i was like omg this is amazing and i love this hahaha

[@DuoBeard]

purpleschala - I remember you tweets about the game, looks like you were having a blast later on XD

[@jordanparker6771]

There are a stunning lack of renditions of this theme on YT - yours is wonderful and really captures the feel of the original piece. Amazing work!

[@purpleschala]

AH thank you thank you so much, that makes me so happy to hear!!!!!!

[@jordanparker6771]

@@purpleschala So glad you did! Also, so glad to hear there may be more Xeno* on the horizon :D

[@purpleschala]

@@jordanparker6771 oh for sure, i mean, I am way overdue on the xenogears stuff, i'm replaying xenosaga right now, and pretty much arranging the entire Torna TGC soundtrack aksjhdfskdhk lollllll it's just all so good!!!

[@chase6902]

Wow! So amazing! What's suprising to me is that with the viola when main melody starts it sounds very similar to the Agniratha theme.

[@naokikashima8054]

This is beautiful. Also, big respect for playing as Melia.

[@purpleschala]

ahh thank you!!!! and that's not my gameplay footage, it's Kyle Blane Plays (link in description)! I could never get the hang of Melia but the people who know how to use her easily wipe the floor with her and I need to know how they do it lol. Sharla was always my main because the AI just didn't heal me enough when I needed it lol

[@GRAG3R]

Hi, Ocracks and I love your stuff. To death. Your collabs with animevivi are the best things on earth OK. Every single Xeno cover is amazing. I can only hope your channel continues to grow. :)

[@purpleschala]

ahhhh man you guys are the best!!!!!!

[@XIMCentral]

This theme, the colony 9 night one and satorl march are the best ones in the whole game imo! Great performance and thanks a lot for covering this one, it hardly gets any love!

[@pesky2119]

Central Factory and agniratha?

[@RahulVanamali]

Hooooolllyyyy cow I just came across this, what a fantastic arrangement! When I heard this track I thought it'd be such a huge challenge for anyone for anyone to do an acoustic version, but I should've known if anyone would do it, it would be you haha

[@XIMCentral]

By far one of the best tracks in the whole Xenoblade soundtrack! Great arrangement btw, you two did an awesome job!

[@purpleschala]

OMGGGGGG THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!!! this cover is literally one of my proudest achievements like, ever AHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@ZoharEmulator]

Been waiting for this since you mentioned it on twitter a few months ago, sounds GREAT!

[@purpleschala]

awww thanks so much man!!!! really appreciate the kind words!!

[@a.maxime]

Guys, this is perfection!!

[@purpleschala]

OMG!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!

[@theturtle5179]

Very beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[@purpleschala]

thank you so much!! I'm particularly proud of how this came out, so that means a lot!

[@ChrismanTheGreat]

I've missed your music so much! It's so great to have you back on KZbin making covers again.

[@purpleschala]

awwww thank you!!!!!!

[@domodepiano]

*dopeness detector entered the chat ... ... ... much dopeness detected

[@purpleschala]

HAHAHAHA thanks so much man!!

[@domodepiano]

@@purpleschala yes on relisten it sounds like a bugger --ok kind OT but you have to watch/listen to this [Martin Jones is a gem and like J Biegel, a champion whiz w modern lit],this Bulow piece is worth listening exploring, so many of the devices our VGM composes use can be heard in the various mish mash of motives and themes used in this work, it blew me away, I think you'll dig given our similar aesthetics and sensibilities for music post 1910...please watch this ket me know your thoughts kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWavlKisebV6iNU

[@purpleschala]

@@domodepiano DUDE OMG you always have such great suggestions and this was no exception, this was literally such a great way to start my morning!! It has that neo-classical rhythmic Carl Vine kinda vibe and around the 3:24 minute mark, it got just seriously downright beautiful. THANK YOU FOR THIS i've never heard of Bulow before but with all those ASCAP awards it's no wonder he's a force to be reckoned with. Incredible performance as well. I gotta go through and check all your other suggestions, I'm sorry for not getting around to them earlier!!!

[@domodepiano]

@@purpleschala any time! Vine is soooooo great I know! This Chap was a new discovery for me too, completely agree with your assessment!!! I had to correct a typo in my comment and it took your heart sticker away from the reply lol :-( -- will keep I. touch/keep you posted , I think via comments prob the best way lol on other interesting thises and thats I come across , I need to practice more my uploading is stale , need to work on some stuff to post asap but in the meantime we are always exploring right?

[@domodepiano]

@@purpleschala ok one for the road This album has Bulow's 12 Fingers, however DO listen to Russell Woolen's Berceuse , that was a total yummy surprise kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_lBuaW1BkuS4_oD20sX2hC_kVK-XvIzyrA

[@Sundel_Marlutte]

Very nice cover, I love this song and area in the game, nice work

[@purpleschala]

Sundel thank you so much! So glad you liked it!! ❤️

[@Tohlemiach]

Talk about harebrained, this is definitely one piece I never imagined I'd hear on the piano. Yet somehow, once again, it's unbelievably perfect, and the violin mixes perfectly.

[@purpleschala]

HAHAHA!!! Thank you so much, i'm glad you thought it worked too. that means a lot. =)

[@Tohlemiach]

purpleschala no, thank you! I can't get enough of Xeno music, so your channel is a godsend. Also thanks for all the FFT covers! No one ever talks about the music for that game but I've never come across anything as complex and intricate in a game soundtrack, and the arrangements you play are absolutely stunning.

[@purpleschala]

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT!!!! CRIES FOREVER i love love looooove FFT and Sakimoto in general and it's just been my youtube mission to give it the best treatment I possibly can since Square can't be bothered lol. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE. it would be my dream if Hamaguchi decided to arrange Tactics for piano!!!!!

[@Tohlemiach]

purpleschala one can only hope lol. Until then, keep it up!

[@HumorHabit]

WOW I was unfamiliar with this theme(unfamiliar with Xenoblade music in general) beforehand but man what a great song and masterfully put together arrangement! I went on a journey through this song! The rhythmic ostinato in the right hand kept me grounded the whole time while the awesome left hand was leaping around with cool powerful sounding basslines. Really awesome at the climax with the two violins, so many layers going on in the piano playing alone! I am floored this sounds so cool! Wonderful arrangement I am impressed and inspired!

[@purpleschala]

AHHHHH!!! YOU'RE TOO KIND OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING!

[@RhythmAndRelenia]

Gorgeous performance. Never played pass the first hour of Xenoblade 1, so missed out on much of its music, but I enjoyed this track much. Well done! :)

[@purpleschala]

The Rhythm And Relenia Games thank you so much!!!! And yes understandable I rage quit on that game so many times lol but if you find the time to pick it up again it’s worth it. Thanks again 😀

[@keeysOST]

You should really consider finishing the game, it's a great experience. Compared to xenoblade x, it doesn't take much time to get into it.

[@Turbovolver]

Just incredible. Wonderful stuff.

[@purpleschala]

thank you so much!!!!! I'm particularly proud of how this one came out hahaha. I'm so glad you like it!

[@Melchiorblade7]

Welcome back! Love your take on this theme :)

[@purpleschala]

AHHH THANK YOU MELCHIOR

[@ExtroDynamiz]

Oh my...been waiting for you to drop the Mechonis Field theme to add to your already awesome Xenoblade playlist!

[@purpleschala]

ExtroDynamiz awww thank you!!!! ❤️ I hope you liked it!!!

[@ExtroDynamiz]

purpleschala Very much so... both you and the violinist did an exceptional honor to this amazing track - it’s so amazing. :)

[@paulf5424]

As a viola player this makes me so happy :D Is there sheet music anywhere?

[@Duhemsounds]

Looks like we have a new beautiful piece here =3

[@purpleschala]

thank you so much

[@ascetic3312]

And a wild Animevivi appears! Great job, guys.

[@purpleschala]

thanks dude!!!!

[@RiftFishing]

Soooo good. You've got yourself another sub. Love it.

[@purpleschala]

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANDREW!!!

[@cristobalgonzalez9254]

Me encanta la musica que hacen, tienen mucho talento, You are awsome.

[@purpleschala]

thank you!!!!!! =)

[@drunyon214]

Love this song and game! Great arrangement! I had to show this song to my girlfriend, I love it so much :)

[@purpleschala]

AHHH!!!!! Thank you so much!!! so glad you liked it!

[@versusedge]

Clever, as usual!

[@purpleschala]

haha thank you!

[@SirTelias]

Excellent playing! Piano and Viola is such a good combination!

[@purpleschala]

thank you!!! and I couldn't agree more!

[@johnfenske7764]

very awesome! such a great game and this arrangement is excellent!

[@purpleschala]

THANK YOU JOHN!!!! it is such a great game oh man. one of the best jprgs I have played in recent memory. such a great OST too.

[@furymasterzero7381]

So cool! Always suprised by your talent and passion for great music.

[@purpleschala]

AHH thank you so much!!!!

[@sebaschan-uwu]

Simply amazing

[@purpleschala]

OMG THANK YOU!!!!!! 😭😭😭😀😀

[@andresgutierrez9827]

Awesome performance!!

[@purpleschala]

thank you!!!!!

[@TheHardModes]

Great arrangement and lovely playing, guys! Hadn't heard this tune before, but it definitely lends itself well to an acoustic performance--perfect choice!

[@purpleschala]

AHHHH THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PianoGameKnight]

Really fantastic job y'all two :)

[@purpleschala]

THANK YOU JIMMY!!!

[@marcoasturias8520]

Omg so beautiful

[@purpleschala]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! this is one of my most favorite arrangements that I've ever done.

[@user-or5yf1rw4n]

Hey you're still alive! And as talented as ever I see!

[@purpleschala]

R2 hahaha yes still here!! 😀 and thank you!!

[@MarkCerqueira]

Amazing job!

[@purpleschala]

thank you!!!!

[@darkknight072]

The Xenoblade Series has such great tracks (yes, even X). It's insane. Literally some of the best JRPG tracks of all time. I need to check out the Xenosaga series soon.

[@purpleschala]

agreed, it was actually the music that drew me to play Xenoblade 1! Xenosaga has amazing music too, Mitsuda and Yuki Kaijura, can't go wrong with those two

[@Polyhat_]

Perfect! I love that you changed the style but remained incredibly faithful with the harmony and melody - did you transcribe the track yourself? 😄

[@purpleschala]

thank you!!! and yes i did! no choice because no sheets exist lol. that is, at the time i transcribed it back in october or whenever. that might have changed since (hopefully).

[@GreenEvanJ]

You guys kept shit too real here fuck yeah you did. Thanks!

[@ryanshaw9301]

Incredible!

[@purpleschala]

Ryan Shaw thanks so much!!!! 😀

[@katherinegarcia7303]

I'm here from Spotify. Love your work!

[@purpleschala]

awww thank you so much Katherine!!!! thank you for listening to my stuff!

[@meriaxeno5272]

やっぱ神曲だ

[@ben5424]

Fantastic.

[@purpleschala]

flint 617524 thank you so much!

[@jonasfassbender984]

Bionis has instumental, Mechonis has electronic tracks. This is like if the two swiched, it's amazing!

[@purpleschala]

AHH THANK YOU!!!!!!!! yes! i absolutely LOVE that about the xenoblade OST, like the further in the game you get and closer to the Mechonis it gets more EDM and i never thought of us as doing the opposite but you're absolutely right hahaha!

[@esunaluna]

A B S O L U T E F U E G O

[@EscapadeFTW]

Excellent arrangement of one of the best pieces from this game. Would love to see you do Agniratha (day or night); it's fairly simple but so beautiful.

[@purpleschala]

Thank you!!!! and I did do Agniratha--or should I say we did Agniratha, kind of lol--i arranged it a while back for strings and piano and there's a rehearsal vid on my channel but we always joke that Agniratha is cursed lol, we can never get a nice clean recording of it.

[@PhoenixPinion]

Woow Nice!!! Love it

[@purpleschala]

thanks man!!!!!

[@JJJSmit9026]

I feel like my best possible description for this would be "if Mechonis Field played on the Bionis".

[@purpleschala]

LMAOOOO!!!!!!! YESSSSS!!!

[@TigerNightmare]

Excellent. Please pass my praise to the twins.

[@purpleschala]

TigerNightmare LMAO NOTED

[@mumkhar7892]

Nice one

[@purpleschala]

thanks man!

[@mumkhar7892]

purpleschala i absolutely adore XC, it’s one of the best games, the music and the story are wonderful

[@mumkhar7892]

purpleschala could you play „Vision Reacts“ or the night version of Agniratha?

[@melchizedekpsj]

Cool!

[@purpleschala]

thank you!

[@melchizedekpsj]

@@purpleschala You're welcome!

[@tomo-ww2bs]

楽譜はどこで買いましたか？

[@majia]

Excellent job!!!

[@purpleschala]

thank you so much!!!!!!