Retro game music with a baroque twist - played on the lute by Chris Hirst

[@pixelgoat7317]

Nostalgia attack! Especially Space Harrier, that ones a classic!

[@Quatrapuntal]

I know, always one of my favourite games. I remember seeing the moving chair version in the arcades and it seemed really advanced for the time, amazing that it's only 3 years after Burger Time the technology advanced so quickly.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

Wow! Wonderful playing and such a visually appealing video. I hope this becomes a series!

[@Quatrapuntal]

Thanks, I have done a few of film/TV music but not games before, trying to find new and different ways of using my instrument. Do you remember any of these games?

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

I’m familiar with everything except Space Harrier. :) My favorite Baroque inspired video game music was probably from the NES version of Willow. I’ve always enjoyed how the small number of available simultaneous voices on older systems required composers to think more horizontally.

[@MusicRoomWithFriendo]

@@Quatrapuntal I should also probably be a bit more specific on my Willow comment since there is so much music in it. The Zhena Theme and Nockmaar Castle music (which sounds quite similar to BWV 578) are the heaviest baroque inspired tracks. I highly recommend checking them out!

[@Quatrapuntal]

I don't know that one, I will check it out. Yes the early ones had 3 single line voices to work with, but amazing how fast the technology advanced when there was lots of money in it! Space Harrier is only 3 years ahead of Burger Time yet light years ahead in sophistication. You sat in a kind of booth with a chair that moved with the character, so a really immersive experience for 1985. I had a BBC home computer, so a bit limited on games (they had to be loaded off a cassette tape!) but loved these in the arcade.

[@russellharris5072]

Brilliant..............................

[@Quatrapuntal]

Thanks, are these games from your era?

[@Andres33AU]

Sounds incredible! I actually was searching for the Gauntlet theme played on a lute, and found this, and it sounds amazing. Thanks for the video!

[@Quatrapuntal]

Thanks, how come you were looking for that? A very niche search! Gauntlet was such an awesome game, I never got to play it with all 4 players at once which I'm sure would be great strategy, using each character's strengths and weaknesses at the right time.

[@Andres33AU]

@@Quatrapuntal No worries! I love video game music, and years ago I remembered someone did a guitar cover of Gauntlet's NES theme, and I recently was listening to Medieval inspired music (and some classical music), and was wondering if anyone covered Gauntlet on the lute, and I found this, hehe. Yeah I've never played any version of Gauntlet with four players at once, but it looks like a whole lot of fun!

[@simonnisbett3658]

Totally Brilliant! Genius idea! The second one works best I think. I like the tasteful rallentandos at the ends! Although sadly I don't recognise any of these games - my exposure to them was limited to what tabletop machine The Saracens Head in Amersham had in the early 80s. Frogger. Pacman of course. Memories are vague. Can't think why...

[@Quatrapuntal]

What not even Donkey Kong? That's a classic in anyone's book!

[@simonnisbett3658]

@@Quatrapuntal I merely dabbled. A guaranteed seat on a busy Friday night, and a place to put my pint, baccy and ashtray!

[@Quatrapuntal]

I guess if you are a certain age that you were a kid at the time these came out then they are more nostalgic, sounds like you were already in long trousers!

[@johnmurdoch8534]

Not enough likes, great stuff

[@Quatrapuntal]

Thank you my friend! Of course I agree, but that's the KZbin algorithm for you...

[@johnmurdoch8534]

@@Quatrapuntal if i may make a recommendation..id love to hear how tango would sound on a lute..por una cabeza or yira yira or something along those lines. Either way keep up the good work

[@ScottPenick]

Although I realize it's impractically difficult, in the back of my mind I was really hoping you'd hit the next section of the Gauntlet's theme that really goes off the rails. Regardless, great job! Really nice arrangements :)

[@Quatrapuntal]

I think in the original 1985 arcade game this is all there is as a title theme, every source I found has just this. Do you mean a remake or later version for a home platform perhaps? It's quite tricky to play just this bit, I'd be curious to hear if there is more. Awesome game, it was one of the first with multiplayer features.

[@ScottPenick]

@@Quatrapuntal Ah, interesting. the NES version of the game has a section of that track that just goes wild. 28 seconds in this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqm6Z2WZgNR7npI

[@williamchapman2134]

This is beautiful. Do what the pros do = P R O M O S M.