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Elden Ring composer Yuka Kitamura learned piano using Zelda songs

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Elden Ring composer Yuka Kitamura learned piano using Zelda songs

As a passionate gamer and music enthusiast, I find myself utterly captivated by the fascinating journey of Yuka Kitamura, the esteemed composer behind some of FromSoftware’s most iconic games. Her story resonates deeply with me as her love for gaming and music mirrors my own experiences growing up in the 90s and early 2000s.

It’s clear to observe the resemblances between The Legend of Zelda series and numerous FromSoftware games. My recollections of Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild often blend delightfully, creating a harmonious mental landscape. Interestingly, I discovered that Zelda music significantly influenced Yuka Kitamura, a frequent composer for FromSoftware, who has created music for Elden Ring (including its latest DLC), Dark Souls 1, 2, and 3, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Through a recent email conversation (translated for clarity), Kitamura shared with us during our special themed week on video games and music at TopMob FM, insights into her musical inspirations and her enduring passion for the Zelda series.

In your own words, could you share a memorable video game soundtrack or tune that sparked your interest in composing music for games? Could you describe the atmosphere it created for you and explain why this music had such an impact on you?

Yuka Kitamura: Growing up with video games in the ’90s and ’00s, I’ve been greatly influenced by numerous masterpieces from that era. My fascination with music led me to learn piano as a child, inspired primarily by the main theme of my all-time favorite game, The Legend of Zelda. Among these, Majora’s Mask was a title I spent considerable time on, and I found myself captivated by its worldview that intertwined so beautifully with the music.

In addition, these musical compositions from the Harvest Moon series, Golden Sun series, and Pokémon series have greatly impacted me as well.

The momentous melodies in certain games, often deeply emotional with just a few notes and measures, instantly tugged at my heartstrings, inspiring me to envision myself as a composer crafting similar tunes.

Could you share some insights about the composition of one of your songs, and discuss what inspired it? Was this inspiration drawn from video game soundtracks, other musical pieces, or perhaps something different entirely?

The main theme of Dark Souls 3 was inspired by the Bulgarian Chorus chord progression.

As a lover of all things artistic, I found myself captivated by its unique charm – a beauty that wasn’t just straightforward, but subtly shadowy and intriguing.

Is there anything else we should know about your approach to composing video game music?

In my work at FromSoftware, many have come to know my musical style. As a child, I was captivated by vibrant musical worlds, and I’ve always been drawn to them. I aspire to continue creating such music in the future. I am excited and hope that you will eagerly anticipate what’s to come.

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2024-08-11 18:18

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