Password Screen | Chambers & Consoles: A Virtual Concert Series
15Password Screen
Mega Man 2 (1988)
Composer: Takashi Tateishi
Arranger: Jamin Morden
Original artwork: RadonKalmor https://www.artstation.com/radonkalmor
Audio editor: Jamin Morden
Video editor: Kevin Hollenbeck
Concert producer: Jasmine Marcelo
Arrangers' notes:
The soundtrack to Mega Man 2 is a masterclass in chiptune artistry that features bombastic action, outrageous basslines, impeccable percussion, and the most famous Wily Theme in the whole series. With all of these great tunes to choose from, the decision to arrange the music from the password screen may initially seem surprising. It harbors no relationship to the narrative, themes, or characters of the game; and without counting loops, it is roughly six seconds long. However, once you start listening it’s easy to forget the short length and repetition, and start thinking “whoa, this song is really good.”
Jamin Morden uses several tricks to elongate the tune and keep the listener’s interest throughout. Though the initial iterations are slow and contemplative (featuring the tempo marking “taking itself a bit too seriously”), this serves to contrast the buildup to the bombastic climax. By the time we hear a more or less direct transcription of the tune two minutes in, the piece has explored other modes and tonalities, featured all four of the different instruments, and has been played both arco and pizzicato (with and without the bow). Just before the tune fades away, we enjoy a brief “jam session” before finally ending quietly, just as it began.
“Password Screen” is performed by John Umble and James Tandaric on violins, Darrah Treleaven on viola, and Shelly Monroe on cello.
The Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra (WMGSO) is a nonprofit community orchestra whose mission is to share video game music by putting on affordable, accessible concerts in the D.C. area.
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Mega Man 2 Statistics For WMGSO
At present, WMGSO has 201 views spread across 1 video for Mega Man 2, and less than an hour worth of Mega Man 2 videos were uploaded to his channel. This is less than 0.07% of the total video content that WMGSO has uploaded to YouTube.