Darkness of the Unknown: A Kingdom Hearts Medley (Kingdom Hearts) - Fall 2023 Concert

Recording provided by Open Range Video and J-Tech Audio Visual. Audio mixed by Antonino d'Urzo.

Title: Darkness of the Unknown: A Kingdom Hearts Medley
Game: Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts III
Composers: Yoko Shimomura and Yasunori Nishiki
Lyrics: Yasunori Nishiki and Isaac Thomas
Arrangers: Isaac Thomas and Sami Louguit
Featuring: Jay Rana (Cello), Cynthia Xi (Violin)

“They can take your world; they can take your heart. Cut you loose from all you know. But if it’s your fate, then every step forward will always be a step closer to home.”

These words are spoken at the beginning of Kingdom Hearts III by Sora, the main protagonist of the series. The Kingdom Hearts series is a beloved crossover between Disney and Final Fantasy properties that follows the adventures of a boy named Sora who was chosen by the keyblade, a mystical weapon that has the power to open and close the hearts of both people and worlds. Sora must travel to different Disney worlds in order to seal the keyholes that guard each world’s heart and prevent them from being swallowed by the darkness. Although the series starts with a simple premise, it quickly grows into a narrative that describes the constant struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, and hope and despair. This medley is a reflection of that struggle, and includes the pieces “Distant from you...” and “L’Oscu- ritá dell’Ignoto” from Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance and finally “Forza Finale” from Kingdom Hearts III. The final piece is itself a grand medley of many of the previous boss themes spread throughout the series, and plays as Sora and his friends make their final stand against Xehanort and his allies, the ones responsible for the pain our heroes went through. In this life and death struggle, the outcome remains uncertain, but Sora must trust in the strength of his heart and the bonds he forged to prevail.

All that’s left is to press forward, and face the Darkness of the Unknown.

Full program from this concert: https://umd.gamersymphony.org/docs/co...

This piece was performed at our Fall 2023 Concert in Dekelboum Hall. Follow us on our social media platforms or visit our website to stay up-to-date on our latest events and performances!

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The Gamer Symphony Orchestra is a student-run symphonic orchestra consisting of more than 120+ musicians, including a full choir. Since our establishment in 2005, we have strived to promote video game music as an art form and to continue bringing video game worlds to life through orchestral arrangements - almost all of which are created by our own members.

For more information, visit http://umd.gamersymphony.org/