Austin Wintory's Themes are Simple, but Sophisticated

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Austin Wintory has been banging out some of the most acclaimed soundtracks in video games over the last 10 years: Journey, Abzu, and The Banner Saga trilogy just to name a few. I took a look at these and a couple other of Wintory's past soundtracks to try and break down how he constructs what is arguably the most important part of a soundtrack: the main theme.
Austin Wintory's channel: / awintory
'As Noted' series, featuring the scores for a bunch of Wintory's pieces: • As Noted
Other RU-vid videos about Wintory's writing that you might enjoy:
'The Story Hidden in Journey's Soundtrack': • The Story Hidden in Jo...
'Theme Breakdown with Austin Wintory' (about Erica's theme): • Theme Breakdown With A...
Austin Wintory BAFTA interview: • Games composer Austin ...
Crafting the Ocean in the Music of ABZU (ft. Austin Wintory): • Crafting the Ocean in ...
PATREON: / 8bitmusictheory
TWITTER: / 8bitmusictheory
NOTEBOOK: www.themusiciansnotebook.com/...
DISCORD: / discord
#Composition #videogamemusic #musictheory

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30 окт 2020

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Комментарии : 292

@awintory 3 года назад

Good lord, I am beyond speechless. Been a fan of this channel and your insights for a while and was totally blindsided by this today. At a loss for words on how to respond except to say an effusive THANK YOU for the care and attention you put into this video. It is an honor I hope to even fractionally deserve

@8bitMusicTheory 3 года назад

The fact that you watched the video at all means so much to me that I don't really know how to process all the kind words on top of that! Thank YOU for the incredible body of work you've put together!

@quantumfifteen5679 3 года назад

Everyone loves each other in this instance. My internet heart is warmed. (Also, big fan of both of you, I'll quietly let you to it)

@alexchacon778 3 года назад

Austin, it's good to see you being endlessly gracious with fans, as always! I've also loved getting to see (or hear) you on Play, Watch, Listen every week! I have a long drive to play organ every weekend and you guys make it much easier to get up on Sunday morning :)

@Hyperventilacion 3 года назад

I didn't know you worked on Syndicate, I'm buying it just because of that! I first heard your music in the Banner Saga and went into a very wagnerian dive into brass music, no regrets. I'm glad we have this kind of talent working in videogames!

@EllaEllaEh 3 года назад

The Journey soundtrack gives me chills. I played the game a few years ago and was just left sobbing during the credits. I bought the sheet music to “I Was Born for This” in the hopes that my harpist friend and I could do a collab. Stunning!

@adamkilbo7975 3 года назад

I can't stop laughing at the notation "still 7 harps going hard"

@nepunepu5894 3 года назад

sometimes you need to make sure those 7 harps always going hard

@andreshuertas8642 3 года назад

What's that game with the whales

@simonvetter2420 3 года назад

@@andreshuertas8642 Abzû

@JenkemSuperfan 3 года назад

His notation jokes are fucking hilarious they just creep up on you

@kamithesnom 3 года назад

gotta love notation, I have had some fun ones lol

@cjoduse95 3 года назад

A few years ago, the Ithaca College Gamer Symphony Orchestra was doing music from Journey when I was in the violin section. We reached out to Austin who allowed us to use the official arrangement of Apotheosis in our concert. AND he even visited us, gave a lecture on composing for video games to the music composition majors, and came to our rehearsal to work with us. Nothing but great things to say about the guy. Kind, happy to work with us, and supportive.

@emmbeesea 3 года назад

Austin Wintory thrives on the _crunch._ Even within the key, he finds a way to have that sense of tension and release, just with the in-context melody. That's incredible.

@Violoncheloops 3 года назад

When I played Journey, the very first thing I did after finishing it, was to look for the composer and buy the soundtrack. It is such an amazing album on its own, and it improves the game experience like no other.

@Randomgen77 3 года назад

8BMT: *in-depth breakdown of musical techniques and theory* Me (crying, listening to Apotheosis): “Yes, I know some of these words.”

@ileryon4019 3 года назад

ew music theory

@runnersshade6612 3 года назад

Seriously, I haven't played that game and the song still made a tear come up

@lambdaman3228 3 года назад

You don't know what all those words mean? Please tell me that you're a non-native speaker with almost no experience at all in English.

@PapyPetitPois Год назад

I know and understand music theory in an extent (I'm ok tier). I've clicked on the video to get a bit of theory and I ended up most of the time listening and feeling the music. Apotheosis is a nightmare. I almost never play it 🤣

@AntonioOrtizMusic 3 года назад

This is my first time hearing any of Wintory's music. He has an insane amount of huge titles in his catalogue. From the pieces I heard in this video, I love how he's able to write music with a strong melodic line, while also maintaing a surreal, other wordly, atmospheric vibe. Definitely going to check out some of these titles in full.

@ashtonhettich9195 3 года назад

Antonio Ortiz Music You should check out everything by Austin Wintory. I studied Music Composition in college and actually got to meet him in one of my composition seminar classes. He inspired me to develop my craft of composition and I find I write my classical music similarly to him (even though I write more Gothic Metal music). Keep exploring his music for sure. I had it on repeat for a pretty solid two years.

@CrispyGFX 3 года назад

Playing Journey for the first time is still one of my favorite gaming moments of all time.

@magolor7856 3 года назад

Same. I wasn’t expect to be sobbing on my Birthday but Apotheosis hit like a truck, particularly the ending solo. Gets me to cry every time, and I’ve probably done over 90 play throughs of it! 😂

@catouniverse 3 года назад

It's been years since I last played Journey, but as soon as I heard the first phrase, my eyes filled with tears. What a power that man's music has.

@parmiggianoreggie-ano1832 3 года назад

Did you just read my mind? I though, like, two hours ago: “Hey! I’d like to see a new musical analysis of Journey’s OST, especially of “I was born for this”. “ Thank you!

@Jiwpgakis 3 года назад

That’s the point. I love his ability too balance out a somewhat sophistication and modernness in his music while writing good and memorable themes.

@Gnurklesquimp 3 года назад

I can't think of any of my very favorite tracks that aren't great in both a straightforward way and also a more interesting way, that's something I really strive for. It's easy for me to come up with a single section that I like in both of these ways, but I've never written anything to completion while satisfying this.

@isaiahdavis9486 3 года назад

I met a composer who knew Austin. I know that’s not as cool as meeting him myself, but it was still neat.

@karimari974 3 года назад

LoL i guess the next person gonna say Austin was my uncle

@peanutbutter1998 3 года назад

@@karimari974 Then someone will say Austin is my Dad’s friend.

@snadwich9352 3 года назад

I actually taught Austin everything he knows tbrwy

@pmangano 2 года назад

Journey's theme hit me like an emotional truck from the first moment i put the cd in and the game popped up. The game is a masterpiece in design in every single aspect, the music of course is at least half of it. The end of apotheosis combined with the end of the game itself leaves that overwhelming feeling of "hell yeah" combined with "oh shit i actually feel kinda empty now" which is a feeling only geniuses can achieve in others.

@jeremiah3355 3 года назад

You know you made a good video when Austin leaves a comment

@MarbleOceans 3 года назад

It's amazing to me how Apotheosis still brings tears to my eyes after all these years

@lxLucky13xl 3 года назад

Finally Journey! I have never clicked on a video so fast.

@CliffordMorrison 3 года назад

No other piece has emotionally struck me so hard when I heard it for the first time as Apotheosis. And then hearing I Was Born For This shortly after gave such reflective sigh of letting go, as reflected in the finale of the game. I'm so glad you covered Apotheosis here. Thank you.

@HatVGM 3 года назад

Fantastic insights (and it doesn't hurt that the Abzû soundtrack is a household favorite)!

@shl2296 3 года назад

@lineautox 3 года назад

Wow, this is the earliest I've ever been to an 8-bit music theory. As an aspiring game programmer, your videos really give me an excellent pause for thought about music and how truly important it is in games and the scene as a whole. It's so true that music can really set an environment. Also, Journey is one of my favoraite games.

@Donut-Eater 3 года назад

You are too early

@Donut-Eater 3 года назад

@Benedict Francis probably was uploaded early then taken down because the video was not meant for that day but the original commenter already commented, or the time on the comment is glitched or maybe something else happened

@spiridiums 3 года назад

Austin Wintory has always been one of my top favorite contemporary composers for every reason outlined above and then some. The soundtrack from Journey alone brings me to tears every time I listen to it, and it's really cool to hear a solid breakdown of just why his music works as well as it does.

@solarmuse. 3 года назад

Shared this in Mr. Wintory’s discord server! Excellent content as always :DD

@midtown6974 3 года назад

I've never played these games, but now I really want to play them *just* for the music

@parkerklinck263 3 года назад

I cannot recommend Abzu enough. Also check out Scruffy's video about it, it is linked in the description

@annakrawczuk5221 3 года назад

Abzu and Journey. They are (from what I know) simple, artistic, and totally different to what a "video game" is like to most people.

@myilesm854 3 года назад

I haven't been able to listen to Apotheosis ever since hearing it for the first time without my eyes leaking for some reason

@dacornguy 3 года назад

I'm being brought to tears both by the incredible examination of Austin Wintory's music and the fact that the Journey soundtrack was taken off of Spotify... 😭😭

@jekyllgaming99 3 года назад

Am I the only one who genuinely weeps at Journey's soundtrack?

@phosphor112 3 года назад

I've played all these games (except Banner Saga) but I forgot how emotional Journey with his work made me. Honestly the game wouldn't be the same without his work. I have goosebumps...

@mch155 3 года назад

To be fair, Austin is the kind of a composer where I will pick a game not for the gameplay or graphics, but because Austin created the score. Journey will always remain as my most emotional gaming experience ever.

@quantumfifteen5679 3 года назад

I have been on the Austin Wintery fan train for a couple of weeks now, he has such a fresh style. I also feel like his music is a lot more mature then many other game soundtracks, his music always feels like an extension to the gameplay, not just filling silence

@goldentrout4811 3 года назад

There's a reason why Austin Wintory's Journey OST is most notable to me. I remember watching his journey ost video with his text commentary on how they worked on the game. The music went back and forth with the team and kept improving on it multiple multiple times. They could've kept going if it wasn't for the deadline. All that hard work and talent blossomed his soundtracks into the ascended (pun intended) realm. Really amazing stuff.

@Adshercott 3 года назад

Sidenote: Wintory's unusual phrase lengths (almost never a multiple of 4) and uneven phrase divisions are textbook Brahms. How they develop their themes are quite different, though, it seems. Homework: Do any of you see other Brahmsian influences in his work?

@cpemby 3 года назад

Ironically, the simplicities of these composer’s music is what makes it so complex. Really showcases their mastery.

@DallasCrane 3 года назад

8-bit, This is such a fantastic video! I never jumped to watch a video faster. Thank you so much for this, and the shoutouts to the As Noted score series!

@TessaLucy 3 года назад

Wait I didn't even know he was the composer for abzu that explains a lot

@BBWahoo 3 года назад

No Straight Roads has a LOT of musicality in it! It would be amazing if you could cover it ;-; Cliqtrack is such a good music team!!!

@Tredenix 3 года назад

Apotheosis never fails to give me shivers. It's such a good track.

@aphrosu 3 года назад

I was able to play various selections from Journey in my college symphony last year! He's a Colorado local and loved to endorse our performance. Wonderful music!

@Juan_Teppa 2 года назад

Wintory is definitely a modern master on sentence and period composition formulas but always including many personal and effective twists.

@AllHailMerp-DBMusician 3 года назад

Just finished playing Abzu today and I see that you uploaded this. The soundtrack gets you so immersed in the world of the game.

@HaliPuppeh 3 года назад

This is an amazing video. And I completely agree with the emotional impact of the music of Journey. My husband has played it several times and I am always struck at how wonderful the music is.

@dogknees44 3 года назад

I had the amazing chance to see the Journey soundtrack performed live while someone else was playing the game in front of us. It was amazing to see how easily the transitions were made from one section of the game to another!

@Lukz243 3 года назад

I've gotta say, I haven't listened much of Wintory's work, as far as I heard from the pieces, they look great. I need a time to listen to them for myself

@KARINEMOOSE 3 года назад

Incredible insight, and amazing communication as always! Just when you think you fully appreciate a composer's genius, 8-bit comes in and bring us 10 levels deeper into their brilliance. Thank you so much, this was amazing! ✨ I think you would do a tremendous job reviewing some of Gareth Coker's work on the Ori games. He's shares similarities with Wintory in that he's very agile at translating the same theme into multiple atmospheres. Also, the way he writes villain themes is *incredibly* thoughtful (I won't spoil too much, but Coker is very intentional about making sure certain villain themes have a hint of empathy to them in order to facilitate possible character transformations later on). Anyway love your work, thank you for the great analysis!!

@MQWalkman 3 года назад

Mr 8-bit, you are very generous to share your musical expertise and video-making prowess with us.

@FlourishPorridge 3 года назад

I recommend you all watch "Crafting the Ocean in the Music of ABZU" by Scruffy. It's a very well produced video that has very few views.

@DallasCrane 3 года назад

Yes, please watch it!!

@AnthonyJohnson-zk7cc 3 года назад

it's linked in the description and yes it's an excellent video

@SuperRitz44 3 года назад

Please guys watch EVERYTHING by Scruffy

@taylorwilliams2880 3 года назад

@@SuperRitz44 scruffffyyyy

@elderberryva9282 3 года назад

YESSSS I WAS WAITING FOR WHEN YOU WOULD COVER HIM!!!!!!

@GabrielStrozi Год назад

Journey was a game that I get to know because of his music, through an RU-vid recomendation. I instantly fell in love and buy the game. A trully masterpiece in every detail. Austin work's is really fascinating! Thanks for this analisys!

@voxstelarum 3 года назад

Man this analysis are a gold mine. Fantastic work 👏👏

@gonzosimaginaryfriend8013 3 года назад

So glad you covered the composer behind the Leisure Suit Larry remake. Probably best you didn’t include that game in your analysis though.

@joshuastclairmusic 3 года назад

What a treat! So many insightful things here. I’ve been listening to Wintory’s music, particularly Journey and Abzu, for a while, mostly driving and hiking in the mountains. So exquisite! Thanks!

@FasterthanLight11 3 года назад

My favorite alive composer alongside Matoi Sakuraba. The man knows how to portray depression but also resilience at the same time. It very much embodies the tone of Banner Saga's ability to constantly kick you down, never letting you rest, fraying you constantly but also that you continue to face the world and putting on foot in front of the other.

@tekkorb778 3 года назад

"We Will not be Forgotten" is phenomenal, like the opening to a truly epic journey

@linkVIII 3 года назад

Never looked into Journey before, but that cello has me sold

@linkVIII 11 месяцев назад

I said I was sold, but I only played it last week

@whatdothlife4660 Год назад

I simply cannot get enough of Austin's music. I have been listening to The Pathless Meditations every single day for about two months.

@The8BitPianist 3 года назад

Now I know that my most favourite musical moment in any video game ever is a Cmaj7. Thanks!

@The_Jovian 3 года назад

I do hope you'll do a video on the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrack sometime. It's my all-time favourite

@Zakvasir 3 года назад

This is my favorite channel on youtube. As much of an artist as Austin Wintory is, taking us through it analytically like this is a rare skill too.

@RCmies 3 года назад

Holy shit I just can't describe how beautiful the Abzu theme sounds. It's been ages since I completed that game. Recommend it for everyone.

@christopherlao4870 3 года назад

This is an neat channel I just found. If the creator sees this, have you ever considered covering the music from Halo? Halo's music is definately one of the things that made Halo so great. I'd love to see a breakdown for some of its tracks.

@thalesfechner340 3 года назад

The Journey soundtrack is one of my favourites to just sit and listen through as a whole. It's beautiful from start to finish. This analysis really helped to shine some light on why I enjoy the melody so much! Any chance of doing a video on town themes in jrpgs? Feels like there must be something to unpick there :) (frontier village dali from final fantasy ix is just so relaxing...)

@alistairbadger4413 3 года назад

You give such an intuitive, yet sophisticated presentation on a topic that I love so much! Austin Wintory has done some of my favourite video game themes (as a flute player, the Journey sound track is amazing). Loving your work!

@calliechristiansen22 3 года назад

I'd love to see you analyze Gareth Coker's music. He's probably most known for his Ori soundtracks. There are moments of his that also give me Wintory vibes! That, or maybe looking at the music for thatgamecompany, same people behind Journey. Their scores always feel similar yet independent of one another, and I'd love to see them compared all side-by-side!

@g_in_garage 3 года назад

I hadn't heard Apotheosis before watching this, but that bII chord just DESTROYS me. Like, even though you said it was there, even though you warned me that it would knock me off my feet, I was actually, no joke, almost at tears. Amazing how even one chord can change so much in the way a song will feel. Outstanding work to you, and to Wintory!

@katherineedwards8057 3 года назад

I loved the specific observations you put into the video. I am amazed by the risks that Wintory takes into consideration with his scores. The tritones play a huge role into his transitions and his use of dynamics, by building chords, is awesome. Most importantly, I love that he characterizes his pieces, making sure to focus on the character(s) provided. Really solid observations!

@endlesshybrids 3 года назад

Wow, I just learned about this channel. I’m starting to study game soundtracks and you’ve created a gold mine of knowledge. Thanks! I’ll be diving into your past videos to see what I can learn.

@CodyCleggMusic 3 года назад

Fantastic video! Thanks so much for your hard work to bring viewers this content! Really cool and insightful stuff.

@jamesrees8070 3 года назад

The only game I've played scored by Austin was Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and the score fits perfectly in every leap, brawl and cart chase

@annakrawczuk5221 3 года назад

Do you think it's worth playing it just for the music? I only played the Ezio trilogy (was fun) and not really interested in other games from the series, but maybye?

@jamesrees8070 3 года назад

@@annakrawczuk5221 this opinion is unpopular amongst the AC community, but Syndicate was actually one of my favourite games in terms of gameplay, and if anything that's the main reason to play that series. Each new game brings a new protagonist with new abilities unique to the setting. Syndicate let you switch between two siblings that each had their strengths and weaknesses which is great for strategising before you begin a side quest. Not to mention that they both get a grappling hook which makes ziplining around Victorian London a lot of fun. I'd put Black Flag above Syndicate though, because pirates just rule, but if you're going to play any Assassin's Creed games it would be those two

@lizardltd Год назад

Beautiful analysis, thank you so much!

@tarkelprice6875 3 года назад

YES! Thank you so much! I've been waiting for this.

@smalltallhall 3 года назад

What a wonderful video and insight into my favourite game composer! 💖

@laerwen 3 года назад

Bless you for this video. Austin Wintory is one of my most favorite music people in the last 10 years. Journey is a masterpiece. And Austin brings something unique and beautiful to everything he does.

@Marunius 3 года назад

Glad to see you uploading more frequently!

@MikeBreidegamMusic 3 года назад

Great breakdown of all the fantastic themes Austin has. Learned something just watching.

@wynnmusic_ 3 года назад

Finally I’ve been waiting for this one! Such good quality music

@gpeddino 3 года назад

When the main melody shifts to the relative major, the waterworks begin. (17:40)

@lunchboy360 3 года назад

Just finished the first Banner Saga game a week or so ago. Thanks for the video! Your channel got me to go back to learning piano. :)

@vroomoon 3 года назад

The first thing I think when I hear this music is "This is a man that has been steeped in the concert band world." He's got the Eric Whitacre / Frank Ticheli / Samuel R. Hazo vibe going STRONG.

@obinnanwakwue5735 3 года назад

Not sure about Hazo but Ticheli and Whitacre, yes.

@strider2175 3 года назад

Fantastic analysis! I really enjoy the way that you break down the music, showcasing the characteristics of Wintery's style. Would love to see you do this for Jesper Kyd someday!

@MJ-sy2en 3 года назад

This will help me so making epic, calming and mystical music. Thank you!

@julio1148 3 года назад

I recommend Wintory’s youtube channel, and the “play watch listen” podcast (: !

@712toaster 3 года назад

so glad you focused on some modal use and such great music. loads of insight excellent info.

@Neotoribaru 3 года назад

Hearing just a few parts of Journey's finale made me cry... once more

@akmadsen 3 года назад

This was super interesting. Would love to hear your take on his Monaco soundtrack because it's so different from everything else he's done (using only a piano ... mostly).

@yusufylmaz6417 3 года назад

It's amazing to me how you can transcribe all of this 7 note harmonies with 2nds and all that good stuff. I don't think i'll ever get there..

@DallasCrane 3 года назад

Go to Austin's RU-vid channel-a lot of the scores to these themes are posted for anybody to read!

@wyattreed4024 3 года назад

Ear training is tough! I feel like the only thing you can really do is try and pay close attention to sounds and to practice a lot, over time you'd be surprised how much it develops on its own. Also, there are plenty of great ear training apps available for free. Like everything else, it gets better when you use! Maybe start by transcribing simple music, as simple as it needs to be for your to be able to. I promise you that you'll be able to do this. I know I was also super daunted by it when I was starting out, and noe I've done enough transcribing for a lifetime lol.

@607 2 года назад

Will you believe that I haven't heard any of these themes before? I've been missing out!

@poorme1art 5 месяцев назад

Holy crap, I haven't even played any of these and the end theme of Journey almost made me shed a tear. Gotta play that game.

@phillipsais1116 3 года назад

Great video! I think your recording of the assassin's creed theme "Bloodline" at 13:37 is a step higher than your transcription. I could be wrong, but I just wanted you to know. Love your stuff! Keep it up!

@elephantno.5120 3 года назад

not sure if genuine mistake, trying to avoid copyright stuff, or a prank on perfect pitch-ers.

@Jumpluffmusic 3 года назад

such a fan of your videos I've never played these games but im still so invested in how you break things down. it would be so cool to see your take on the songs from rhythm heaven games and why their melodies are so catchy, one of my favourite series and since its a rhythm game that relies on musical cues rather than visual it'd be cool to see it broken down

@jasonburnett 3 года назад

I have been DYING for you to cover Wintory

@erzloh 3 года назад

Your videos are so good!

@MarcDLange 3 года назад

. I absolutely love your content. Thank you.

@MelvaCross 3 года назад

Thank you for the great analysis! I love to learn the techniques great composers use. I legit got goosebumps listening to Apotheosis!

@gabrielboechat203 3 года назад

abosolutely love the content you're making man!! mixing two of my favorite things. thank you for being so awesome! could you please make a video talking about the use of leitmotifs and themes in Mother 3?

@bigfootnintendorazr 3 года назад

Love this channel 💟

@miragetheshadow 3 года назад

YES YES YES I AM SO HAPPY THESE WERE COVERED THANKS FOR SUPPORTING SOME OF MY FAVORITE GAME SOUNDTRACKS! (Also thx for HK content)

@masterspongebat2387 3 года назад

3:39 reminds me of Back in the 90s

@yassoubouajila5412 3 года назад

I don't know why but i really love your intro

@Lukz243 3 года назад

Hey, 8bit, just wanted to say that I've loved your live analysis and the roundtable at VGM-Con! I'm gonna miss those ＴｈｉＣｃ　lines and arrows

@Seadrake 3 года назад

I don't fully understand the theory behind that B flat at 13:11, but good grace does it feel good when that cord hits ! It almost seems like the cord is trying to overstay its welcome as much as it can before the violin releases it as slowly as it can.