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Description:
"Rehlehna" (The Journey)
Back in 1991, when Macintosh was just a 'funny little computer with a mouse,' two brothers-- using Hypercard and a Mac--created a game that would sell millions of copies and make the computer game world take notice.
The game, released in September of 1993, was Myst and the company that Rand and Robyn Miller founded was called Cyan.
With recent developments at Cyan, it is uncertain what adventures will follow (Myst V is reportedly the concluding game of the Myst series), and I wanted to write a composition that reflected my experience--a journey, really--with the people I have met, some of them at Cyan, and the incredible world of the D'ni, the beautiful graphics and haunting, ethereal music (created for Myst I and Riven by Robyn Miller).
The words in the song are based upon a working D'ni 'language' (my apologies to you, RAWA, for any faults in the pronunciation!) and those familiar with the ambient music of Riven, especially, will recognize the echoes of synths and marimbas used here. The song title "Rehlehna" is taken from the D'ni language and means, literally, 'the journey.'
This composition is dedicated to all those who have worked for Cyan: Thank you for the journey.
"The ending can never truly be written."
* * * * * * * * * *
(Thanks to Alimar, and Slimmie, who 'lent me their ears' when mine were numb from hearing the same thing over and over.
And a special thanks to Tom Atwood, who followed this composition from start to finish and persisted amidst computer woes via email. It's a better composition as a result of your input/feedback/discussion on this piece.)
'Atrus' prayer' ©1996 Cyan, Inc. All rights reserved.
Myst, Riven ® Cyan, Inc.
Hardware:
MAudio Mobile Pre USB
Behringer B-1 Condenser Mic
MAudio Keystation 61es
Mac mini 1.42 GHz
iBook 1.2 GHz
Vocals and instrumentals were recorded on the Mac mini, with mixing/production completed on the iBook.
A total of 24 tracks were used in this composition.
Software:
GarageBand 2
Jam Pack 4:Symphony
Note: All instrumentation was composed on the keystation, with the exception of the percussion loops "Escape" and "Longing" from JamPack 4.
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wooooo.... &mdash 09/17/05 - 02:03:25 PM
Mysti you've outdone yourself! For those who know Myst
or not, you've created such a beautiful song, conjuring up
visions of faraway places. Your vocals are both airy and
earthy, I was just a little disappointed when there wasn't
more! Deelightful. Download-worthy. [ Reply to This ]
wooooo.... &mdash 09/18/05 - 12:00:30 PM
Thank you, CJ.
The worlds of Myst/Riven were so inspiring to me, but I readily admit to being
drawn to the 'fantastic and far-away.'
I am glad you enjoyed this. Thanks again for your comments.
[ Reply to This ]
Amazing &mdash 09/17/05 - 02:21:30 PM
Been a long time since I played Myst, but you managed to
capture the beauty and ethereal nature of the game. Love the
majesty and power of the music and the sweet serenity of
the vocals. [ Reply to This ]
Amazing &mdash 09/18/05 - 12:05:50 PM
Thank you.
I enjoyed the ambient music in the game Riven so much that I bought the
soundtrack. (In fact, at one time I bought more soundtracks than other CDs.)
Something about how a soundtrack provides a backdrop to a story or action
is appealing to me.
I often listen to soundtracks, in fact, when writing.
Thanks, again, for stopping by.
[ Reply to This ]
can this be... &mdash 09/17/05 - 02:33:09 PM
my favorite version of Mystified? this one is amazingly
entertaining, inspirational and awe inspiring. You just
keep branching out..reaching and learning sooo fast.
Fantasmical!!!!
z [ Reply to This ]
can this be... &mdash 09/18/05 - 12:54:11 PM
Thanks for those kind words, z.
It's really quite impossible for me to capture the grand scale of the D'ni
universe in 6 minutes of a composition, let alone attempt to approach what
the designers and creators of the game have done, but I have meant it as a
tribute and a 'thank you' more than anything.
I'm glad that others are enjoying it as well. :)
[ Reply to This ]
You got the Myst "feel" right... &mdash 09/17/05 - 02:52:56 PM
...the properly reverbed percussion in the
background...including the plonky marimba-ish sounds
against lower, slower tones...the way you use the strings...
The vocals seem in keeping with the track and the games...
Inflection on the D'ni might betray a slight accent...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
You got the Myst "feel" right... &mdash 09/18/05 - 09:20:44 PM
Thanks for listening, Ed.
I was actually pretty free with the vocals on this one--considering that vocals
are sparse on the Myst 1/Riven soundtracks--mostly because I am a vocalist
and wanted to add something more personal and original in my own
composition. Besides, how often does one get to sing in the D'ni language?
Thanks, again for listening and commenting.
[ Reply to This ]
I will try to breath now... &mdash 09/17/05 - 03:41:53 PM
You have taken my breath away...You go Mysty! This is
exceptional and on all levels! This is the type of
production that I know they pay big bucks to have
produced.
You have let out the stops on this on. The arrangement
and instrumentation is one of the most complex,
interesting and well thought out pieces that I have heard
here. Very rich and full.
Your vocals..., this piece is one of few that successfully
carries you w/ what choose to offer, and in every way
possible, which for me, is strikingly different than most
ways possible. It is a difficult and in most cases,
impossible to have a voice w/classical and operatic
training to the callibur that you offer, it is a tough one to
pull off. Here, everything fits, and it fits in a grand way.
Bravo!
Cydniko [ Reply to This ]
I will try to breath now... &mdash 09/22/05 - 07:19:21 AM
Thanks so much,Cyd :)
Wow...not sure how to respond to such praise except to say thank you again.
I appreciate your very kind words and am grateful that this piece moved you
so. Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts here :)
[ Reply to This ]
Well, well, well &mdash 09/17/05 - 03:44:49 PM
Well, well, well &mdash 09/22/05 - 07:22:50 AM
Like that Jam pack 4 percussion and what leads into it.. . &mdash 09/17/05 - 04:55:07 PM
Nice use of the Mystery feel. Nice production. Your singing
reminds me of Charlette Church here. Again, love how you
work that percussion and Jam pack 4.
Good going!
Thanks for sharing
[ Reply to This ]
Like that Jam pack 4 percussion and what leads into it.. . &mdash 09/22/05 - 06:12:54 PM
Thanks, Tiler, for your comments here.
I am enjoying getting to know the JamPack 4 instruments better, and how to
work with them. I learned a lot from putting this piece together this
time....there most certainly will be other works with JP4 in the future!
[ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 09/17/05 - 05:48:07 PM
So now you're writing professional movie soundtracks too?
This is stunning, Cat. Gorgeous wafting lyricism from
scene to scene, nice orchestration, sweetly ethereal Mysti-
voice swirling around was pretty, and the constant
panning was not overly distracting on this. Good use of
percussion & dynamics to build suspense. I like it, and
know a couple of RPG-addicted kids of mine who'll love it
too!
Glad I checked in today, I almost Myst this, and once I
started listening, I was Riven to my chair, looking out
across 3D vistas, I'm Cyan for miles and miles... hey any
time you wanna play music, I'm game! You know me...
gotta give you your daily dose of punnage :-)
Oh, You're the Cat-o-9-tails! (9's across)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Very Myst-i &mdash 09/17/05 - 06:17:45 PM
Oh, it's been so long since I spent every waking hour riveted to the graphics, the music and the mysteries of that first game (the only one I played). It truly brought you to another world, and this tune brings me back to that nicely. Your enunciation in D'ni is spot on. :-) Another great tune, Mysti! [ Reply to This ]
Ummm . . . . .wow! &mdash 09/17/05 - 11:11:48 PM
Never played or saw Myst (heard about it though - not
THAT old!), but this has inspired me to look it up. Mysti
this just defies words - so majestic, alien and as if I've just
started watching the next big sci-fi movie at the local
cinema. I can't begin to imagine the work required to do
something like this. And you can sing a bit too! ; )
Excellent, excellent, excellent!
Thanks!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Perfect dedication &mdash 09/17/05 - 11:30:55 PM
to the games that I have spent many hours enjoying, as well as being stumped by. The singing and composition is just stunning. Unbelievable work Mysti..love it! [ Reply to This ]
oh pleeeease..... &mdash 09/18/05 - 02:28:53 AM
everytime i think it's safe to open my gob.... you come up with something more astounding and astonishing than the one before!!! i had to go and slip into something far more theatrical to listen to this one - it was made of chiffon and blew beuatifully in the breeze - you would've been proud!!! thank you - x [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 09/18/05 - 07:06:13 AM
I'm struck by your use of percussion here which I normally
don't associate with you work - very well done.
As always, your singing is excellent.
Thanks for the aural journey! [ Reply to This ]
Excellent! &mdash 09/18/05 - 08:11:49 AM
This could easily have been a part of the Myst soundtrack.
This brought back memories of painstaking mouse-clicking
through beautiful environments with haunting music and
sounds. Good times...
Amazing work! [ Reply to This ]
Large &mdash 09/18/05 - 08:21:09 AM
As you know, I have listened to this many times, I guess from its first draft to this final mix. Until now, I have listened to this piece critically, as you asked me to do, looking for 'problem areas,' or for ways to improve it. But as I listen to this now, as a 'listener,' I am struck by the enormous talent behind "Rehlehna." From conception to composition to performance. I don't know of anyone else, personally, who could do this. You have used all your 'voices' in this piece, Cat, all your tools. It is a magnificent work. I still think your decision to sing the lead vocal 'straight,' almost like a boy soprano, is inspired and perfect. Now, take a breath and relax, and get to bed before 2 am!
10-10-10-10 [ Reply to This ]
Fantastic ... &mdash 09/18/05 - 03:13:07 PM
I kept wondering where I'd seen the name Rehlehna before
... and now it's bringing back happy memories of the
evenings I spent staring at a Mac before MacJams was
invented. I'm a bit behind with the games these days but I
luuurve Myst and Riven and had no idea you were a fan
too!
Absolutely beautiful musical soundscape with fantastic
attention to detail (just like the games!) The vocal was
actually a big surprise when it came in ... which may
sound silly given that you're known here primarily as a
singer, but I was so mesmerised by the music and the
Riven-like imagery floating by in my imagination I forgot
everything else for a moment. This is really incredible
stuff. I absolutely love it. [ Reply to This ]
!!!!!!!!!! &mdash 09/18/05 - 03:25:24 PM
Its all been said so I can only say that if some company does not have enough sense to buy it from you and use it in a game thats their loss. Moreso they should just outright hire you to do the soundtrack for their games.
As the Phantom said
Bravo Bravo! [ Reply to This ]
wooooooow with alot more Os. &mdash 09/18/05 - 08:06:27 PM
wow Mysti! this song is very beautiful, mysterious, your
vocal is so beautiful, emotional, the percussions come in
at the very right place... beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... it
is a true soundtrack, you know what I mean.
Thanks for sharing.
- Hawks [ Reply to This ]
Remarkable &mdash 09/18/05 - 08:09:49 PM
Mysti, this is profound and otherworldy. Musically and
technically, it's spot on. But the images you manage to
conjure are vast, deep, colorful, and spiritual. A voyage. I
only wish that I could bring myself back to that place at will. I
feel this, and I don't even know the background!
%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0441%u0438%u0432%u0435%u0439%u0448%u0435. Beautiful. [ Reply to This ]
Very cool &mdash 09/18/05 - 10:44:47 PM
reminds me of both the games, and somewhat (due to the
"language") the music from most of the Cirque de Soleil
shows (Mystere especially). Nice arrangement, very natural. [ Reply to This ]
Gorgeous... &mdash 09/19/05 - 03:33:59 AM
This is delicious singing. It's really really good but then I
know you've got a great voice. But what I really like about
it is the way it develops... it's very thoughtful and original
and avoids New Agey cliche as it moves forward. Sounds
like the marimba cutting across the lusher sounds are
excellent. Thanks for this one. [ Reply to This ]
new heights of excellence &mdash 09/19/05 - 12:48:16 PM
This piece is quite an amazing expansion and evolution of
your already considerable musical talents, Cat! It brings to
bear many new elements in your work for the first time.
I had no idea that you were such a good orchestrator! The
choice and variety of sounds used on this piece are
imaginative and vivid. The combination of synth sounds
and more traditional orchestral ones is interesting and
works very well.
The various sections of this piece flow nicely from one to
the next, each offering an unexpected turn. The
introduction is followed naturally by the faster section
with percussion, then your voice floats in. What a pleasant
surprise!
Your use of percussion is excellent; I like the way the
marimba has a dialogue with the snare. Very interesting
rhythms recurr throughout this composition, adding a
strong sense of continuity to the whole.
This piece has a "monumental" quality because of its
broad, sophisticated musical scope, and rich variety of
sounds well produced and recorded. It reminds me a little
of Alimar's grand orchestral pieces, which also have this
"monumental" feel.
I've enjoyed listening to all of your work submitted here,
but personally like this piece the best. You have outdone
yourself, achieving new heights of excellence.
Wonderful job! [ Reply to This ]
Speechless! &mdash 09/19/05 - 06:14:40 PM
This is absolutly amazing! It never ceases to amaze me what
GarageBand can do in the hands of real talent. You, Myst,
are real talent! This is truly an amzing and epic piece! [ Reply to This ]
The music stops... &mdash 09/20/05 - 01:30:17 AM
and I collapse back into my chair after being held Riveted to my screen.....
Wow! Mysti, this is.....there are no words to describe how good this is! Amazing, outstanding, fantastic - they don't even come close!! [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 09/20/05 - 09:42:02 AM
Epic &mdash 09/20/05 - 10:28:22 PM
This is an epic song of grand proportions. Nicely layered
and very well produced. My mind goes numb thinking about
the mental power you must have exerted in the creation of
this homage to Cyan. The people at Cyan would be proud
and some other people at Cyan are probably getting fired
because you will be replacing whoever is working on the
musical score. [ Reply to This ]
Deep &mdash 09/21/05 - 12:51:08 PM
Layers of floating depth interrupted by gentle tension.
Beautiful voice. [ Reply to This ]
all smiles &mdash 09/21/05 - 01:40:45 PM
this was most definitely worth the wait! wonderfully epic &
oozing with mystify-able goodness. DL'd & listened to a
bunch! excellent ;) [ Reply to This ]
Almost perfect &mdash 09/21/05 - 05:16:19 PM
First, critics. :)
In my opinion ending is too abrupt and too simple. I know
the piece contains many ideas...but all the better! After
that richness I would expect one more idea for the final...
English horn is amazing as a orchestration solution as
"controcanto" with voice, but it is too often in unison with
it. That's a pity, strings sound very good in the
harmonization, and atmosphere is magic, I'd never be able
to create something like that...but why not to try to be as
accurate as possible! ;)
Voice works out magnificently as mix and timbre in the
medium range...maybe sometimes it's one or two commas
far from perfect tuning.
Now for the compliments...out of discussion the work is
outstanding. What I liked most was the major key novelty
introduced by the melody sung by your voice...it's really
precious and memorable.
Apart from Myst (and Riven) it reminded me somehow of
the Lord of the Rings elvish songs.
[ Reply to This ]
Very good! &mdash 09/22/05 - 10:37:09 PM
sweet sonic what's going on here &mdash 09/23/05 - 09:54:24 PM
the vox is the key to this piece. I have a hard time swallowing a beautifully
written composition like this without real instruments. drum timbres don't
shift much outside of volume. Likewise, the wind instrument (clarinet, i think)
embraces the sound a wind instrument creates but lacks humanistic elements
like vibrato, breath, etc. The reverb helps. All I'm saying is that perhaps you
should get a couple of friends together that you know that can play some
strings and find a real reed performer. When the intention is to extract or
emulate real intruments and all you have are some decent plugins, it falls a
bit short of the impact that you probably truly imagine. The percs would then
be less significant and the finely tuned voice would get the support it
deserves. An imaginative game worthy, work of art however. 9898 [ Reply to This ]
symphonic &mdash 09/24/05 - 03:51:56 PM
Gorgeous! &mdash 09/30/05 - 08:32:04 PM
All of it! The instrumentation, the vocals, the production, everything!
It's a shame I can't vote (for some reason the voting gizmo isn't
showing), but I'm still downloading this! [ Reply to This ]
Myst kicks butt, and so does Mystified. &mdash 10/11/05 - 06:08:16 PM
This is a good combination of the synthesized and traditional instrumentation, something that I've been grappling with lately but you pull off with ease (and I'm sure aplomb). Love it when the percussion kicks in, so so sweet of a delivery.
There is lot's going on in here, too much to comment on, but...ooh wait, vocals! Amazing!!! This is good stuff. Got goosebumps. Can't....type...coherent....sentence.....
This is the type of song on Macjams that forces all of us to kick it up a notch...way up a notch. It's Beautiful.
.....
[ Reply to This ]
good music for the genre! &mdash 10/24/05 - 02:31:46 PM
this is good ambient video game music!
good job!!
I would play this game! [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 11/20/05 - 07:51:47 PM
So pretty. &mdash 02/08/06 - 06:02:46 PM
I'm not a video game person, I'm a musician and wherever this beautiful
music came from, I am grateful for the source! This is gorgeous! I love the
vocals. And, you say it's a language from the game? Whatever! It's
beautiful! I like the xylophone very much. [ Reply to This ]
as &mdash 06/05/07 - 11:58:10 PM
i work my way through all of my new friendsback catalogs, i am constantly rewarded. this is jaw dropping. thanks for posting. [ Reply to This ]
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or not, you've created such a beautiful song, conjuring up
visions of faraway places. Your vocals are both airy and
earthy, I was just a little disappointed when there wasn't
more! Deelightful. Download-worthy.
[ Reply to This ]