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Dearly Beloved: Difference between revisions

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m (→‎Variations: Not to be a music geek...but...I'm a music geek)
(i just listened to every dearly beloved and i'm almost crying rn they're so beautiful)
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It begins playing as soon as the game loads and plays over the opening Menu Screen in a loop. However, if you continue to listen to "Dearly Beloved" without pressing any of the buttons on your controller for approximately 10-15 seconds, the screen will open up to ''Opening Menu Cinematic'' or ''Demo Loop'', which will play the orchestrated version of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' theme song. There is also a Reprise version that plays after the credits at the last screen in ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' and while viewing your Battle Report results in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''.  
It begins playing as soon as the game loads and plays over the opening Menu Screen in a loop. However, if you continue to listen to "Dearly Beloved" without pressing any of the buttons on your controller for approximately 10-15 seconds, the screen will open up to ''Opening Menu Cinematic'' or ''Demo Loop'', which will play the orchestrated version of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' theme song. There is also a Reprise version that plays after the credits at the last screen in ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' and while viewing your Battle Report results in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''.  
''Dearly Beloved'' contains two distinct melodies comprised out of identical chord structures, allowing them to be layered on top of each other. The second melody was first introduced in ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]''


==Versions==
==Versions==
*The original version of "Dearly Beloved" was composed solely on the piano.
<!--*The original version of "Dearly Beloved" was composed solely on the piano.
*The reprise of the original still contains the original melody, but this time combines piano and mallets.
*The reprise of the original still contains the original melody, but this time combines piano and mallets. (commenting because I hear differently, will fix later)-->
*The ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' version contains the original melody played on the piano, along with a secondary melody played in the background by a synthesized instrument.
*In ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'', the main melody is performed as a piano solo with a synthesized choral background.
*The ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' version transformed "Dearly Beloved" into a full orchestral piece (although the piano remains dominant), containing only the secondary melody.
*The reprise of ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' features a bell solo with pizzicato strings as support.
*The reprise of the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' version contains the secondary melody, but played only on the piano.
*The ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' version contains the original melody played on the piano, along with the secondary melody played by a synthesizer.
*The ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' version transformed "Dearly Beloved" into a full orchestral piece, featuring a piano solo carrying the main melody and various woodwind solos building the secondary melody.
*The reprise of the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' version contains the both melodies, but played as a piano solo.
*''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' contains a nearly identical version of the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' "Dearly Beloved" reprise, only this time it has the flute used in "Roxas' Theme".
*''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' contains a nearly identical version of the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' "Dearly Beloved" reprise, only this time it has the flute used in "Roxas' Theme".
*''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' features a new orchestral arrangement of "Dearly Beloved".
*''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' features a new orchestral arrangement of "Dearly Beloved", still featuring a piano as with the previous games but including a violin solo featuring a third theme exclusive to this game. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is the first game to change the chord structure of ''Dearly Beloved'', albeit briefly.
*''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'' contains a new version of "Dearly Beloved", with a slightly faster tempo.
*''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'' contains a slightly faster version of the original ''Dearly Beloved'' theme. It features both the first and second melodies, with pizzicato string support.
*Two arrangements of the song, entitled "Dearly Beloved" and "Concert Paraphrase on Dearly Beloved", appear in the [[Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts]].
*Two arrangements of the song, entitled "Dearly Beloved" and "Concert Paraphrase on Dearly Beloved", appear in the [[Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts]].
*''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'''s version of "Dearly Beloved" retains the original theme with pianos, violins, glockenspiel, and plucked violins, then the melody is played with flute and then has a slightly quicker part where a tambourine comes into play. It is also the first version to switch between a 4/4 and 3/4 time signature.
*''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'''s version of "Dearly Beloved" retains the original theme with pianos, violins, glockenspiel, and plucked violins, then the melody is played with flute and then has a slightly quicker part where a tambourine comes into play. It is also the first version to switch between a 4/4 and 3/4 time signature.
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==Variations==
==Variations==
The themes "Friends in My Heart", "Always on My Mind", "March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra", and "Fantasia alla Marcia for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra" are variations of "Dearly Beloved" that can be heard in ''Kingdom Hearts''. "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion" from the [[Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle]] album, contains melodies from "Dearly Beloved". "Dearly Dreams", the field music for the Mirage Arena in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', also contains some melodies from "Dearly Beloved", as does "The Key", the battle theme to [[Ventus-Vanitas]]. Most recently, "Link to All" from ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'' centers around the main melodic theme from "Dearly Beloved".
The themes "Friends in My Heart", "Always on My Mind", "March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra", and "Fantasia alla Marcia for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra" are variations of the "Dearly Beloved" theme that can be heard in ''Kingdom Hearts''. "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion" from the [[Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle]] album, contains melodies from "Dearly Beloved" in the last page. "Dearly Dreams", the field music for the Mirage Arena in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', also contains the main melody from "Dearly Beloved", as does "The Key", the battle theme to [[Ventus-Vanitas]]. Most recently, "Link to All" from ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'' centers around the main melodic theme from "Dearly Beloved".


==Sheet music==
==Sheet music==

Revision as of 22:06, 10 October 2014

Kingdom Hearts Opening Menu Screenshot.

"Dearly Beloved" is the opening and main theme to all Kingdom Hearts games. Composed for the first game by Yoko Shimomura, a version of the piece has been featured in every official Kingdom Hearts release to date.

It begins playing as soon as the game loads and plays over the opening Menu Screen in a loop. However, if you continue to listen to "Dearly Beloved" without pressing any of the buttons on your controller for approximately 10-15 seconds, the screen will open up to Opening Menu Cinematic or Demo Loop, which will play the orchestrated version of the Kingdom Hearts theme song. There is also a Reprise version that plays after the credits at the last screen in Kingdom Hearts and while viewing your Battle Report results in Kingdom Hearts II.

Dearly Beloved contains two distinct melodies comprised out of identical chord structures, allowing them to be layered on top of each other. The second melody was first introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Versions

  • In Kingdom Hearts, the main melody is performed as a piano solo with a synthesized choral background.
  • The reprise of Kingdom Hearts features a bell solo with pizzicato strings as support.
  • The Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories version contains the original melody played on the piano, along with the secondary melody played by a synthesizer.
  • The Kingdom Hearts II version transformed "Dearly Beloved" into a full orchestral piece, featuring a piano solo carrying the main melody and various woodwind solos building the secondary melody.
  • The reprise of the Kingdom Hearts II version contains the both melodies, but played as a piano solo.
  • Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days contains a nearly identical version of the Kingdom Hearts II "Dearly Beloved" reprise, only this time it has the flute used in "Roxas' Theme".
  • Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep features a new orchestral arrangement of "Dearly Beloved", still featuring a piano as with the previous games but including a violin solo featuring a third theme exclusive to this game. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is the first game to change the chord structure of Dearly Beloved, albeit briefly.
  • Kingdom Hearts Re:coded contains a slightly faster version of the original Dearly Beloved theme. It features both the first and second melodies, with pizzicato string support.
  • Two arrangements of the song, entitled "Dearly Beloved" and "Concert Paraphrase on Dearly Beloved", appear in the Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts.
  • Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance's version of "Dearly Beloved" retains the original theme with pianos, violins, glockenspiel, and plucked violins, then the melody is played with flute and then has a slightly quicker part where a tambourine comes into play. It is also the first version to switch between a 4/4 and 3/4 time signature.

Audio samples

Dearly Beloved (Birth by Sleep)
Dearly Beloved (358/2 Days)
Dearly Beloved (Re:CoM)
Dearly Beloved (KH2)
Dearly Beloved (KH1)
Dearly Beloved (χ [chi])
Dearly Beloved (Dream Drop Distance)
Dearly Beloved (Re:coded)
Dearly Beloved -Reprise- (KH2)
Dearly Beloved -Reprise- (KH1)
Concert Paraphrase on Dearly Beloved
Dearly Beloved (Piano Collections)
Dearly Beloved (1.5 HD Remix: Final Mix)

Variations

The themes "Friends in My Heart", "Always on My Mind", "March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra", and "Fantasia alla Marcia for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra" are variations of the "Dearly Beloved" theme that can be heard in Kingdom Hearts. "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion" from the Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle album, contains melodies from "Dearly Beloved" in the last page. "Dearly Dreams", the field music for the Mirage Arena in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, also contains the main melody from "Dearly Beloved", as does "The Key", the battle theme to Ventus-Vanitas. Most recently, "Link to All" from Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance centers around the main melodic theme from "Dearly Beloved".

Sheet music

Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts contains the official sheet music.