To Our Surprise
| Kingdom Hearts To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimormura |
| Length | 2:14 |
| Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimomura |
| Length | 2:24 |
| Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimomura |
| Length | 2:24 |
| Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimomura |
| Kingdom Hearts coded To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimomura |
| Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX To Our Surprise | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arranger | Yoko Shimomura |
| Composer | Yoko Shimomura |
| Length | 2:15 |
"To Our Surprise" is a musical composition by Yoko Shimomura that appears in the Kingdom Hearts series. It is the battle theme of Wonderland.
Development[edit]
In Kingdom Hearts's game code, there exist two alternate music files. One is nothing but the brass accompaniment, while the other is the entire song with different instrumentation and balance.
Unused "To Our Surprise" variant.
Unused "To Our Surprise" variant.
Appearances[edit]
"To Our Surprise" is the battle theme of Wonderland in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Kingdom Hearts Union χ, and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road. It is the field theme of the Hedge Maze and Aimless Path in Wonderland in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded.
Kingdom Hearts[edit]
- Wonderland: Queen of Hearts, Card Soldiers, and Crank Tower
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]
- Wonderland: "Off with Their Heads!"
Kingdom Hearts Union χ[edit]
- Wonderland: "A Giant Mistake", "Vegetables from the Garden"
Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit]
- Wonderland: "Tea Time"
Composition[edit]
"To Our Surprise" is approximately two minutes and fourteen seconds long in Kingdom Hearts. In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, the piece is approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds. For the HD remake, the piece is two minutes and fifteen seconds. "To Our Surprise" is combined with the field theme "Wonderland" for the piano collections version. This version, titled "Wonderland's Surprises," is approximately four minutes and twelve seconds long.
The in-game versions have a time signature of 4/4 time. Regardless of the game, each version has a slight decrease in tempo between 0:21 and 0:24- aka measures 15 and 16. In Kingdom Hearts, and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, the tempo is 159 beats per minute. In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and Kingdom Hearts Union χ, the tempo remains at a "presto" speed, but lowers by two clicks to 157 beats per minute.
The piece lacks an introduction and conclusion, allowing for smooth transitions between loops. There are a total of three different variations, each variation introducing new instruments and/or a style change. Each loop is sixteen measures long. The first variation consists of the general theme. After the slight ritardando in measures 15 and 16, the piece transitions into its second variation, this time introducing the cellos. The third variation switches style completely, marked by the driving quarter note pulse provided by the bass drum. This new variation consists of a more "battle"-like tone, complete with underlaying percussion and melodic winds. The piece returns to variation one at the end of variation three, continuing the repetitive loop.
The instrumentation for the Kingdom Hearts version (including the HD remake) consists of: strings, snare drum, crash cymbals, synthesizer, accordion, woodwinds (notably, flutes and oboes), and tuba. For Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, the instrumentation is reduced, using primarily synthesizer, flutes, snare drum, and strings. In Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, the instrumentation is very similar to Kingdom Hearts.
Albums[edit]
Disc 1, Track 22 in the Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack
Disc 1, Track 22 in the Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete
Disc 7, Track 8 in the Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete
Disc 1, Track 22 in the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX Original Soundtrack
Disc 1, Track 4 in the Kingdom Hearts Music Selection
Disc 1, Track 3 in the Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle Soundtrack
