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GAMEPLAY
GAMEPLAY

GAMEPLAY: The Legend of Zelda

We're celebrating the iconic music spanning Zelda's long history.

Released in 1986, The Legend of Zelda puts the player in the shoes of the elf-like character Link as he journeys across the land of Hyrule to rescue Princess Zelda from the malevolent Ganon.

The game’s open fantasy world, action-adventure gameplay and thrilling music were a major influence on fantasy role-playing games to come.

Legendary composer Koji Kondo established the series’ trademark sound with his score.

The original opening theme is widely recognized in the gaming world and beyond.

Listen to the episode to hear beloved music from franchise titles like Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, A Link to the Past and more!

Want updates on GAMEPLAY? Follow @classicalipr on Instagram!

Generous support for the music heard on this program comes from the Robert T. and Ruth Haidt Hughes Memorial Acquisitions Fund.

Thanks to Michael Culler for engineering assistance and to Christine Kyprianides for production support.

Amanda Sewell is IPR's Music Director, and Keith Brown is GAMEPLAY’s host and executive producer. Emily Duncan Wilson is IPR's Digital Content Manager.

Here's the episode's playlist:

Manaka Kataoka - Main Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - The Laurence Manning Trio: Laurence Manning, piano; Daphnee Sincennes Richard, violin; Lou Dunand-Vincent, cello

Yasuaki Iwata - Mipha's Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - The Laurence Manning Trio: Laurence Manning, piano; Daphnee Sincennes Richard, violin; Lou Dunand-Vincent, cello

Koji Kondo - The Legend of Zelda: Main Theme (The Legend of Zelda) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra; Voces Tokyo

Akito Nakatsuka - Town Theme (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) - The Noble Demon

Akito Nakatsuka - Palace Theme (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) - The Noble Demon

Koji Kondo - Hyrule Castle (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass

Koji Kondo - Lost Woods (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass

Koji Kondo - Battle with Ganon (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass

Minako Hamano, Kazumi Totaka, Kozue Ishikawa - You're Lost [Link's Awakening: Mysterious Forest] (The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening) - DiscoCactus, featuring insaneintherainmusic (Carlos Eiene), tenor saxophone; Dom Palombi, drums

Koji Kondo - Castle Town Market (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) - Slovak National Symphony Orchestra / Allan Wilson, cond.

Koji Kondo - The Legendary Blade (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) - Slovak National Symphony Orchestra / Allan Wilson, cond.

Hajime Wakai, Takeshi Hama - Ballad of the Goddess (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) - ROZEN; Voices of Termina; REVEN, soprano

Yasuaki Iwata - Kass's Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin, viola; Israfelcello (Andrew Dunn), cello

Yasuaki Iwata - Tarrey Town (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin, viola, piano; Diana Dunn, English horn

Hajime Wakai - Molduga Battle (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin

Keith Brown was the host of Matinee Classics and the host and producer of GAMEPLAY until 2024.