The Legend of Zelda Symphony Tour Producer Teases ‘Breath Of The Wild’, Nintendo Switch, & ‘All Nintendo Tour’

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Going strong into its fifth year, the Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses Tour made its way to Newark, New Jersey at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The brainchild of producer Jason Michael Paul and currently conducted and directed by Amy Andersson, the Zelda Symphony plays arrangements of the legendary music found throughout Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise.

The symphony’s breathtaking performance in Newark in front of a mostly adult crowd gleefully drinking “Red Potion” cocktails from the bar proved to be a must see for any self-respecting Zelda fan, one with repeat viewing value, given the symphony’s tendency to reinvent itself with each new game release. I caught up with with Jason Michael Paul prior to the show, who reaffirmed the longevity of the tour and teased a few surprises for the near future….

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I remember the first shows of the Zelda Symphony were in 2012…

Right we announced it in 2011, at the E3 Press Event.

For the 25th anniversary. It’s the 30th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda now. I never expected the tour to go on this long! Do you expect this tour to continue on in the foreseeable future?

I think we’ll take some breaks, but I see it as a continuing thing. Just like the Zelda franchise itself: creating new generations. It’s the same with the Zelda Symphony Orchestra. There will be breaks like we did in 2014 before coming back with Master Quest in 2015, but fortunately for us, the timing couldn’t be better! We got Breath of the Wild coming out and of course the Nintendo Switch. It’s got everyone really excited. Nintendo has really hit a home run with the way they announced it with Breath of the Wild, and Skyrim even! Who would have thought you could play Skyrim on a Nintendo system?!

Though as of right now, there is no Breath of the Wild content on this tour. 

Unfortunately, no. We have arranged a piece and have chosen our visuals, but we’re still in the process right now of getting it ready.

I know the game was supposed to come out this year before it got pushed back to 2017. Were you guys getting ready to launch that piece this year before the postponement? 

Honestly, no. You probably know as much as I do this point! We just kind of react to information as it comes out. I hope what we put together is as complete as it can be based on what we have seen. I don’t get any special insight!

So no spoilers for me tonight.

Nah, no spoilers! This leg of the tour covers everything right through 2016 with Twilight Princess HD. We have a new intermezzo, and a new arrangement based on Triforce Heroes. Hyrule Warriors is third party, so we didn’t include that one. We have about 12 minutes of new music from last season’s Master Quest, but we’ve never performed Master Quest here in Newark at NJPAC, so it’s essentially a new show.

I really do think we’re about to enter a whole new era for Nintendo with the Switch, as you said. I think they’re really on the verge of picking themselves up and going full force, and it’s great. That said: would you consider an all Nintendo concert? 

Of course! That’s a given. I pitched it… [pauses, smiles] I’m working on it!