Like most RPG fans who played games from the 90s, I absolutely adore the Chrono series.

Last year I decided to experience Chrono Cross again via the new remaster.  During my playthrough, a short 6/8 piano idea for the song, “Burning Orphanage” popped into my head, and after playing around with it, I decided to try building it up into a full song.

It eventually evolved into this, what I think would be classed as a kind of haunting and wistful prog rock song with piano being the main driver, but also accompanied by the usual fair of rock drums, bass, synth leads, organs, both layered and lead electric guitar parts, strings, and mellotron choir.  Some parts of the song are perhaps faintly influenced by bands like King Crimson, some of Steven Wilson's solo music, as well as stuff by The Black Mages.

Once most of the first half was fleshed out (which was originally just going to be the whole arrangement), I realized one night that I could smoothly transition into the song “Silent Light” from Chrono Trigger, so I incorporated that as a slower second half.  Eventually I figured out a way to transition it back to Burning Orphanage with a mellower tone to close out the song.

The progression of the arrangement is recounting Kid’s trauma of fighting and surviving Lynx’s attack on the orphanage (first half with "Burning Orphanage"), but then wandering alone after her escape (second half with "Silent Light") and eventually finding peace (back to a slower "Burning Orphanage"), but not necessarily closure.

The actual scene from the game is one of the most heart breaking and climactic events from the whole series, IMO, and I wanted to try giving it even a fraction of justice.

Lost Orphan (Chrono Cross & Chrono Trigger "Burning Orphanage" & "Silent Light" arrangement)

I'm a singer/songwriter, composer, and producer currently focused on rock/pop and video game music.

Lost Orphan (Chrono Cross & Chrono Trigger "Burning Orphanage" & "Silent Light" arrangement)

AzureKevin