Celeste OST: Difference between revisions

'''Celeste Original Soundtrack''', abbreviated to '''Celeste OST''', is the official release of Celeste's soundtrack. It is written, performed, and mastered by [[Lena Raine]], and spans twenty-one tracks of varying lengths totaling to around 100 minutes.

It is available on a variety of platforms, notably [https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/album/celeste-original-soundtrack on Bandcamp (where 24-bit FLACs may be downloaded)], but also on iTunes, most digital download stores and most digital streaming services. The success of ''Celeste'' and its critically-acclaimed soundtrack allowed Lena Raine's works to be officially available on 12" LP, Compact Disc and cassette.

Practically all A-Side music from the the game, up to {{cho|8|lf=1}}, is included within this album. Some tracks, especially [[Cassette Tape]] 8-bit remixes, shorter jingles such as level-end ones, and cinematic (cutscene) music are included in the [[Madeline's Grab Bag]] album, which is complimentary to this album and offered for free on Bandcamp. {{cho|9|lf=1}}'s soundtrack is included in a different album, [[Celeste: Farewell OST]]; B-Side remixes are included in the [[Celeste B-Sides]] album.

Several remixes of the Celeste OST, as well as instrumental covers, have been performed for the Celeste Original Soundtrack. Some have even received Lena Raine's blessing herself, and are featured on [https://lena.fyi her website].

{{Spoiler minor|level=all chapters through [[Core]]|level2=all aforementioned chapters|Note that all major spoilers will be censored out: hovering your mouse over the censored text, or selecting it (on mobile platforms), will reveal the text hiding behind.}}

'''First Steps''' is the main soundtrack played in {{Ch|1|lf=1}}. It reintroduces the "Madeline" ''leitmotif'', and further builds upon it, creating Forsaken City's melody. A synthesizer plays the melody, whilst a piano performs the harmony; ''[[Madeline's Grab Bag]]'': {{soundtrack|num=09|track=First Steps (Piano Only)}}, a piano version of this song, plays in certain "hidden" sections, notably ones outside of the titular city. Unlike many other tracks within ''Celeste''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s soundtrack, only a single tune which isn't subjected to various variations appears. This song has a [[Celeste B-Sides|B-Side]] remix, {{soundtrack|num=01|track=First Steps (Sever the Skyline Mix)}}.

'''Resurrections''' is the main soundtrack played in {{Ch|2|lf=2}}. It introduces a completely new melody, with its own ''leitmotif'', and starts off relatively calmly, but builds up over the course of its nearly-ten-minute length. An upwards-arpeggio melody is well defined, possibly representing Madeline's climb upwards [[Celeste Mountain]], whilst a piano harmony gently creates contrast behind. The two sometimes go into a state of dissonance, depicting the unpredictability of dreams. After a cutscene {{c|in which [[Madeline]] meets [[Badeline]] for the first time, and the latter pops out of a mirror}}, the music becomes livelier, adding percussion, and the piano harmony increases in prevalence, to which point it starts acting as a counterpoint to the synthesizer. This happens at around 2:10 in the OST.

Lena Raine stated in an interview that she wanted to make Resurrections sound distinct from the theme featured in ''First Steps''. "Because {{c|all of Resurrections takes place in a lucid dream sequence, my first goal was to make an etherial sound evocative of a space that didn’t seem quite real}}."<ref name="int1">http://www.originalsoundversion.com/interview-composer-lena-raine-talks-celeste-soundtrack-working-in-game-audio/</ref>

'''Awake''' is a remix of the theme featured earlier in ''Resurrections'', but solely on the piano. The same piano harmony that formed the first half of the aforementioned song makes a return, but as the melody. Other leitmotifs from the song are present throughout.

'''Checking In''' is the first soundtrack used in {{ch|3|lf=1}}. It plays throughout the ''Start'' chapter and the first portion of ''Huge Mess''. The tune creates a relatively mysterious ambience, whilst still introducing the "Resort" ''leitmotif'', which serves as [[Oshiro]]'s theme. Initially, the synthesizer forms the bulk of the melody here, whilst the piano serves as a light counterpoint; more synthesizers are added until they form a perfect harmony; in-game, these are added as Madeline progresses through the level. A [[Celeste B-Sides|B-Side]] remix, {{soundtrack|num=03|track=Celestial Resort (Good Karma Mix)}}, is officially present within the game.

'''Quiet and Falling''' is the first soundtrack used in {{Ch|5|lf=1}}, prior to the ''Unraveling'' checkpoint. Its first half primarily consists of a piano and synthesizer harmony, with a piano melody added later; the second half calms down significantly, uses the synth as a melody, and becomes more "mysterious" in tone. The soundtrack does not vary much as different keys are found and doors are unlocked, primarily in order to make depict Madeline's emotions more thoroughly. A [[Celeste B-Sides|B-Side]] remix, {{soundtrack|num=05|track=Mirror Temple (Mirror Magic Mix)}}, is based off ''Quiet and Falling''.

'''In the Mirror''' plays following the ''Unraveling'' checkpoint in {{Ch|5|lf=1}}, until the end. It introduces a much more eerie, synth-powered melody, coinciding with {{c|Madeline's anxiety starting to peak, and her starting to face [[Seekers]] attacking her}}. Lena Raine stated that she tried to reserve heavy synths only for moments when {{c|Madeline's fears}} are truly apparent; {{c|this happens also in ''Anxiety'' and ''Starjump''}}.<ref name="int1">http://www.originalsoundversion.com/interview-composer-lena-raine-talks-celeste-soundtrack-working-in-game-audio/</ref> Shortly afterwards (after Madeline makes it to a {{c|large chamber with split paths}}), a reversed version of ''Quiet and Falling'' is introduced. The piano is brought back later, playing a slightly modified but retrograde version of the aforementioned track, as the synth melody from the first part of the track is reintroduced (as Madeline approaches the temple's exit); unreversed sections of the melody were mixed in, in order to suggest that the end is near.

When ''In the Mirror'' is reversed, Madeline, voiced by Lena Raine, can be heard talking about {{c|her own anxieties}}; when played back normally it merely sounds like glitch sounds in the audio.

'''Reflection''' plays during the ''Lake'', ''Hollows'' and ''Reflection'' sub-chapters of {{Ch|6|lf=1}}. It starts with a soft, {{c|mildly depressing}} synthesizer melody, {{c|one that depicts Madeline's disappointment in herself as she realizes how far she has fallen}}. The melody eventually starts becoming more lush and filled {{c|as Madeline gets closer to Badeline}} throughout the chapter.

'''Little Goth''' plays during the "Resolution" sub-chapter of {{Ch|6|lf=1}}, {{c|following Badeline's boss fight and the "Level Up" cutscene}}. Once again, the "Madeline" ''leitmotif'' makes a reappearance. Unlike much of the songs in the previous few chapters, it is exclusively played on the piano.

'''Exhale''' plays during the {{Ch|Ep|lf=l}} following {{Ch|7|lf=1}}, and during the credits following the Summit. It is played on the piano (primarily), with a synthesizer joining along at a few moments in order to serve as a harmony.

'''My Dearest Friends''' is the final track in the Celeste OST, and plays during the credits (when opened from the main menu). It is primarily on the piano, but is also accompanied by a synthesizer. It is a very calm track. Lena Raine stated that this track didn't fit in well with the rest of the game, but was a fitting goodbye nonetheless.<ref name="int1">http://www.originalsoundversion.com/interview-composer-lena-raine-talks-celeste-soundtrack-working-in-game-audio/</ref>

* Most of the Celeste OST was composed using the Ableton Live digital audio workstation, with the exception of ''First Steps'', which being one of the earliest tracks composed for the game, was composed using Cakewalk SONAR.<ref name="int3">https://medium.com/@kuraine/what-software-do-you-use-ceacbf0f5665</ref>