Hiroki Kikuta's Liner Notes from the Seiken Densetsu 2 OSV

Music is not a message.

In my own case, for example, music has become my personal means of 
expression of the emotions and impulses that pour forth from my heart, but
I never think of it as a mere symbol.

Generally, the range of sounds that are called "music" is expected to evoke
a particular emotion in a certain situation; in circumstances where the 
defining mood must be swiftly established, such as a dramatic cutscene, 
"music" can be an extremely effective device for doing so.

What I want to say is that music cannot degenerate into just a simple 
"symbol" corresponding to a particular given emotion or occurrence.  Music
cannot be a message.  Music is not supposed to be a means of reporting the 
circumstances and situation at hand (in other words, a message).

I'm aware that my viewpoint might be regarded as extreme, but, for me, 
music is _the_ _thing_.  I do not think that those who take it upon 
themselves to use "sound" to bypass the wall of words and language and
appeal directly to the heart should aspire to shape the final form of the
music through their own inherent qualities and traits  -  be it their 
thoughts, their emotions, or matters that they can't grasp on a conscious 
level  -  through their personal causes or their attempts to strive to 
become a better person, or through any of the "little things that make one
who they are".

I do not want to tell you anything in creating music.  I want to share with
you beauty and the important things that lie in the human heart.  When I'm
creating a joyful song, I want that joy to feel genuine for me.  When I 
create a song of sorrow, that despondence should truly break my heart.  
That is why I believe that what is true  -  what is not a lie  -  is the 
precious treasure that is the basis of all communication.

When I started on this "Seiken Densetsu 2" project, I at first didn't think
I'd be able to do this "game music" stuff.  Expressing "myself" in music 
and expressing "the game Seiken Densetsu 2" in music, while sharing a few
similiarities, were basically different.  I realized that joining these two
contrasting styles together into one concept would create "something" that
wouldn't be either pop music or game music  -  and that became the starting
point for my job.  I was told beforehand that undertaking such a project on
the Super Famicom would be risky with its hardware and software 
limitations, and, sure enough, I encountered many problems along the way.
Maybe I really just tried everything and threw everything I had at this 
project, but I believe my defiant creative attitde was the saving grace 
that saw me through.  Now, looking back, I am thankful that my efforts were
not in vain.

In closing, I'd like to acknowledge all those who have supported me until
the final publication of this work.  I send you my whole-hearted gratitude.

Hiroki Kikuta


Translation by R. Capowski at RACapowski@sceneryrecalled.com; scream at her 
if you notice any errors.  Seiken Densetsu 2 and all related doodads are 
property of Squaresoft and Hiroki Kikuta, with whom I have nothing to do 
with.  Please do not republish or repost this document without the 
translator's permission.