crossing field - Sword Art Online OP [Piano]

Sheet music → mymusic.st/animenzzz/41466
Crossing Field is probably one of the most iconic anime songs of the last decade and one of the early hit songs from LiSA. For the longest time I already had a basic idea how the full version should sound like on the piano but I never had the time to properly sit down and polish the ideas floating in my head until a few days ago.
It was quite a challenge to translate LiSA's overpowering vocal performance into a piano solo piece. Interestingly, the final arrangement turned out to be more "soft" than expected, especially in the beginning and ending part. Maybe my personality has become more gentle since 2018 (笑)
Anyway, this piano arrangement is following the same song structure as the original song and I used my usual variation ideas for the repeating parts. The biggest technical difficulty was the left hand pattern in the second chorus at 2:05. I was imagining a group of string instruments playing a tremolo (fast repetitions) for this part and I tried to imitate it with the left hand.
The only place where I took some freedom in arranging was the bridge part starting at 2:38. I used a slightly different harmonization in the left hand but overall, I tried to keep a similar atmosphere like the original song. In a way, this arrangement feels like a piano cover from my "old arrangement style" in 2015. Especially the arpeggios in the final chorus in 3:37 is a technique I often used in my earlier arrangements.
People who have known me for a long time might still remember that I used to harshly criticize the first season of Sword Art Online due to its abundant use of story cliches and... well, Kirito just being an overpowered Main Character. But honestly, after last week's rewatch of SAO - and with a fresh mindset - it wasn't as bad as I remembered. In fact, I actually found it quite entertaining in its own unique way.
I guess I was way too serious about Anime in my past. I still remember I was actually writing detailed anime reviews for a certain German websites back then. It was really part of my dark history (笑). But honestly, after watching so many Anime series, I eventually stopped being an elitist and I just try to enjoy any kind of Anime genre.
Well then, next week's piano arrangement has been decided already and it's going to be another nostalgia song from the year 2009! It's also one of my more challenging arrangements for a while.
I hope I can manage to record it by then and as usual -
see you next week!
Animenz
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Piano arrangement by Animenz
Original Song: Crossing Field
Anime: Sword Art Online / ソードアート・オンライン
Published by: Aniplex 2012
Composed by: Sho Watanabe / 渡辺 翔
Performed by: LiSA
#crossingfield #swordartonline #piano #SAO #LiSA

[@wote2760]

Those first notes literally took me back to my high school days when I first discovered SAO and anime in general

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Whether or not one may like SAO, their ost's, openings and endings are impeccable.

[@Yo-Me]

SAO might be trash but it's my trash goddamnit!

[@forg4308]

I still think that Animenz should add a place to contribute to his channel like patreon. I know I would take part along with others

[@winstonthepooh9388]

People who hate SAO or those who still love SAO, we all can at least gather here and appreciate the song. Like it or not this song is such a nice thing everyone can relate to, because both sides of SAO which basically splits the anime community to be honest, can agree with the nostalgia this brings everyone.

[@ThunderKeyZ]

Oh boy here comes the

[@aronaoi]

No matter how many haters there are I love SAO and all the amazing soundtracks it has brought into our lives.

[@Cheucheublox]

Sao will always hold a place in my heart

[@chessylex]

just realised animenz's pfp might be shizuo heiwajima

[@TheAlva]

I can see Animenz using many tenths here.

[@Animenzzz]

アニメそのものの評価は分かれるかもしれないけれど、せめて素晴らしいOPとED曲（そしてゴージャスなサウンドトラック）があることはみんな同意できると思う。今まで「シルシ」「Swordland」そしてこの代表曲「Crossing Field」をアレンジしてきました。そして将来このSAOピアノアレンジリストがもっと追加されるかもしれないです (´・ω・`)

[@anthonysung3738]

Kirito:

[@Sagashiiii]

I’ve been waiting for this cover for 8 years 😳

[@hakai1488]

That part at

[@Ice-qm1ru]

I've watched a lot of Animenz' compositions. Maybe too many, but not once have I commented on a video. So that would make this my first time commenting on his video. Every piece that Animenz' makes just keep getting better and better. I mean, it has always been good but seeing his progression just makes me put a smile on my face.

[@RafikelJar]

No one:

[@Ask_LyRc]

me: sees Animenz preview

[@RakanilMusic]

The

[@JawZz]

Nostalgia, Emotion, Memories, they all hit me at once....

[@user-vw3iu1fq2o]

Just rewatched SAO these week. classic as always.