SCP Foundation

So I'm already writing Mr. Finale preemptively; it'll be a pretty good tale series. Finale's main anomaly is music-related but I figured I'd ask what people think of when they think of "finale" in a musical context, and how that can apply to an anomaly.

what people think of when they think of "finale" in a musical context,

My instrumental music background is pretty exclusively classical, so I tend to think "ending of symphonies" when I hear "finale". This can usually just mean "the movement at the end of a symphony", but usually there's a fair amount of epicness and triumph that accompanies a finale. There's plenty of discussion about this sort of stuff:

• "10 Most Epic Symphony Finales" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGVAaVOyzEA
• https://www.reddit.com/r/classicalmusic/comments/2gxjkj/rclassicalmusic_what_is_your_favorite_epic_finale/
• http://www.informatics-tech.com/top-ten-most-epic-classical-pieces.html (there are some finales here. I like the Firebird/Stravinsky one myself. The 1812 Overture finale is a pretty well-known piece too. It's got cannons. I think it was used in V for Vendetta? This version has the old-timey cannons at the right time, starting around the 14:10 mark (NOTE, LOUD NOISES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxgYlcNxE8 and then later the entire orchestra just goes nuts at 14:31 and it's amazing.)

and how that can apply to an anomaly.

Operas and ballets often have stories, as is the case with the Firebird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebird_(Slavic_folklore)

Some other famous ones:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Flute#Synopsis
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen#Synopsis
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake#Synopsis

Of course, the endings to those works have to wrap up the story and also look dang impressive to finish up the suite. Maybe take a look at live performances with dancers/opera singers for inspiration? Kind of just spitballing here.

I have no musical background, so my concept of a finale is just a big, energetic way to end something that doesn't leave you wanting. Specifically, a true finale should bring all of the major elements and themes of the work together, either directly or in some form of homage, while resolving any plots or conflicts that haven't already been dealt with. As you can tell, I'm thinking about this in a more literary or theatrical sense than you are.

As for the anomaly… one thing that always disappoints me about bands is that they never have a proper finale. You never see a band get together and play all their hits, put on the best show of their lives, and then end things on a high note; you don't get everyone together with ypur best guest stars to put out one last album that highlights the band's strengths and disrinctive style(s). Bands always peter out over time, switch members around, and generally milk their relevance for diminishing returns before splitting up unceremoniously.

Maybe Mr. Finale could do something to remedy that?

I'm not sure how far into the Tale you are but to me, with an amateur passion for listening to all different kinds of music, from screemo to classical to EDM to alternative to mainstream pop. I find that the songs I like best have Finales that can be best described as the calm after the storm. That feeling you get when you know everything is over and the rebuilding or analyzing can begin. To me the best pieces don't finish with the bang but finish with the awe and impression that is left AFTER the bang. They build up they climax and then they ride the wave.