VIOLET EVERGARDEN

In 2025, the number of high-quality anime available is simply staggering! There’s something for absolutely everyone, whether you enjoy romance, action, or just a simple “slice of life” anime—you’re bound to find something that suits your taste.

But how many of them have an OST like Violet Evergarden?

Yes, I admit it—I’m not exactly objective! But this anime, with its sheer beauty and a story that is both touching and heartbreaking, is elevated by the stunning music of Evan Call.

But who is Evan Call?

Evan Call (born June 29, 1988) is an American composer and arranger working in Japan. He has composed music for multiple anime series, such as Violet Evergarden, Muv-Luv Alternative, and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Call was born in California, U.S., on June 29, 1988. Thanks to a friend in middle school, he discovered and became passionate about Japanese anime and video games, which encouraged him to compose orchestral music. After graduation, he attended Berklee School of Music, specializing in film scoring. It was during a trip to Japan that he was introduced to Junpei Fujita, with whom he began working at the Elements Garden studio.

The rest is history!

Now, let’s talk about the OST of Violet Evergarden.

This soundtrack is divided into two CDs, and today we’ll focus on the first one while exploring how Evan Call’s music enhances this anime.

Disclaimer: I’m not here to give a deep dive into composition or harmony. Instead, I’ll briefly explain what makes certain tracks memorable. Opinions shared are my own!

Album overview

First, let’s talk generally about this OST before breaking down some of the tracks. What strikes us immediately is Evan Call’s perfect mastery of orchestration. Knowing which instruments to pair together, when to hand the melody to the flute or let the bassoon take center stage, when to be grandiose with a full tutti, or when to evoke pride using only the brass section. Not to mention how he uses the strings to touch our hearts and bring us to tears, or to fill us with hope! Despite his relatively young age compared to other established composers in the industry, Evan Call displays extraordinary talent by delivering one stunning piece after another. Additionally, 99% of his works are purely orchestral—something rare in animation these days—and I’m all for it!

Now, let’s analyze some compositions from this OST.

Theme of Violet Evergarden

Right from the start, we notice Evan Call’s subtlety and gentleness.

The violins play a long harmonic note, while the celesta (or perhaps the glockenspiel) delivers a delicate background melody. Light and airy choirs join in, accompanied by violin trills and the sound of Violet Evergarden’s typewriter.

The choirs and celesta fade away, making way for woodwinds and violins, which weave a tender and melancholic melody, punctuated by piano notes like ink drops on paper.

A solo violin takes the lead, followed by the cello in a beautifully romantic exchange.

And then…what a surprise!

Crescendoing timpani and cymbals sweep everything away, revealing the core of this work. The violins, with energetic staccato, introduce a new melody, accompanied by the piano, the typewriter’s clatter, and a subtly saturated electric guitar, transporting us into a new adventure! No time to dawdle—this is a race toward happiness that Evan Call wants us to feel.

Percussion grows even more prominent in the second half of the theme, while violins soar to join the choirs, taking us to a place where anything seems possible.

Then, without warning, everything fades, returning to gentle melancholy, allowing the violin, piano, and celesta to speak once more. Perhaps a reminder to cherish happiness while it lasts?

Theme of Violet Evergarden perfectly blends melancholy and hope, crafted with skill and subtlety. Evan Call uses every tool at his disposal, including Violet’s typewriter! A masterpiece.

Unspoken Words

Where Theme of Violet Evergarden showcased an energetic side, Unspoken Words takes us in a very different direction.

The piano, solitary, speaks in a few notes. The gorgeous reverb lets us savor the beautiful harmonics. Flute and violins join in, with the oboe making occasional appearances. Then, the clarinet steps into the spotlight, playing high notes—an uncommon choice for this instrument. Soon, the oboe and flute harmonize with it, accompanied by piano and vibraphone (an unexpected touch!).

All of this unfolds in a slow, sparse melody, as if we’re floating.

Then comes part B. On first listen, this section surprised me.

A simple melody played by violins in harmonics and vibraphone, echoed by clarinet, glockenspiel, and piano—and that’s it.

The piece ends with a few celesta notes, leaving us hanging. Like words that will never be spoken.

I find this composition brilliant. We’re constantly waiting for something that never fully arrives, like an “I love you” that will never be heard.

A Simple Mission

Ah! My favorite track! It has everything I love. Let’s dive in.

First: THE BASSOON TAKES CENTER STAGE! What a joy to see the bassoon in the spotlight! It’s an instrument I adore for its dual role as a supportive backbone and a fantastic soloist, especially in its high register.

The beginning of this piece is a playful call-and-response. You can easily imagine the bassoon delivering a grand speech in a public square, with other instruments chiming in. But the bassoon won’t stay center stage for long!

The clarinet returns, presenting the main theme alongside energetic, precise violins. You can feel the excitement—perhaps the thrill of a first mission?

Then a romantic solo violin, accompanied by piano, steps in. But the clarinet, unwilling to yield, reclaims its place, only to be overtaken by the oboe, joined by violas, cellos, and basses!

Yet the bassoon, persistent, seeks the spotlight again.

Will it have the last word? No!

Enter the tuba, trombones, French horns, and trumpets!And finally, the clarinet and violins conclude this lively discussion.

This track showcases Evan Call’s impeccable rhythmic control. He knows who should play, when, and how, delivering a dynamic composition that keeps us engaged and thrilled. 2 minutes and 17 seconds of pure joy!

Ink to Paper

Much like Unspoken Words, Ink to Paper keeps us guessing about where it’s headed.

The harp-only introduction feels ethereal and timeless. But violins and woodwinds soon enter, as if pulling us from a dream, urging us to look elsewhere. The clarinet gently returns us to that magical world, accompanied by the celesta. The violins intensify, this time joined by French horns, trumpets, and woodwinds.

A duality forms as choirs guide us to a new theme led by the clarinet, which tries to anchor us in its enchantment. Yet violins, insistent, pull us away once more before reemerging, accompanied by brass and woodwinds. The piece ends this way.

Perhaps it’s a reminder that the worlds in our minds sometimes need to be expressed—like ink forming words on a page.

Once again, Evan Call demonstrates his genius, orchestrating with masterful skill to convey deep emotion.

A Place to Call Home

Another mood shift!

This track carries the feel of traditional Irish music.

Once again, the choice of instruments is striking, revealing Evan Call’s musical versatility. The introduction, played on a viola da gamba, evokes a baroque charm and the familiar tones of many JRPGs—instantly nostalgic. It’s joined by a lyre, then a tin whistle, whose adventurous call leads to a warm, nostalgic string quartet.

You can almost smell grandma’s freshly baked cookies.

This track is both simple and complex—simple in instrumentation, yet intricate in its choices and harmonies.

Evan Call’s talent and love for music shine once more as he masterfully stirs our emotions.

Conclusion

It’s clear: the Violet Evergarden OST is a triumph. It transports us from magical wonderlands to lively, hope-filled moments, while also delivering profound melancholy. Evan Call’s composition talent allows him to harness the full orchestra, creating surprising combinations that perfectly match the visuals.

I’ve only scratched the surface of the first CD, so I can only urge you to listen to the full album. In my eyes, it’s a gem. You’ve guessed it—my score is a perfect 5!

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