Saturday, May 23, 2009

Distant World: Music From Final Fantasy

Highlights From Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy

ABOUT
Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY commemorating the 20th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY. Featuring the music of Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu and conducted by Grammy award-winner Arnie Roth.

The award-winning music from SQUARE ENIX's world-renowned FINAL FANTASY video game series performed by the full orchestra and the state of the art videos and art stills shown on massive screens will highlight the games most memorable sequences and thrill audiences.

Coupled with Victoria Chorale (form VJC) and Vocal Consort.

Guest Performers
Anna Koor Chooi Choo
- Mezzo-Soprano

Kee Loi Seng
- Tenor

William Lim
- Baritone

Repertorie
FF VIII: Liberi Fatali
FF X: To Zanarkand
FF VIII: Don't Be Afraid
FF VII: Aerith's Theme
FF I-III: Medley 2002
FF V: Dear Friends
FF IX: Vamo' alla Flamenco
FF XI: Raonafaure
FF Series: Main Theme

Intermission

FF VII: Opening - Bombing Mission
FF VIII: Fisherman's Horizon
FF XI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds
FF IV: Theme of Love
FF series: Swing de Chocobo
FF VIII: Love Grows
FF VI: Opera "Maria and Draco"

Encore
Eyes on Me
One Winged Angel

LineUp:
Singapore Festival Orchestra
Victoria Chorale
Vocal Consort

Personal Views.
Impressive. There are only 3 trumpets but yet the sound was "gigantuan" AWESOME guest principal trumpeter there! When he did the Chocobo theme, there was a very bright chirpy sound, despite with the mute on... impressed impressed. His other solos were awesome too. Very neat tongue-ing and there were many on-the-verge-of-cracking notes which i've always wanted to do... Flutes were loud too though there are only 2-3 of them... Yep, Piccolo has his on-the-verge-of-cracking notes too... Oboes (2) were particularly impressive, as though it was "telling stories". Piano is fine, wasnt particularly impressed. Trombone (3) was strong, neat, big-sounding notes too, very "warm" sound... Band was pretty small (though plentiful of violins, cello and viola) but it sounded like some 50-70people band. Perhaps good acoustics of Esplanade Concert Hall helped in amplifying the sounds.... Shant comment on winds/ percussion since i wouldnt make a good reviewer anyway.

And guess what? Nobuo Uematsu was THERE IN PERSON. He was really comical. Dressed in simple traditional Japanese clothes (i dun really know what you call 'em), he stood next to the choir group to "sing" one winged angel.

Was really really really ecstatic that they played one winged angel during the encore.
That's my favourite song in the whole FF series
"Eyes on me" was in Arnie Roth's version, not the usual kind we always hear...

Impressed.

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