Dear Friends

WELL I figured I'd better finish my writeup on the Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy concert before I take off for spring break or else it will never happen. So here we go!

(This next paragraph was written about a week ago so that explains the apparent time travel.)

I'm now back in Santa Barbara after Monday's Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy concert. The concert did not disappoint; tickets sold out (although I did spot a few empty seats), Symphony Silicon Valley performed a strong (if a little conservative) lineup of songs, and Nobuo Uematsu himself was in attendance and received countless rounds of applause at various points throughout the night.

This was the set for the evening:

  • Final Fantasy VIII - Liberi Fatali
  • Final Fantasy X - At Zanarkand
  • Final Fantasy VI - Terra
  • Final Fantasy IV - Theme of Love
  • Final Fantasy V - Dear Friends
  • Final Fantasy IX - Vamo' alla Flamenco
  • Final Fantasy VIII - Love Grows
  • Final Fantasy VII - Aeris's Theme
  • Final Fantasy IX - You're Not Alone
  • Final Fantasy XI - Ronfaure
  • Final Fantasy I-III Medley - Prelude, Main Theme (FF1), Matoya's Cave (FF1), Elia, Maiden of Water (FF3), Chocobo theme, Theme of the Rebel Army (FF2)
  • unspecified Final Fantasy VII Advent Children piece
  • Final Fantasy main theme
  • Final Fantasy VII - One Winged Angel

Not too many surprises based on past concerts and orchestrations, but a fine lineup nonetheless. I'd say my favorites had to be Zanarkand (presented in a new orchestral arrangement), Ronfaure, Dear Friends, the Rebel Army theme and, of course, the final two pieces.

Although the Symphony Silicon Valley were absolute professionals, the evening had an awkward feel to it, and it wasn't because half the people in attendance were either way over- or underdressed. (I saw someone in a full tuxedo, cloak, and hat standing a few feet away from someone in jean shorts and a Gameskins t-shirt.) The crowd often accompanied their applauce with wild cheering, overhead screens showed video sequences from the more recent games during each piece, and a horrible, horrible "mistress of ceremonies" took the stage every so often to read from cuecards about how she, apparently one of the Sacramento Kings' cheerleaders who got loose, was so thrilled to be there for this historic event and make generally pandering conversation littered with lines like, "I highly recommend Ronfaure for your next vacation." On one hand, I would have liked if the event organizers had planned the show to be a little more like a traditional orchestral concert, but somehow I think a Final Fantasy concert that took itself too seriously would be even more awkward.

Emcee and jean shorts aside, though, the concert was a fun experience, and Uematsu got up and spoke at the end to let everyone know how honored he was to have so much support even overseas. Plz come back soon Mr. Uematsu!! (Also tell Koichi Sugiyama and Hitoshi Sakimoto to come along with you.)

OK BOSTON TIME

Comments (1)

March 17, 2005, 2:59 PM

mrog »

Yay, you finally updated about the concert! It was really fun to go with you.

FIRST POST HAHA