"A New World: intimate music from Final Fantasy" was amazing and it really was just that: intimate.
400 tickets and a small ensemble of some incredible musicians, including the Navarra String Quartet (oh my gosh the emotion they put in to their playing was incredible. Fragments of Memories from FFVIII was beyond spectacular when they performed it), Benyamin Nuss (the most amazing, precise and clean pianist, and he's so young!!) and Nobuo Uematsu himself on the keyboard for a jaw dropping performance of 'Dark World' from FFVI.
Every single arrangement was new and stunning and the small size of everything and the breathtaking acoustics of LSO St. Lukes made the whole package truly exceptional with such a different feel that felt so incredibly personal.
AND GUESS WHO WAS SAT ONLY FIVE SEATS AWAY FROM US????
ONLY THE MAIN MAN HIMSELF- NOBUO UEMATSU.
Oh gosh it was just wonderful I nearly cried. Every time I glanced over he was bobbing his head along to the music and aodijfaosjdf.
I also have insane respect for Arnie Roth, who was the conductor for the evening again. I never knew how mindblowingly good he was on the violin. He's also got a real sense of humour; one of his performances of 'Blinded by Light' near the end didn't go as well as he wanted so he made the pianist repeat the last section so he could do it again. *grin* Uematsu got the giggles and the whole atmosphere was just lovely.
I was a little disappointed that there was nothing from FFIX, which is not only my favourite soundtrack, but Uematsu-san's as well. However it was really great to see some of the more overlooked final fantasy's getting the attention they deserve.
The arrangements I can remember weeeeere....
One Winged Angel -FFVII
Eruyt Village- FFXII - Piano solo (I would sell a kidney to get my hands on that sheet music
Fight with Seymour - FFX INSANEarrangement for string quartet. My jaw dropped.
Town - FFI - Fab arrangement, I could totally see it working for big band.
Red Wings - FFIV - HNGH. Strings. That's all.
Elia Maiden of Water - FFIII - Guitar Solo , slightly disappointed that the chorus wasn't more complex, but I'm no guitarist and the finger picking sounded *hard*.
Chocobo Medley - Various - Featuring a sliding whistle courtesy of Eric Roth. Everyone laughed their butts off.
Moogle Medley - Various - Yes. Yes good.
Fragments of Memories - FFVIII - Stunning arrangement. Truly.
Rebel Army- FFII - Asdfg <3
Those Who Fight - FFVII - Piano Solo - askcarlossquared and I were playing along on our laps as we both know this one. We were grinning our butts off.
The Promise / Blinded By Light - FFXIII - Beautifully haunting duet between Arnie Roth on the violin and Benyamin on piano.
Gustaberg - FFXI - Piano Solo - Made me wanna play FFXI. Heck.
Decisive Battle - FFVI - My eyes were watering it was so good.
Dark World - FFVI - This was definitely one of the hightlights. The arrangement was just epic and having Uematsu and Roth duetting sections together was amaaaazing.
A New World - FFV - FFV continues to have some of the most pretty music.
Troia - FFIV - Cello and guitar duet. Gorgeous. So relaxing. Made me wanna finish my Amano Edward costume.
To Zanarkand - FFX - I think most of the audience teared up here. Luckily it was at the end.
Force Your Way - FFVIII - Encore piece. Ohmygod. Another highlight. The arrangement was INSANE and there were two drum fills that had me holding my breath. I was very very *very* impressed and hnnngh.
I think I remembered pretty much everything..
It was simply... wow. I can't wait to buy the CD when it comes out.
