BLOG -- Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy @ Sony Centre (Decemer 6th, 2014)

So this is my second time attending Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy. And after the concert, I already know that it won't be my last. Simply put, Distant Worlds was an awesome show, and I can't wait to attend the next one.

If you want to read about my first experience of Distant Worlds, here is the link: http://ironixgirl.blogspot.ca/2012/04/blog-distant-worlds-music-of-final.html

Yes, I'm re-using the same screenshot from my last blog about Distant Worlds.

Me and Final Fantasy (Current Status)

So in my previous blog about Distant Worlds, I talked briefly about my history with Final Fantasy. Now I'm just going to update you on which series I've been exposed to since. And frankly, not much has changed.

The Final Fantasy games I've beaten are still just IV, V, and VI. I guess I can also add XIV: A Realm Reborn, but that probably won't end for a long, long time, hahaha. In terms of exposure, I've still played just some of I, III, VII, VIII, and IX. I haven't experienced anything of X to XIII, though I am hoping that will change in the future. I would totally like to have more of an appreciation for the music and not get spoiled the next time I attend Distant Worlds.

Currently, even though I'm terribly addicted to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy VI is still my favourite of them all -- game-wise, story-wise, character-wise, AND music-wise.

The Little Details

Date of Concert: Saturday December 6th, 2014
Venue: Sony Centre (Toronto, Ontario)
Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Price Total: $84.00
Seating: Balcony Aisle 1, Row D, Seat 53
Went with: Sister, her fiance, and two friends

7:30-ish PM -- @ Sony Centre

So what did I do as soon as I got in? I went straight to the souvenir stand. I was really glad that they were not selling JUST a poster and T-shirt, like at previous video game-themed symphonies I attended. There were actually stuff I wanted to buy. A crowd was already forming, but I knew that it would be wayyy worse after the concert. I might be a little off on the soundtracks, but the souvenir shop was selling these items:

Programme -- $10
T-shirt -- $20
Postcard Collection -- $20
Static Arts Trading Figure: Tifa -- $35 
Static Arts Trading Figure: Cloud -- $35
Static Arts Trading Figure: Sephiroth -- $35
CD (Music From Distant Worlds) -- $15
CD (More Music from Distant Worlds) -- $15
CD (A New World: Intimate Music from Final Fantasy) -- $15
CD (Earthbound Papas Album) -- $25
CD (Final Fantasy IV Original Remastered Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy V Original Remastered Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy VI Original Remastered Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy X Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack) -- $45
CD (Final Fantasy XIII-2 Original Soundtrack) -- $45

Below is what I bought:

From left to right, top to bottom:
-CD (A New World: Intimate Music from Final Fantasy) -- $15
-CD (More Music from Distant Worlds) -- $15
-CD (Earthbound Papas Album) -- $25
-CD (Music From Distant Worlds) -- $15
-Postcard Collection -- $20
-CD (Final Fantasy VI Original Remastered Soundtrack) -- $45

Even though I already have the original soundtrack of Final Fantasy VI, I was curious just how much of an "improvement" the remastered version would be. I was tempted to buy the figures, but since I never beat Final Fantasy VII, I had no real attachment to any of those characters. Now if they were selling figures of Locke, Celes, or Terra from Final Fantasy VI... <3.

Programme

If I missed listing any performances, please let me know.

FF Series: Prelude
FF VIII: Liberi Fatali
FF Series: Victory Theme
FF I, II, III: Main Theme Medleys
FF IX: Melodies of Life (vocal: Susan Calloway)
FF V: Main Theme
FF VII: Main Theme
FF VIII: Eyes on Me (vocal: Susan Calloway)
FF Series: Chocobo Medley (original arrangement)

-- INTERMISSION --

FF III DS: Main Theme
FF XIII -Lightning Returns-: Light Eternal
FF XIII: The Promise
FF X: Hymn of the Faith
FF X: Zanarkand
FF VI: Character Theme Medley (Terra, Kefka, Celes, Locke)
FF VI: Balance is Restored
FF IV: Battle of the Four Fiends
FF XIV: Answers (vocal: Susan Calloway)
FF Series: Battle Theme Medley (Clash on the Big Bridge [V], Fight with Seymour [X], Those Who Fight [VII])
FF Series: Main Theme

Encore
Final Fantasy VII: One-Winged Angel (with Nobuo Uematsu!)

8:00 PM-ish -- First Half

So, unlike my previous blog about Distant Worlds, I'll just be summarizing how I felt about the concert, instead of describing what happened. I guess my writing style's changing. Anyway...

Just like in other video game symphonies I've attended, the orchestra was on the stage while a big screen was above to show accompanying game footage to each piece.

The main themes were okay. The Chocobo Medley was upbeat and fun. Liberi Fatali was great as usual. What really stood out for me, though, were Melodies of Life, and Eyes on Me. Those songs -- wow. Susan Calloway was great as the vocal. I could really feel the emotion. I cried a little during Eyes on Me.

One thing that I'd like to say is that I was impressed and very appreciative whenever the conductor (Arnie Roth) introduced a piece and said they were performing it because it had never been performed before in Toronto. That tells me that they are trying to perform new pieces and give a new listening experience to the audience. So thank you for keeping track! :)

Oh, and just to mention, Nobuo Uematsu was there with us as well!! XD

9:00 PM -- Intermission

Nothing happened during intermission. I just did my StreetPass stuff on my 3DS. If you ever attend a video game-themed symphony and you play on a 3DS, bring it to the symphony. You will get a lot of StreetPasses!

9:15-ish PM -- Second Half

There were a lot of good pieces in the second half! Zanarkand was sooo beautiful. Such a sombre, hopeful, hopeless, yearning tune. For that piece, I just sat there, soaking up all the sounds and emotions and feeling... elated. Haha, music can really do that to me sometimes.

I also really liked the Character Theme Medley from Final Fantasy VI. Though... I think it would have been even better if it was a medley piece of ALL the Final Fantasy VI character themes. I would have especially liked to hear Rachel's Theme, Gau's Theme, and Edgar's Theme. I enjoyed Balance is Restored as well. Really, any piece from Final Fantasy VI is just a treat to my ears.

Answers from Final Fantasy XIV was performed really well. It's a little embarrassing, but that was the first time I ever listened to Answers in its entirety. Whenever it loads up after being idle on Final Fantasy XIV's main menu for too long, I would cancel the video and start playing the game.

The Main Theme at the end was really nice. I thought it was cute and smart to do a credits roll during that piece.

So... even though you're not allowed to record performances, I did with my cell phone. No video -- only the audio (and in really bad quality). You know, as a personal souvenir. And because I know that doing this won't stop me from continuing to spend money on the series (I mean, I spent over $100 just that day on souvenirs). If you'd like to listen, here is one recording (no video, so just hit play and continue doing whatever else). Remember: the quality sucks. So make sure to attend a Distant Worlds concert near you to possibly listen to it in its full glory. ;)

Battle Theme Medley

-Clash on the Big Bridge (FFV)

-Fight With Seymour (FFX)

-Those Who Fight (FFVII)

10:10-ish PM -- Encore

So the encore piece was the same as last time. While I'm not a big fan of One-Winged Angel, I was excited when Nobuo Uematsu went up onstage and sung along with the chorus. The audience was also encouraged to chant "Sephiroth" at the cued times. I didn't join in, but it was a really fun experience. Uematsu looked so... adorable, doing small bounces to the beat. I could really sense his excitement! XD The show ended around 10:30 PM.

Overall Experience

I was very satisfied with Distant Worlds. Not sure if I was going to get treated to the same tunes as last time, I was happy to feel that whoever put together the setlist (I think it's Arnie Roth?) was thinking about the audience experience.

And for that reason, if I can afford it, I am going to attend every Distant Worlds concert that comes to Toronto from now... until the day that reason doesn't seem present any more (if that would ever happen. Please don't let it happen!).

After the concert, the souvenir stand was totally packed... like I predicted, hahaha.

The souvenir stand BEFORE the concert.
Yes, it's a bit crowded.

And now...

The souvenir stand AFTER the concert.
I don't know if you can see, but some of the items were already sold out.

Now for something a little random:

Cosplay of Kefka and Terra from Final Fantasy VI.

If you enjoy playing Final Fantasy games and listening to its music, I highly recommend you check out Distant Worlds. My ears have already been satiated twice and I am still hungry for more.


If you have any comments, feel free. Thanks for reading! :)

BLOG -- Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy @ Sony Centre (March 31st, 2012)

This blog will be about my thoughts and experience at Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy concert. It's a concert featuring Final Fantasy music, performed by an orchestra and choir (when needed). Final Fantasy is a video game series. I have to say right now, I enjoyed it very much!! XD

Me and Final Fantasy

I've been a fan of Final Fantasy ever since I was... maybe 7 or 8? One day I was watching my brother try out a bunch of video games (NES games) that he borrowed from his friend. Some of them were interesting and some were not. Then he tried out a game that really got my attention.

He was moving a character around a huge map and got into random battles with monsters. At that time, that kind of game was very different for me. During one battle, one of the characters lost a lot of HP. The character suddenly fell to his knees. The moment I saw that, I had an intense yearning to help the character. This was pretty much my thought process: You're on your knees... let me help you back up... I want to help you... (even back then I was so geeky, lol)

When I found out that the game was called Final Fantasy, I made sure to remember it so I could play it one day (my brother only borrowed that game for one day). Years later, I got exposed to Final Fantasy III (really Final Fantasy VI), and completely fell in love... It drove me to play Final Fantasy II (really Final Fantasy IV), then Final Fantasy V. I eventually tried Final Fantasy I, but stopped after cursing it and its horrendous need for level/money-grinding.

Something I've always enjoyed about Final Fantasy was the music. Heavy, fast-beat battle tracks... slow, lingering ballads... goofy, light-hearted tracks... intense, energetic tracks... and of course, the beautiful harp solo... Nobuo Uematsu (composer for Final Fantasy I - XI and XIV) did a great job in creating music that would capture and convey those tense, happy, cheerful, sorrowful, anything-ful moments. I still sing the opera song from Final Fantasy VI in the shower sometimes...

The Little Details

Date of Concert: Saturday March 31st, 2012
Venue: Sony Centre (Toronto, Ontario)
Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Price Total: $55.00
Seating: Balcony Aisle 2, Row K, Seat 21
Went with: Sister and her fiance

7:30-ish PM -- @ Sony Centre

There were a lot of people already there. Inside, there was a big crowd around the souvenir stand. My sister's fiance and I checked it out. I was set on buying the programme (if the price was reasonable). The souvenir shop was selling these items:

T-shirt -- $20
Programme -- $15
CD (2008 concert) -- $15
CD (2010 concert) -- $15
DVD (some concert) -- $25
CD (Final Fantasy XIV Battle tracks) -- $20
CD (Final Fantasy XIV Field tracks) -- $20
CD (Reunion tracks) -- $20 (no idea what this was, it sold out before we got there)
CD (Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack) -- $50

I think if the T-shirt was in a different colour (not grey), I may have bought one. If the Battle tracks CD was a compilation of battle tracks from all the Final Fantasy games, I would have bought that in an instant. Instead, I settled with the programme.

After that, we headed up to the auditorium doors, which was still closed. As we walked around, we passed by somebody dressed as a white mage. He was at the bar, getting drinks. Immediately, I thought, he's trying to build up his fire skills (by becoming more flammable). Then the auditorium doors opened and everybody went in. From where I sat, it looked like a full house.

Programme

FF Series: Prelude
FF VIII: Liberi Fatali
FF Series: Victory Theme
FF VIII: Don't Be Afraid
FF IX: You're Not Alone
FF IV: Theme of Love
FF VIII: Fisherman's Horizon
FF X: To Zanarkand
FF XI: Ronafure
FF XIII: Blinded By Light
FF Series: Swing de Chocobo

-- INTERMISSION --

FF VII: Opening - Bombing Mission
FF VI: Dark World
FF V: Clash on the Big Bridge
FF VII: Aerith's Theme
FF VIII: The Man With The Machine Gun
FF VI: Opera "Maria and Draco"
FF VI: Terra's Theme

Encore
Hehe, you'll find out later.

8:15 PM-ish -- Music Start!

Arnie Roth (the conductor) was a bit late. Once he showed up, everybody clapped. As he raised his baton, the crowd went silent. Then... this beautiful, serene harp piece slowly filled the room. Eventually, it was accompanied by the choir... then by other instruments. It was a fantastic beginning. I just sat there, soaking in the lovely harmonies -- and the nostalgia.

Once that piece was over (Prelude -- Final Fantasy series), everybody clapped and cheered. Then the choir started chanting slowly... then quickly... then the orchestra went into full force with a fast-paced piece (Liberi Fatali -- Final Fantasy VIII).

So... even though you're not allowed to record performances, I did with my cell phone. No video -- only the audio (and in pretty bad quality). You know, as a personal souvenir. And because I know that doing this won't stop me from continuing to spend money on the series. If you'd like to listen, here it is (no video, so just hit play and continue doing whatever else):

Prelude and Liberi Fatali

Every piece was a musical delight -- even the pieces from Final Fantasy games I have never played (have not played any Final Fantasy game after IX so far -- still need to beat Final Fantasy VII). There was a huge screen above the stage and footage from Final Fantasy would sometimes play (corresponding to whichever piece was being performed). It was really neat! I really enjoyed You're Not Alone (Final Fantasy IX), Theme of Love (Final Fantasy IV), and To Zanarkand (Final Fantasy X). Theme of Love brought so many memories... I almost cried, lol.

9:00 PM -- Intermission

As soon as the Intermission started, I got out my DS and went into PictoChat. I waited for a few minutes... then five... and nobody joined. I was so sad... people don't PictoChat anymore? I was really looking forward to it.

Then I went down to the lobby to meet with an old friend who also attended the concert. I have to say this about the Sony Centre auditorium: those stairs are soooooo steep!! Many times, I had that vertigo sensation, thinking that I would tumble down on the next step (I grabbed whatever ledges I could). On the way to the lobby, I saw somebody dressed as a black mage and had to take a pic.

Black mage

After meeting up and chatting with my friend, a bell rang to tell us to get back to our seats. When I went back (walking up those steps was sooo tiring), I saw my sister and her fiance PictoChatting with each other.

PictoChat!

9:15-ish PM -- Second Half

The first piece after the intermission started off slowly... then strong, fast-paced drums followed (Opening - Bombing Mission -- Final Fantasy VII). It was great.

Afterwards, Arnie Roth introduced the next piece and told us that Nobuo Uematsu would also be performing (on the condition that he performed as well). Everybody cheered and clapped. Nobuo Uematsu appeared and took his place by a double-keyboard. Arnie Roth took a violin. The orchestra began, and Nobuo Uematsu came in, expertly playing the grim tones to Dark World (Final Fantasy VI). Arnie Roth later joined in, adding to the sorrow. It was very nicely done.

Before Aerith's Theme

After Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V), Arnie Roth introduced the next piece (Aerith's Theme -- Final Fantasy VII). Then he said, "Before I do that [play Aerith's Theme], pay very special attention -- a message from Cloud. He has a very important message for us." 

Everybody's eyes went to the screen. A scene with Cloud and Aerith on a grassy area appeared. Then a huge speech bubble appeared. At the top, some letters slowly appeared and formed the name "Cheryl Murray,". No response from the audience (probably confusion -- who's Cheryl Murray?). Then the rest of the speech bubble was slowly filled with this: "Would you please do me the honour of marrying me?" Some people said, "Ah...", then everybody started cheering and screaming once we realized it was a marriage proposal! Then the spotlight suddenly fell on a couple on the balcony level. The guy gave a huge thumbs up and everybody cheered and clapped. It was so exciting, sweet, and romantic!

Rest of the Concert

I deeply enjoyed the last pieces. I have such an immense love for Final Fantasy VI music. Opera "Maria and Draco" (Final Fantasy VI) was performed by three soloists, and they were singing in English which was cool (though not following the SNES translation, but not sure how faithful that was to the Japanese text anyway). Personally, I think that Terra's Theme (Final Fantasy VI) was the best performed piece of the night. There was such... sincerity in it. I can't really describe it.

After Terra's Theme, everybody clapped and cheered. Once Nobuo Uematsu appeared, almost everybody stood up and continued clapping. Then Nobuo Uematsu and Arnie Roth left. A few minutes later, they appeared again.

10:10-ish PM -- Encore

I'm not saying anything about the encore. You can just listen to it below. I'm sorry if you can't hear all the conversations. I generally don't like this piece (I think the beginning is way overused in fanstuff), but I really enjoyed this. If you couldn't catch the name of the piece, I'll mention it at the end of this blog. The show ended around 10:30 PM.

Encore!

Overall Experience

This was a concert that really did take me to a distant world... I greatly enjoyed the pieces played. I was glad that they played many of the older Final Fantasy music -- the music I grew up listening to. After the concert, the souvenir shop was totally packed -- much more than before the concert.

The tiny souvenir stand and all those people.

I took a pic of another group of cosplayers:

From Final Fantasy XIII

All and all, this was a truly fantastical experience. The next time it comes back to Toronto, I'll be there. Going to a distant world isn't that far after all. :)

Thanks for reading! :)

Encore:
Final Fantasy VII: One-Winged Angel