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GBA

Final Fantasy Music Goes On Tour

by Jonathan Metts - December 14, 2004, 7:29 am EST
Total comments: 6 Source: Square Enix Press Release

Missed the "Dear Friends" concert in LA? Have no fear, Uematsu is going on tour, starting in Chicago.

'Dear Friends -Music From FINAL FANTASY-' Concert Series to Kick Off February 19, 2005, in Chicago

Success of First Stateside FINAL FANTASY Orchestral Performance Generates Tour Celebrating Video Game Music

# LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(TM) interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that a FINAL FANTASY® symphony concert series will kick off on Saturday, February 19, 2005, at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, IL. The concert, to be performed by the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and the CPO Festival Choir, will be the first in a series of long awaited concerts in North America featuring award-winning music from Square Enix's world-renowned FINAL FANTASY video game series. Outstanding graphics will tie memorable moments from the video games along with the scores on massive screens during the performance.

"After the fantastic support received at the first concert in Los Angeles, I am thrilled and honored to extend the experience to Chicago," said series composer Nobuo Uematsu. "I'm looking forward to sharing the moments with those who love the music and games of FINAL FANTASY."

"The first FINAL FANTASY concert in the U.S. brought fans from far and wide together in Los Angeles to share in an unforgettable musical experience," said Ichiro Otobe, president and COO of Square Enix, Inc. "We are pleased to announce that, due to the overwhelmingly positive response, a North American tour will soon bring the emotionally moving and powerful scores to fans across the country."

The 2-hour program produced by Uematsu, will be conducted by Grammy award winning Arnie Roth, music director and principal conductor of the Chicagoland Pops. This concert is presented by the orchestra in association with Jason Michael Paul Productions. VIP tickets will be available for this performance, offering fans a meet and greet opportunity with Uematsu. All tickets including the VIP meet and greet are available at the box office, Ticketmaster locations, by credit card at 312-559-1212 or on the internet at www.ticketmaster.com/venue/32892.

Building upon the success of the 2002 FINAL FANTASY concert held in Japan, Square Enix announced a six-city, seven-show tour of Japan titled "Tour de Japon -Music from FINAL FANTASY-," for 2004. The first stateside concert, "Dear Friends -Music from FINAL FANTASY-," followed on May 10, 2004 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA and sold out in three days. It featured music from Square Enix's world-renowned FINAL FANTASY video game series, performed by the acclaimed Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The positive reception of this performance gave rise to the U.S. concert series beginning next year.

Video game music has grown increasingly popular in the last few years. With the technology available in today's gaming consoles, video game music has moved beyond the stereotypical blips and bleeps of its predecessors and become far more sophisticated. Music plays an integral role in today's games, enhancing players' overall experience. While still a growing market, video game soundtracks are now sold in major outlets and include a variety of genres such as rock, hip-hop, electronica, classical compositions, and songs performed by popular artists. The FINAL FANTASY soundtracks, which are original compositions, have grown so popular that Time magazine named series composer Nobuo Uematsu a notable "Innovator" in its recent "Time 100: The Next Wave -- Music" feature. Square Enix hopes to pioneer awareness and appreciation of not only its own musical creations, but also video game music throughout the industry.

Talkback

ArtimusDecember 14, 2004

I really hope it comes to Toronto.

TMWDecember 14, 2004

Man...it sucks living in the Southwest. We don't ever get stuff like this near here.

However, I am up for flying to Chicago come February.

nickmitchDecember 14, 2004

What kind of attire would be apropiate for such a concert?

DjunknownDecember 14, 2004

Any Chicago natives know what type of place Rosemont theatre is?

I know if it came to Detroit, it would either go to the Fox Theatre or maybe the Detroit Opera house. Both would probably 'suggest' proper attire, though at the DSO, a Tuxedo or something. It is an Orchestra afterall.

EDIT: Said Roseville by mistake. Whoops!

FamicomDecember 14, 2004

What type of place....well they hold WWE wrestling events there as well as anime/comic conventions, and the yearly circus and "on ice" events. But I've never had the pleasure of going to tell you firsthand. Damn too lazy to drive parents.

RobageejamminDecember 15, 2004

Quote

"We are pleased to announce that, due to the overwhelmingly positive response, a North American tour will soon bring the emotionally moving and powerful scores to fans across the country."


oh man, this is great news. Maybe more concerts like "Smashing Live" and the "Mario and Zelda Big Band" will cross over in time. I just hope they get a reeaaalllyyy good response from the tour.

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