Right now, I feel blessed that I live in Sweden. This tiny little country in the north, where RPGs hardly get released, we suffer from the slow PAL-system for our TV-systems and basically every game out there are put on the store shelves 6 months after the rest of the world.
But something has shifted. It all started back in 2006 when the first PLAY concert was held in Stockholm. It was an immensely huge success. This summer, PLAY returned to us, performing no less than twice on the same evening. And as if that wasn’t enough, on December 4th, we Swedes were spoiled to the max as the world premiere of the brand new Final Fantasy concert Distant Worlds, came to brighten the spirits in the beginning winter.
I went with my brother, as I always do, and once again, you could cut the excitement with a knife. But before I let you know what went on in the concert hall, let me tell you my first thoughts as I saw the concert’s program, which looked like this:
- Liberi Fatali – FFVIII
- To Zanarkand – FFX
- Don’t Be Afraid – FFVIII
- Aeris’ Theme – FFVII
- Medley 2002 – FFI-III
- Dear Friends – FFV
- Vamo’ alla Flamenco – FFIX
- Main Theme – FF Series
- -intermission-
- Opening ~ Bombing Mission – FFVII
- Fisherman’s Horizon – FFVIII
- Memoro de la Stono ~ Distant Worlds – FFXI
- Theme of Love – FFIV
- Swing de Chocobo – FF Series
- Opening – FFIII DS
- Love Grows – FFVIII
- Opera “Maria and Draco” – FFVI
Now, I have to be honest, I was really disappointed. They gave FFIX’s brilliant soundtrack one measly slot, and they gave that away to a tune that plays in the background during the Chocobo Hot and Cold game? I was baffled. Then they show off with four songs from the not-so-good FF VIII soundtrack. I couldn’t believe my eyes. And of course, a Chocobo-tune has to be thrown in there somewhere, and I don’t know why really, we know the Chocobo-theme, we hear it in every new FF-game, so is it really necessary? It’s hardly one of Uematsu’s greater songs… And last, not least, but definitely the most recognizable of all FF songs, Aeris’ Theme, also a disappointment, because I’ve heard this song being played to pieces by now. Enough already! There are many other great songs that I would love to hear in a concert, but that will never seem to happen.
Anyway, back to that night when me and my brother had entered the great hall. It was sold out again – of course – it always is. There were people who cosplayed, one was the evil villain Kefka from FFVI and one was Kadaj from the FF movie Advent Children.
We didn’t really know what to expect this time around. Only FF songs, of course, but would it be better than Play (I doubted it) and would there even be video sequences to the music? Well, they had put up the big screens, now just to see what would be shown on them.
Conductor Arnie Roth enters the stage and declares that he now sees Stockholm as his home away from home, since he’s been here so many times. As he directs his eyes towards the Philharmonics a flash of blue comes onto the screen. A crystal is shining bright with the number “VIII” written in front of it. Then the logo from FF VIII is shown and when the choir starts to sing I hardly have time to catch my breath – the entire intro of FF VIII is playing on screen! I am filled with utter joy and excitement. If you remember what I wrote about the first PLAY concert, this is what it was lacking. We still loved it, but this brought the experience to new heights. I even forgot that I’ve heard this bloody piece so many times. Seeing Squall and Seifer battle it out, and an angelic Rinoa in a field of flowers brought tears to my eyes. I had no idea I missed them so much.
The way Liberi Fatali was introduced was the same for all the other pieces. When To Zanarkand starts to play, I hardly know what to do with myself. Here is a brittle, sad and beautiful piece, composed for the piano, but rearranged to make use of the violinists. I have to say, that this was my favorite piece of the whole evening. I was so close to tears, there was a depth in the piece that I simply couldn’t imagine. The only thing that makes me sad is that this song was not included on the Distant Worlds CD. How they could make that choice (in favor of a Chocobo tune I wonder?) is beyond me.
After that mind-blowing experience we are suddenly seeing Squall, Zell and Rinoa on screen. They have just arrived in Dollet and the group is running into the city. Suddenly the image is torn and the orchestra starts playing. At first, I have no idea what is going on, but then it all makes sense. What happened was that they were thrown into a fight and now the battle theme of FF VIII, Don’t be Afraid, is playing. The set-up is amazing, and loud cheers are coming from the audience.
The whole evening continued in this fashion, with wild cheers, applauds and tear-filled eyes. When Aeris’ Theme was playing and we got to see tender moments between her and Cloud, I bet there was not a single dry eye in the audience. The medley was a lot of fun, because we got to hear some other songs for a change.
The song that really stood out this evening was Bombing Mission. I thought this was an excellent song to choose, because it really set the mood for FFVII, many people’s favorite RPG. Another great song was Memoro de la Stono, a truly amazing and breathtaking piece of music.
Although the intro to the concert, really set the stage for one unforgettable evening, what really blew me away in the end – was in fact the end. The finale was brilliantly taken on by the opera scene from FFVI. The cheering didn’t want to stop. But of course, that wasn’t really the finale. There were two extra numbers and the first one, I think no one saw coming.
It was Terra’s Theme from FF VI. People cheered so loudly and I thought I was going to faint. This was the moment I had been waiting for. Sadly, due to a staff roll integrated with the fabulous intro to FF VI, there were random applauds all through the performance. Bad, really bad. I could hardly hear the tune at all.
And then, last but not least, the Philharmonics blasted off with One-Winged Angel. On screen where not only footage from FF VII, but also, (and mostly in fact), were scenes from Advent Children. After this the audience went ballistic and the standing ovation never seemed to end. Nobuo Uematsu entered the stage not only once, but three times, due to our heavy applauding.
In hindsight, I am positive that this was the best concert I’ve seen so far. Sure, I was skeptical at first, but I was proven wrong. Even some of the more “this-I’ve-heard-before” songs put a smile on my face or sent chills down my spine. And I know why. It was the videos. They were so perfectly matched with the orchestra playing that all my annoyances went out the window. Still, next time around, no Chocobo songs please.