Final Fantasy

:This article is about the Final Fantasy series as a whole. For the video game Final Fantasy, see Final Fantasy (video game)

Music

:Main article: Final Fantasy music

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Nobuo Uematsu was the chief music composer of the Final Fantasy series until his resignation from Square Enix in November 2004. His music has played a large part in the popularity of the Final Fantasy franchise abroad. In the 2004 Summer Olympics, the American synchronized swimming duo consisting of Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova were awarded the bronze medal for their performance to music from Final Fantasy VIII. Uematsu is also involved with the rock group The Black Mages, which has released two albums of arrange Final Fantasy tunes. Other composers who have contributed to the series include Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano.

Related Topics:
Nobuo Uematsu - Music composer - November - 2004 - 2004 Summer Olympics - Synchronized swimming - The Black Mages - Arrange - Masashi Hamauzu - Junya Nakano

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There have already been two successful runs of Final Fantasy concerts in Japan as of 2004. Final Fantasy soundtracks and sheet music are also increasingly popular amongst non-Japanese Final Fantasy fans and have even been performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. On November 17, 2003, Square Enix U.S.A. launched an America Online radio station dedicated to music from the Final Fantasy series, initially carrying complete tracks from Final Fantasy XI in addition to samplings from Final Fantasy VII through Final Fantasy X. Many video game and MIDI world wide web sites offer renditions of Final Fantasy musical pieces.

Related Topics:
Soundtrack - Sheet music - London Symphony Orchestra - November 17 - 2003 - America Online - Final Fantasy XI - Samplings - MIDI - World wide web

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Due to overwhelming demand, and the overwhelming success of the first Final Fantasy concert performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 10, 2004, the concert tour was established, starting February 2005. Music from Final Fantasy was first performed outside of Japan as a part of the Symphonic Game Music Concert series in Germany. The Final Fantasy soundtracks have also joined the catalogue of the iTunes Music Store.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra - Walt Disney Concert Hall - May 10 - 2004 - February - 2005 - Symphonic Game Music Concert - Germany - ITunes Music Store

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While the music in the games offers wide variety, there are some frequently reused themes. The games often open with a piece called Prelude {{audio|Final Fantasy I - Prelude.ogg|(Final Fantasy NES sample)}}, which is actually based off one of Bach's preludes. It is a simple arpeggio theme in the early games, with further melodies added in later games {{audio|Final Fantasy IV - Prelude.ogg|(Final Fantasy IV SNES sample)}}. The battle sequences {{audio|Final Fantasy I - Battle Scene.ogg|(sample)}} that end in victory for the player in the first ten installments of the series would be accompanied by a victory fanfare {{audio|Final Fantasy I - Victory!.ogg|(Final Fantasy I NES sample)}} that used the same nine-note sequence to begin the fanfare, and it has become one of the most recognized pieces of music relating to the Final Fantasy series. Other memorable tunes include the Chocobo's theme {{audio|Final Fantasy II - Chocobo's Theme.ogg|(Final Fantasy II NES sample)}}, the Moogle's theme {{audio|Final Fantasy V - Critter Tripper Fritter!.ogg|(Final Fantasy V SNES sample)}}, and a piece originally called "Ahead On Our Way" in Final Fantasy I {{audio|All Sounds of Final Fantasy I & II - Ahead On Our Way.ogg|(Final Fantasy I NES sample)}}, which was in fact the opening theme and which is now usually played during the ending credits of the game and called "Prologue".

Related Topics:
Bach - Preludes - Arpeggio

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