愛しているから X SADISTIC LOVE :: 亀梨和也.KAT-TUN.V6.長野博.小池徹平.タッキ&翼.WaT.Lee Junki「이준기」.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Simply amazing. Breath-taking. Brilliant. Stunning. Mind-numbing. Fantastic. Excellent.

Bravo.

I went to the concert, "Distant Worlds ~music from FINAL FANTASY~" today, with Angie and BoonTiang. And it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good.

It was held at the Esplanade Concert Hall, and is conducted by Arnie Roth, performed by SFO and the Victoria Chorale. There was also guest stars like a guitar player and 3 opera singers. The formation itself was impressive. There was this huge projector screen where they showed various clips of the different shows/games where the music is taken from, like for example, when they played Aerith's Theme, clips of FFVII came onto the screen. Man, wasn't it cute! The atmosphere there was great, all of us were excited about the whole concert, and when it finally started, we cheered madly.

I saw a Legend.

Nobuo Uematsu came.

Madness ensued while we cheered. He was really cute in that outfit. Some sort of Japanese shirt and pants, typical Japanese slippers and headband. Haha. So cute. Anyway, he sat in the crowd and the show proceeded on when Arnie Roth, the music director/conductor of the tour came on stage, and the show was on! The orchestra played "Liberi Fatali" from FFVIII and after that, Arnie Roth gave some introductions and small talk.

Here's the programme for the day:

1. FF VIII: Liberi Fatali
2. FF X : To Zanarkand

3. FF VIII: Don't Be Afraid

4. FF VII: Aerith's Theme
5. FF I-III: Medley 2002
6. FF V: Dear Friends

7. FF IX: Vamo'alla Flamenco

8. FF XI: Ronfaure
9. FF series: Main Theme

- Intermission-

10. FF VII: Opening - Bombing Mission

11. FF VIII: Fisherman's Horizon

12. FF XI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds

13. FF IV: Theme of Love

14. FF series: Swing de Chocobo

15. FF VIII: Love Grows

16. FF VI: Opera "Maria and Draco"

** Encore pieces: ?(I forgot) and One-Winged Angel

I would comment on all of them, but it'd be tiring... So I shall choose a few only.

The first one would be FFX: To Zanarkand, since I don't really understand choir stuff and all... Angie said it was only ok, but I felt that it was commendable. The orchestra was really blended in well, and the piano was really cool. There was parts where they could improve, like the emotional part, you know, can be better with more emotions put in.

Next would be FFVIII: Don't Be Afraid. This was rather impressive. Love the brass sound. It was also very moving, and the video shown on the screen was very compatible.

Ahh. One of the highlights, FFVII: Aerith's Theme. Before attending this concert, I did not really like this piece, as I thought it was a little boring, and I tend to side with Cloud more when it came to FFVII. However, after listening to it, I felt that I had to change my views. It was really sweet. And the piano was good. Love the way the strings play. And the solos were so touching! Love the video again.

The piece FFI - III: Medley 2002 brought back fond memories of the game. And everyone laughed at the ridiculous graphics we had back then. And the transition from song to song were good. There was an element of fun in their tone. The musicians were clearly enjoying, :D.

There was a guitar player for both Dear Friends and Vamo'alla Flamenco. Well. He was better in the latter, and I think I didn't enjoy Dear Friends quite as much. Sigh. A disappointment I guess.

One of my personal favourites from this concert would be FFVII: Opening - Bombing Mission. Oh man. This was damn damn damn impressive!!! I love the intro, and when the brasses came in, it was stunning. The fast part played by the piano was so cool, and good! The brasses that came in later were awesome. Love it! It was simply fantastic.

The main theme was Distant Worlds, so naturally, the theme song would have to be FFXI: Memmro de la Stono: Distant Worlds. The orchestra was fantastic here too. It was the vocalist that made me frown. She was not impressive at all. A little rough and the emotions were not the correct ones that is to be portrayed. I know I'm not good at commenting on choir stuff, but please, she sound so much worse than the one we hear in the game.

Love FFIV: Theme of Love. Another favourite. It was so sweet. And the solos were good. Love the way the orchestra plays it. And I love the video.

FF series: Swing de Chocobo was another impressive piece. But honestly, an alto sax might sound better than the trumpet/cornet solo! (Couldn't see...) Anyway, that was just a pang of jealousy that I felt since saxphones do not exist in orchestras, and when I saw the soloist playing. The drums were fantastic, the percussions were great in this piece. Overall, well done from the soloists! Very groovy and moving piece. And the video was hilarious.

FFVIII: Love Grows is another of my favourite! It is quite nice, and the sad emotions really cane through during the performance. A must-hear! Love the video as well. :D

Another two vocalists came for the last performance, FFVI: Opera "Maria and Draco". This was more impressive, and the tenor and baritone impressed me, except for the mezzo-soprano ne.

The conductor had denied us long enough, but he gave in last minute and had One Winged Angel on for us. Oh boy. Hell did break loose. I swear several people lost their voices screaming at the announcement. Not me though. Really love this piece! And I bet those SFO too. They played this piece so well! Love the whole thing! The brasses were fantastic here, and the strings sound sooooooo good! Man. It was the best piece played! No words can describe the feeling I had when I was listening to it!

Anyway, after the concert, we stayed a while to see Nobuo Uematsu and Arnie Roth, took some photos and we left.

Oh ya. Ms Chong was playing in it too. :D Saw her, and I am very impressed with her playing!!! Yes, I CAN HEAR HER. YAY. That means I have once again improved. :D

mesmerised on 11:50 PM

Friday, May 01, 2009

I know my blog has been like dead for the past months, but I can't help it.
And I would not be able to update as often any more too...

Anyway, the Mid-Year exams are still on-going, so I hope everyone would study hard!!!
I have began to lose faith... Well. I guess that's fate.
Many teachers are leaving us... But not Ms Low. Haha.
But it's sad!!! Ms Lee, our beloved Chemistry teacher, left us yesterday... Apparently, she resigned to work in the healthcare line? I can actually imagine her working as a nurse. Lol, but she is sooooooo nice! Mr Tan too... He's our Geography trainee teacher and I do like his way of teaching. I like to slack and learn things in the fun way... Heh. I also like his accent... Hmm. But today's his last day...

Oh well.

mesmerised on 2:06 PM

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Song: 愛しているから by 亀梨和也 (Because I Love You by Kame)
Lyrics: (will provide romanji or translation soon.)

例えば　もしこの夜　僕が君を失ったとしても
忘れないよ　僕は君を愛しているから

短いKISSを　そっと交わすと　月明かりの中に
やわらかく　感じるたび　こぼれる愛情

笑い声とか　悲しい顔も　沢山見て来たけど
初めて見るその姿は　僕をとまどわせた

カギかけて　そっと心の中に
ありがとうさえも　君の心に届けてなくて

果てなく続く線路（みち）の中に　君は何を思うの
忘れないで　その心のそばに　そっと居させて

悔しい気持ち　闇に隠して　ふざけていたあの頃
退屈な大人になる　予定だったけど
　
カギかけてた　心　そっと開けて
ありがとうという言葉　君に今届くかな？

果てなく続く線路（みち）の中に　君は何を思うの
忘れないで　その心のそばに　そっと居させて

君との日々　そっと思い返しては
一人じゃないこと　君が僕に教えてくれた

君が苦しいときは　誰より味方になると決めた
忘れないで　僕は君を　愛して...

例えば　もしこの夜　僕が君を失ったとしても
忘れないよ　僕は君を愛しているから
忘れないで　僕は君を愛しているから