Benyamin Nuss

Events, Game Music

Dreams of Zanarkand – Final Fantasy X Concert In Germany This October

September 14, 2016 | Brenna Wilkes | 2 Comments Share this

Fans of Final Fantasy X will be getting treated to a special concert in Cologne, Germany on Oct 8, 2016. “Dreams of Zanarkand – Final Fantasy X” will be performed by the WDR Orchestra, who also did all the “Symphonic” Game Music Concerts 2008-2011 by Thomas Böcker, with piano performed by Benyamin Nuss and arrangements created by Masashi Hamauzu, who composed on Final Fantasy X with Nobuo Uematsu, and Benyamin Nuss.

“Dreams of Zanarkand” marks the first time a video game music concert in Europe has been dedicated to solely one game. Events of the game will be narrated by Maxi Gstettenbauer, a comedian and game tester. If you speak German, you can find out more information on the event’s Facebook Page, as well as purchase tickets for the October 8th showing.
Game Music, Japanese

World of Final Fantasy Collector’s Edition Pre-Order Available Now

July 26, 2016 | Shawn Sackenheim | Comments Off on World of Final Fantasy Collector’s Edition Pre-Order Available Now Share this

That a new Final Fantasy game is going to release in a sprawling Collector’s Edition with a soundtrack sampler is no surprise. We’ve known for a while that World of Final Fantasy — the action/RPG mashup of Final Fantasy fan service and monster raising — would have its own limited edition bundle but Square Enix has finally announced the wallet-busting details.

Exclusively available from the Square Enix Online Store, the $120 Collector’s Edition features an elaborate pop-up book style package that includes the PlayStation exclusive game on disc, an 80-page hardback art book, three figurines and, of course, the Selections from Grymoire album. The tracklist hasn’t been revealed yet but details surrounding the music are slowly getting out there ahead of the October 25th release.

In an interview with Nova Crystalis, composer Masashi Hamauzu talks about creating the score and mentions that around 50 songs comprise the full soundtrack. With the game mashing up fan favorites like Squall and Lightning it’s no surprise that Hamauzu had the chance to create new arrangements of classic themes to accompany his original compositions. Guest composers and collaborators will also be involved but the only one Hamauzu has mentioned is German pianist, Benyamin Nuss. Nuss is no stranger to Final Fantasy having performed in both Distant Worlds and Symphonic Fantasies concerts as well as releasing his own tribute album, Plays Nobuo Uematsu.

If $120 is a little steep or if you just can’t wait to hear more from the game you can check out several preview tracks from YouTube user MasashiHamauzuFan. And don’t miss a fresh new trailer for the game up above. Are you planning on picking up this ridiculous Collector’s Edition or aiming for the more sensible $60 Limited Edition? Let us know in the comments.
Featured, Game Music, Reviews

Returning To Perfection: Symphonic Fantasies Tokyo (Review)

June 22, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 7 Comments Share this

3 years ago, I sat anxiously waiting for the orchestra to appear from the sidelines. With a curious gaze towards the stage and the many surrounding me, the shared excitement was palpable, and whispers echoed in the Philharmonic Hall as the seated audience prepared to experience game music evolved. I was at Symphonic Fantasies in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall on September 12th, 2009, and on that night, with tears in my eyes, I experienced what is the greatest video game music symphony ever produced.

Since that day, many shows have come and gone, many concerts have been set up around the world, but the impact that Symphonic Fantasies had on the industry is undeniable; it changed the playing field entirely. Audiences wanted more, deeper arrangements, pure production designs, greater stories. Simple medleys did no longer suffice; Symphonic Fantasies proved that game music, like any music, can become something much greater by understanding its message, its intentions, its soul. But even with a subsequent CD release, the demand was high from the eager fans to experience the concert for themselves. It was therefore that Thomas Böcker took his production and team to Japan at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, and returned home to the birthplace of the orchestral game music concert and the Square Enix video games, to show that the concept had evolved, and the music which so many hold dear, has grown up to become something much larger. The result was 2 sold out shows in Japan, heralded in the press and by its peers as a true achievement not easily matched. It was due to this success, that the decision was made to once again provide fans around the world the opportunity to hear Symphonic Fantasies in the form of an album release.

But is it worth the purchase a second time around? Find out after the jump! (more…)
Miscellaneous

The Most Exotic Journey Of The Year: Benyamin Nuss’s Exotica Out Now!

June 16, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 4 Comments Share this

Benyamin Nuss has since an early age amazed and left a worldwide audience in awe with his masterful piano performances. Nuss is not only a virtuoso of precision, but one of the most melodically honest performers in classical music, his music is heartfelt, gripping and daring, allowing listeners of any age to truly feel the music due to his incredible powerful and passionate renditions of both classic and contemporary scores. In 2010, Nuss released his debut album Benyamin Nuss Plays Uematsu on the prestigious label Deutsche Grammophon under the auspices of Universal Music, breaking new grounds and making history with his incredible tribute to the most famous video game composer of all time. Now the young man from Germany is ready to go even more exotic for his next album.

Exotica is a collection of inspired works blended together to create a journey unlike any other, a theme of classical music merged and molded to feel new, exciting and exotic as only Benyamin Nuss can provide. On this journey we meet Claude Debussy, as his “Estampes” served as a great influence on the album, along with Darius Milhaud, Charles Tomlinson Griffes, Alan Hovhaness, Martin Torp and even Masashi Hamauzu. Nuss also features his very own Elegy for Fukushima, making this not only an experiment of exoticism, but also a gift with a heart, and with a soul Jonne Valtonen also contributed to Exotica with his “Fantasy” for the Fukushima elegy. Benyamin Nuss proves with this album that he is a unique world class talent, and one with a true passion that is easily heard, and felt within your very own mind and body.

Available at: Amazon DE, Itunes and JPC
Featured, Game Music

Venturing Beyond The Norm: Symphonic Odysseys Live Report

July 13, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 8 Comments Share this

Symphonic Shades, Symphonic Fantasies, Symphonic Legends. Three concerts over the last three years that have become synonymous with progression, beauty, revolution and controversy in the world of videogame music live orchestra. Since the earlier days of the Leipzig Symphonic concerts, its been a constant mission for the European based production team to not only deliver the greatest performances from the orchestra at hand, but to truly portray the atmosphere and spirit of the source material and craft a story standing on its own two legs. It’s led to masterpieces such as Jonne Valtonen’s grand epic “Symphonic Poem” and Roger Wanamo’s layered “Chrono Trigger/Cross,” and also controversial underdogs like “Suite Samus Aran – Galactic Warrior.” The team pushes the envelope to truly explore the true essence of every piece and strives to prove that there are more to them than just instant nostalgic rushes and cheap laughs, gaining the respect of composers and audiences around the world.

July 9th marked the fourth installment of the Symphonic series, a revisit of the mind of Nobuo Uematsu. This time, we were invited to journey through the career of the most famous videogame composer of all time, and hear the all new interpretations of some of his most famous works, along with some lesser known yet incredible work from the vast library of Uematsu. The composer himself was also in attendance to show his gratitude to the orchestra and the audience.

Was the fourth installment able to once again amaze and push forward? Find out after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Nobuo Uematsu Composes Fanfare for Symphonic Odysseys

July 4, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 3 Comments Share this

Hot off the heels of the great LEGENDS event, on Saturday this week the WDR Rundfunkorchester Cologne once again invites video game music fans into the warmth of the Cologne Philharmonic Hall for the latest installment of the Symphonic series, Symphonic Odysseys. This event is a tribute to one of the greatest video game composers of all time, the mustachioed maestro Nobuo Uematsu. The concert promises to be a trip through the many of his illustrious works over the decades, such as Final Fantasy, Sa·Ga (Final Fantasy Legends) and King’s Knight just to name a few.

In addition to this, Uematsu will grace the concert with his attendance to hear the WDR, Benyamin Nuss and the arrangements of Jonne Valtonen and Roger Wanamo along with 4000 of his most devoted fans. Uematsu has also composed the fanfare exclusively for the concert, making the concert the definite tribute event for his fans in Cologne and traveling from all over the world.

The concert is now sold out, but expect a full report next week as OSV will be in attendance for what is shaping up the be a musical and emotional odyssey unlike any before it. There will also be a stream for listeners at home, with that information being available on the WDR website on July 9th.
Game Music

Distant Worlds Returns Home: Japan Concert Impressions

December 9, 2010 | Kai Oehler | 7 Comments Share this

In giving my impressions of the Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy Returning Home concert performed at the Tokyo International Forum this past month, I can’t help but notice the irony in the title: the advent of the Distant Worlds concert was in Stockholm, Sweden, in December 2007. What seems like a simple subtitle for its Japanese audience is noteworthy because it begs the question, “Can the origin country of the Final Fantasy series express any ownership over its defining features?” – Especially the masterful and internationally beloved works of Nobuo Uematsu?

I wasn’t a newcomer to the Distant Worlds concerts – actually, of all places my first opportunity to experience Distant Worlds was in the backwater state of Minnesota, USA. Using the ‘local’ talent of the fantastic Philharmonic and Macalester College Concert Choir, it offered an exuberant night of both fantastic music and appreciative – bordering on fanatic – fans, dressed up in cosplay of obscure characters (Final Fantasy VII’s Turks as well as Terra from Final Fantasy VI were personal faves). The charismatic, Grammy-winning conductor Arnie Roth seemed to relish the cheers and standing ovations. It was a celebration of the memories associated with each and every Final Fantasy – a borderless joy shared across the globe.

So in this backdrop of universal appreciation, does the ‘homecoming’ of Final Fantasy music to its birth country bear any more significance than a performance anywhere else? My personal view may even parallel the evolution of the series; despite its humble Famicom beginnings in Japan, the series is now owned by the world, as is its music.

Having said this, the Returning Home concert absolutely holds more significance – and dare say, appreciation – on a completely different level than its concert brethren elsewhere in the world.

Shutup already? Get on with the show! Fine, fine, have it your way… (more…)