Donkey Kong Country

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Matron Maestras – Eveline Fischer (Spotlight)

November 21, 2014 | Brenna Wilkes | Comments Off on Matron Maestras – Eveline Fischer (Spotlight) Share this

We’re continuing our spotlight on women in video game composing with one of the components of the Donkey Kong Country musical experience and beyond with Eveline Fischer! (Eveline Novakovic if you’re looking her up under her married name, but we’ll be referencing her under the name she used when composing the majority of the works we’ll be listing) We’ll also highlight some of her non-composing works, including some voice work you may not have known was her!

And what good timing too, as the DKC Mix’t Ape ’94 arrangement album just released today with much of Fischer’s work arranged by several artists! How’s that for relevance?

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Game Music

Legend Discusses LEGENDS: David Wise In Stockholm

June 10, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | Comments Off on Legend Discusses LEGENDS: David Wise In Stockholm Share this

Though time was short and precious at the fantastic event of LEGENDS, The man of the hour himself, David Wise, still generously offered his time to all fans and admirers to shake hands and sign their collectibles. In the midst of the orchestrated memories and energetic crowd, we managed to eventually get a few thoughts from the legendary composer himself on his thoughts about the concert itself and some hints towards the future.

Despite being responsible for some of the very best music ever composed for video games, the man is one of the humblest and most kind spoken individuals you could have the pleasure of meeting.

Wise up after the jump! (more…)
Featured, Game Music

Arrangers Speak Out On LEGENDS: Comments From The Staff

May 12, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 6 Comments Share this

LEGENDS is now only a few weeks away and like the weather that is currently gracing the fine continent of Europe, things are heating up for the Nintendo based concert. Taking place in Stockholm on the 1st of June, LEGENDS will revisit the world of Nintendo’s vast music library, much like concert of 2010 before it, Symphonic Legends. However, this won’t be exactly the same concert as the German audience heard. LEGENDS will be an all new experience, showcasing all new arrangements with familiar tunes and motifs, and for the people who traveled to Cologne last year, the experience of LEGENDS will be just as exciting as it will for the all new ears in attendance.

To give the audience a bit of insight into what to expect and what goes into the process of arranging the legendary music, LEGENDS has for weeks posted updates from the arrangers Jonne Valtonen, Roger Wanamo and Masashi Hamauzu about their thoughts and feelings on the different pieces they are working on. With the final announcement posted, you can now read all the updates in English!

Read all the comments from the LEGENDS staff after the jump! (more…)
Game Music

Masashi Hamauzu to attend LEGENDS in Stockholm on June 1st.

March 8, 2011 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

Masashi Hamauzu to attend LEGENDS from VGMConcerts on Vimeo.

As far as live musical events in 2010, nothing rivaled the amazing Symphonic Legends concert out of Cologne, Germany last September. The night was dedicated to the legendary music featured in Nintendo’s biggest franchises, and with their unparalleled quality of arrangements and bold new takes on some of the best known classics. Even though the concert is most vividly remembered for Jonne Valtonen’s 30 minute long symphonic poem based on the Legend of Zelda, the other arrangers of the show did an equally amazing job on their respective tasks. In particular, Masashi Hamauzu’s arrangement of Donkey Kong Country strook the audience with a beautiful rendition of the “Aquatic Ambiance” using the unbelievable talents of Juraj Cizmarovic and Benyamin Nuss.

Now the team is preparing for a new show in Stockholm on June 1st titled LEGENDS. In addition to featuring some of the same material that we were greeted to in Cologne, there is now also all new arrangements and also new parts to the already existing material from last year to ensure that the Stockholm audience are given the royal treatment at the Stockholm Concert Hall this summer. In addition, Jonne Valtonen, Roger Wanamo, Benyamin Nuss and Masashi Hamauzu will be attending the concert and meet and greet, so make sure you don’t miss out on what was the best concert of 2010 made even better by the ever-amazing Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra!

Tickets are now on sale at Konserthuset.se
Featured, Game Music

Gift From Heaven: Symphonic Legends Report

September 30, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 6 Comments Share this

September rolled around again and it was now time for me to begin my journey to Cologne once again, in what has become a new tradition to me over the last few years. A tradition that leaves me with more wonderful memories and heartfelt moments with each year that passes. Last year the German hot spot offered the world Symphonic Fantasies which celebrated 4 different franchises from game juggernaut Square Enix. The concert and its subsequent CD release was hailed worldwide as one of, if not the finest symphonic event ever dedicated to video games. With such praise and respect, the excitement when WDR announced they would be holding an event this year was astronomical. What would they be performing this year?

The answer turned out to be Nintendo. The kid inside me sprung into the air upon hearing this as the company and games that I grew up with would now be performed live by an orchestra, some games for the very first time. I loaded up my music player with Super Mario Bros, Super Metroid and Fabio’s After Dark poem CD, which was for reasons that may never be spoken of.

So join me as I travel back to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for another unforgettable event! (more…)
Game Music

A Whole Bunch of Bananas, But Nothing For Answers: DKC2’s “Stickerbush Symphony” Rap

September 9, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

I’ve literally been meaning to post this for about two months now. It’s absolute genius. Ever since I heard it, I ain’t been the same.

Everyone loves the “Stickerbush Symphony” from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong’s Quest, and what better way to enjoy it than through a clever rap? These guys need to record an entire album of this stuff!

“Trying to stack bananas like building blocks, might go ape-shit on a million crocs.” The delivery is right on. It might help that the guy singing is absolutely ridiculous. Too bad their other videos aren’t as impressive!

Have you already seen this one floating around the ‘Nets? Think these guys could put a mean Nintendo rap album together?