Germany

• Game Music

  Contest Winners: Say “Huelsbeck” For Symphonic Shades

  June 22, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Contest Winners: Say “Huelsbeck” For Symphonic Shades Share this Contest Winners: Say “Huelsbeck” For Symphonic Shades

  

  I know it’s been awhile, but we did indeed have winners from our Symphonic Shades first print contest, and I wanted to share the results with you. First of all, congrats to our winners, Joe Cam and Pablo. Joe’s entry was just funny, while Pablo’s came complete with a story and post-processing that was most impressive.  Regarding the other entries, keep in mind that when we say “entertaining,” that’s code for “don’t bore us,” as some of the entries were simple readings of the name without anything interesting.

  Hit the jump to check out both winning entries as well as to read Pablo’s essay that accompanied his recording. (more…)

• Game Music

  Contest Reminder: Win Symphonic Shades First Edition!

  May 22, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Contest Reminder: Win Symphonic Shades First Edition! Share this Contest Reminder: Win Symphonic Shades First Edition!

  

  This is a reminder that there are two copies of one of the best albums of 2008 still up for grabs. We’re giving away two copies of Symphonic Shades, and all we’re asking you to do is record yourself saying the word “Hülsbeck” and shoot it over to [email protected]. The deadline is May 28, 2009 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, so get those entries in before it’s too late!

• Game Music

  Contest: Symphonic Shades 1st Edition, Get Them Before They’re Gone!

  May 7, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this Contest: Symphonic Shades 1st Edition, Get Them Before They’re Gone!

  

  We have good news today on two fronts. First of all, the album release for the Symphonic Shades concert featuring the music of Chris Hülsbeck (that’s “Huelsbeck” for those of you who fear the almighty umlaut) has sold so well that they’ve burned through their inventory and are offering an identical second edition later this month. Even better, it’s being sold at a lower price, and is currently available for pre-order here.

  The second piece of good news is that we have two copies of the first edition here in our offices just for you. So, what do you have to do to win one? Simple! Send us an audio file of you saying “Hülsbeck,” and the two entries that we find the most entertaining will win a copy of the album. Send your entries to [email protected] by May 28, 2009 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time to be considered!

  Are you at all surprised by the popularity of this album? Are you with many others in thinking it was one of the best albums of 2008?

• Game Music

  Preview the Symphonic Fantasies Concert: “Fanfare Overture” by Jonne Valtonen

  March 10, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this Preview the Symphonic Fantasies Concert: “Fanfare Overture” by Jonne Valtonen

  Hopefully the wonderfully-produced Symphonic Shades concert is still fresh in your minds, as Thomas Boecker’s next project is quickly approaching. Symphonic Fantasies, which we briefly told you about a couple months ago, is set to hit Clogne, Germany in September of this year, and will feature music from Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, and other classics from Square Enix (I’m jealous!).

  Boecker and his team have pulled out all the stops to promote this concert, going as far as to post the above pre-recording of the concert’s “Fanfare Overture,” which is an original composition by talented arranger and demoscene legend Jonne “Purple Motion” Valtonen. Check out the video above. The fact that this was pre-recorded also hints that there will be a full album release, but I don’t think anyone was doubting this would be the case. Be sure to watch for more information on this concert, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted as well.

  What do you think of Valtonen’s opening fanfare? Better than other concert themes you’ve heard? Are you as jealous as I am that this show won’t be coming to the States?

• Game Music, Reviews

  Robocop in a Tux Presents Symphonic Shades (Review)

  February 4, 2009 | Tim Sheehy | 7 Comments Share this Robocop in a Tux Presents Symphonic Shades (Review)

  

  December marked the release of Symphonic Shades, the album release for the highly-praised concert that took place in Germany last year featuring the music of veteran composer Chris Hülsbeck. It features orchestrated arrangements from many classic games, including titles such as Turrican and R-Type. With only 1,000 copies having been printed, we were fortunate enough to be able to review this album, so join us after the jump.

  (more…)

• Game Music

  Symphonic Shades: Robot Conductor Says Transform and Roll Out

  December 2, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this Symphonic Shades: Robot Conductor Says Transform and Roll Out

  

  You’re about to hear the most popular game music from Germany. At least I imagine this is true given Chris Hülsbeck’s massive celebrity status in his homeland. While the Symphonic Shades concert took place back in August, we told you back in July that a live recorded album was on its way, and finally we have a solid release date.

  Set to ship on December 11, 2008, Symphonic Shades will feature 14 of Chris Hülsbeck’s most memorable pieces of music arranged by an amazing team including demoscene legend Jonne Valtonen and even Yuzo Koshiro and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi. We’re greatly looking forward to this release, and will likely be hosting a review and giveaway in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

  Read the official press release for Symphonic Shades after the jump. (more…)

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