Kow Otani

• Anime, Game Music

  The Renewal of Eminence: ‘A Night in Fantasia 2009’ Report

  November 5, 2009 | Wes Chung | 4 Comments Share this The Renewal of Eminence: ‘A Night in Fantasia 2009’ Report

  

  [Editor’s Note: We have a new name on the site today, and that’s Wes Chung from Australia. He was fortunately able to attend the recent A Night in Fantasia 2009 concert held by Eminence, and has a very lengthy (but ‘goody’) report of the show. Join us in welcoming him to the team, and enjoy his write-up!]

  Just over a month ago, the aptly-named Eminence Symphony Orchestra returned to the stage in their hometown of Sydney, Australia, for a one-night-only performance of prominent anime and video game music. Having taken a two-year hiatus to work on studio projects such as Soul Calibur IV and the Blizzard arrangement album Echoes of War, the brainchild of concertmaster Hiroaki Yura had fans in a mild state of frenzy with anticipation. An unprecedented campaign, including radio giveaways and TV coverage, preceded one of the largest and most ambitious orchestral game and anime concerts ever, let alone little old Sydneytown.

  So did Eminence live up to their name and deliver a performance worthy of their pioneering career? Read on to find out… (more…)

• Game Music

  Los Angeles Vs. Tokyo: Huge Ass Game Music Concert Taking Place In… Australia?!

  September 8, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this Los Angeles Vs. Tokyo: Huge Ass Game Music Concert Taking Place In… Australia?!

  

  You guys probably know that any time “game music” and “Australia” appear in the same sentence, it probably involves Eminence, and indeed I am referring to the upcoming A Night in Fantasia 2009 concert which is shaping up to be one hell of a show. We told you two months ago what was going to be played, but what we know now is who will be attending, and it’s one of the most impressive lists of game music composers from the East and West that we’ve ever seen.

  Los Angeles-based composers Wataru Hokoyama, Steve Jablonsky, Cris Velasco, and Inon Zur will be joined by Tokyo-based composers Yasunori Mitsuda, Kow Otani, and Go Shiina. Singer Aubrey Ashburn, also from Los Angeles, will be balanced out by singers AIKA Tsuneoka and Chiaki Takahashi from Tokyo. It truly is an LA Vs. Tokyo event, and it’s taking place in Sydney, Australia of all places! This should definitely be something to see if you’re one of the lucky people in town on September 26.

  Check out the official website, and let us know what you think about this list of special guests. Are you looking forward to any of the arrangements being performed in particular?

• Game Music

  Soundtrack of the Month 09/2009: The Shadow of the Colossus

  September 2, 2009 | Gideon Dabi | 4 Comments Share this Soundtrack of the Month 09/2009: The Shadow of the Colossus

  

  Well, it’s all downhill from here because, for September’s SOTM, I am picking Koh Otani’s masterpiece, The Shadow of the Colossus, and we all know nothing can beat it. I tried to convince Jayson that we should allow a separate category for this particular entry entitled “BEST SOUNDTRACK EVER THAT’LL MAKE YOUR HEAD ASPLODE, LEAVE YOU IN TEARS, AND HAVE YOU CLIMBING GIGANTIC COLOSSI TO SAVE A GIRL WHO MIGHT BE DEAD BUT WE’RE NOT SURE AND SHE MIGHT BE YOUR WIFE OR YOUR SISTER YOU DON’T KNOW BUT WHO CARES ANYWAY BECAUSE THIS GAME IS SO FREAKING GOOD ZOMG.” He felt it might be a little wordy. I disagree.

  But, enough of the hyperbole. Let’s dive into this bag of goodies and examine why this soundtrack deserves a seat beside the top two or three soundtracks of any game and/or film. Yes, I included film, too. I also think it only fair that even though this game/soundtrack is nearly four years old, that I give the obligatory “spoiler warning” as not to reveal key plot points for those who haven’t played the game. (Note: If you haven’t yet played the game, I don’t know what you may think could be more important, but you best stop reading this and play it immediately. Then come back and read this.) Onward, ho!

  (more…)

• Game Music

  Drop Rate Increase: Echoes of War Standard Edition Re-Release And Discount Announced

  May 25, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Drop Rate Increase: Echoes of War Standard Edition Re-Release And Discount Announced Share this Drop Rate Increase: Echoes of War Standard Edition Re-Release And Discount Announced

  

  It appears as though 2008 was a successful year for a number of orchestral arrangement albums, as we mentioned earlier this month that that Symphonic Shades was getting a second printing. Now, another of our favorite releases of 2008 is getting a similar treatment, with a second printing of the Echoes of War: Standard Edition set for next month along with a price reduction to $19.95 for those who pre-order before the June 16 re-release.

  Echoes of War: The Music of Blizzard Entertainment not only featured unique arrangements from the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo universes, but was also created by a large team famous arrangers and performers including Kow Otani, Go Shiina, Natsumi Kameoka, and the Eminence Symphony Orchestra. If you missed out on the legendary edition or the first print of the standard edition, I highly recommend picking it up at this discounted price.

  If you’ve already picked up Echoes of War, were you thoroughly satisfied with the purchase? Did you have a favorite arrangement from the 2-disc collection?

  Read the official press release from Eminence after the jump. (more…)

« Next Entries

Covering and promoting discussion of composers and music with a focus on video games and other contemporary media entertainment

Join Us Online Or Log in

 Got tips? Get in touch Or Browse our Categories Game Music Music Production Gear Anime Demoscene Software Television Doujin Chip Music Indie Music Film Events Japanese Miscellaneous Experimental Featured Editorial Reviews Interviews