WDR Orchestra

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

Turrican Soundtrack Anthology: Update #1

April 23, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | Comments Off on Turrican Soundtrack Anthology: Update #1 Share this

It is only one week since Chris Hülsbeck’s Kickstarter project, the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology, was announced to the world. What was then, a hope and dream over a 2 month period to revisit the past, has now become a reality. In less than 7 days, the Kickstarter has reached over $50,000 of the $75,000 asked, and is steadily climbing day by day, surely to exceed beyond the original goal. With the incredible success of the first week, Hülsbeck has provided his first of many upcoming updates.

Now, there are new pledges available. Most interestingly is the new Vinyl option. For $250 you get a LP record with the faithful recording of the original Amiga Turrican soundtrack, as well as the bonus side retro-remix style recording along with the boxset and the digital download which now also includes lossless FLAC files, allowing you to preserve the record as a collectible. The vinyl will also have exclusive artwork and your own name in the sleeve. There is also now an option to pledge 150 to receive 3 box sets as well as 3 individual download codes as well as campaign bonus track.

If you haven’t pledged yet, go to the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology and support this very exciting project, and check back for more news and details as they become available.
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

Fantastic Achievements: Symphonic Fantasies Review

September 15, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 11 Comments Share this

Hard to believe it’s been a year already. On September 12th, 2009, I was one of the lucky people who had the chance to attend Symphonic Fantasies, a symphonic tribute to Square Enix. With a set list featuring Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross, and of course Final Fantasy combined with the presence of the original composers, it was sure to be a memorable night for game music fans, and indeed it was as I detailed in my report. Like Symphonic Shades before it, Symphonic Fantasies was finally scheduled to have a CD release, and the pressure was on for producer Thomas Böcker and his staff to achieve the same amazing production qualities as the Symphonic Shades CD offered.

Today, the day has come for fans to finally hear the results of the hard labor of the WDR team. Does the album offer equally amazing sounds and emotions through your stereo system? Click the jump to find out. (more…)
Game Music

More WDR News! Symphonic Legends To Have Live Audio/Video Stream

July 15, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 3 Comments Share this

News was broken quite recently about the Symphonic Fantasies CD: the tracklist, the cover art, the release date. All good stuff.

Only days later, we have more news from the folks at the WDR Orchestra in Cologne, Germany.

Word is that the “Symphonic Legends” concert, which will feature music from a variety of Nintendo franchise titles — from Mario and Zelda to Pikmin and Metroid — will be streamed live via WDR’s official website. This is, of course, just as they did it for Symphonic Fantasies last go-around. It’s certainly a nice addition for folks who cannot get out to Germany.

People with excellent Internet connections can do the full audio/video stream. Those whose connections can only withstand so much can do an audio-only stream.

The concert itself will take place on a Thursday evening: September 23, 2010. If you can’t buy tickets, be sure to check out the live stream. It’s sure to be a worthwhile listen/watch!
Game Music

Symphonic Fantasies CD Is Just Around The Corner!

July 13, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 10 Comments Share this

This is seriously one of my most anticipated releases of 2010. After watching the live Internet stream of Symphonic Fantasies in my underwear from the comfort of my own home, I’ve been looking forward to a CD release, and it’s coming in September. For those who don’t recall what the show was all about, you can refresh your memory with Audun’s extensive report, but to summarize, it features entire suites of music from Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross, and Final Fantasy.

So, down to the details.

While it’s currently available for pre-order directly from the WDR website for those in Germany and around Europe for 19.95 EUR plus shipping and handling, it will release on September 24, 2010 in those regions with an international release to follow via Amazon. Those who pre-order get a little bonus in that they have the opportunity to win copies signed by Shimomura, Kikuta, Mitsuda, and Uematsu, all of whom were involved with the album by giving their approval of the final mixes. This album is a big deal in that it’s published by Universal Music, and it’s set to feature the Symphonic Fantasies “Fanfare” written by arranger and orchestrator Jonne Valtonen with suites for the titles mentioned above. Unfortunately the boss battle medley that acted as the performance’s encore is not on the album, but it will be available digitally (the disc is 73 minutes long without it). It will also come with a 16-page booklet, and I really love the official cover art pictured above (it certainly beats the bland logo they were using for the performance itself).

What do you think? Are you looking forward to getting your hands on this album?
Game Music

CONFIRMED: Thomas Böcker and WDR Orchestra to Hold New Symphonic Concert in 2010

September 25, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 3 Comments Share this

It’s only been a week since the wonderful Sypmhonic Fantasies event and we already have wonderful news to share! On September 24th, 2010, Thomas Böcker and Winfried Fechner, head of the WDR Radio Orchestra, will promote a new symphonic game concert.

“We will continue!” Fechner states at the Symphonic Fantasies website, and also tells us that the feedback from the previous concerts have been overwhelming. Quite deservingly so, I might add.

While no theme for the new concert has been revealed yet, you can be sure that it will be a great show with guests and superb arrangements just like Symphonic Shades and Fantasies delivered.

Ticket prices and other details will be revealed over the coming months. Now, let us cross our fingers for a CD announcement as well!