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  #31  
Old Aug 18, 2018, 04:10 AM
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TerraEpon TerraEpon is offline
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I can't believe I forgot about this, but there's one example of western game music from 1993 I know of -- SORT of.

Interplay 10 Year Anthology:
https://vgmdb.net/album/2008

This is the actual game disc with redbook audio. Two tracks, the ones from Buzz Aldron Race Into Space, are for orchestra.
Now here's the kicker -- the CD Rom version of the game was released in 1994 and I actually don't know if they are on there. The game itself is NOT one of the games on the disc, just the trailer for it (which uses this music of course).
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  #32  
Old Aug 19, 2018, 06:04 PM
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Aifread Aifread is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinphonic View Post
In 1989 a symphonic suite of the most popular Japanese game franchise, FINAL FANTASY, was released, arranged by Takayuki Hattori.

https://vgmdb.net/album/394
Also his father, Katsuhisa Hattori.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldlink View Post
In fact, this is a compilation, but I have the symphonic albums the Ys 1&2 and Sorcerian tracks are taken from. Tremendous early Yuzo Koshiro music in "epic mode" (thanks to the orchestrators of course), far from his Streets of Rage style.
What? Falcom Neo Classic is not a compilation album. The arrangements are totally different (better, imo) and the medleys feature different tracks than Symphony Ys at least (can't say about Symphony Sorcerian as I still don't have that album).

Last edited by Aifread; Aug 19, 2018 at 06:18 PM.
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  #33  
Old Aug 19, 2018, 06:23 PM
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Aifread Aifread is offline
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By the way, Takayuki Hattori is my favorite orchestrator of VGM because of those two albums I just mentioned and my all-time favorite orchestral album, Seiken Densetsu: Put Your Thoughts to Music. I love love love the Spanish flavor and variety of that album.
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  #34  
Old Aug 20, 2018, 07:47 AM
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VIN VIN is offline
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Quote:
I logically thought "I’m really living the beginning of fully orchestral scores in video games". But I could'nt be further from the truth…
Only if you restrict yourself by geographical terms

Quote:
Wow ! I just love this heroic theme ! Please, just don't stop to give us some early orchestral VGM ! I love those 90's scores, they just don't make them like this anymore in 2010's...
I've also done more research what happens after 1999 outside Japan and inside Japan. I once wanted to write an article about symphonic music in video games but never got around to finish it. Luckily I have many things from my research still lying around and I've worked a little on it over the years. Needless to say, without vgmdb (and this thread) this would have been impossible to do. I've adapted the new findings from this thread.

Here we go:


History of orchestral Video Game Music (subject to change)


Spoiler:
You could say orchestral game music outside Japan exists in two branches, "American Orchestral Game music" (technically since 1993 but Medal of Honor in 1999 was the one score that brought orchestral video game scores on the map) and "European Orchestral Game Music" starting with Outcast in 1999.

Both had an amazing run in the 2000s but as you said, in the 2010s something terrible must have happened since its all but a flicker now (according to my views). Occasional scores of interest (in my subjective view) pop up but by and large it was a sadly, short-lived momentum. That said Europe still shows promise occasionally.

Japanese orchestral game music however, from it's inception to its current apex, is on a whole other plane of existence.


Here are the lists.


Orchestral Video Games outside Japan:


Spoiler:
Noteworthy European Orchestral Game scores:


Spoiler:
Outcast
Composer: Lennie Moore
Moscow Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Recording date: 1999

Sample
Source

First fully orchestral game score in Europe and one of the greatest scores ever written.


Sea Dogs
Composer: Yuri Poteyenko
Orchestra: "Russian Philharmonia" Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir of Moscow State Conservatory

Sample
Source

A gem of a game score. Equal to the best of Japan.


Age of Pirates: Carribean Tales
Composer: Yuri Poteyenko
Orchestra: Mocow Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source

A follow up to Sea Dogs and one of the greatest game scores ever written, easily rivals the best of Japan.


Primal
Composer:Bob & Barn
Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source

Possibly the first heavily classical inspired game score and noteworthy of being the first score recorded with the The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, who is nowadays a prominent video game orchestra.


MediEvil: Resurrection
Composer: Bob & Barn
Orchestra: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Gothic 3
Composer: Kai Rosenkranz
Orchestra: Bochumer Symphonie Orchester and Chorus

Sample
Source

Possibly the most noteworthy German game score, it was even performed in concert.


Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix
Composer: James Hannigan, themes by John Williams
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra, The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, The Pinewood Singers

Sample
Source

Noteworthy for being the first game score to be superior to a film score in a cross-media franchise. Especially the bootleg with Williams themes.[/B]


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Composer: James Hannigan
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra, The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, The Pinewood Singers

Sample
Source


Kindoms of Amalur
Composer: Grant Kirkhope
Orchestra: FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague

Sample
Source


Kameo: Elements of Power
Composer:Steve Burke
Orchestra: City of Prague Philharmonic

Sample
Source


Viva Pinata
Composer: Grant Kirkhope
Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Banjo: Nuts & Bolts
Composer: Grant Kirkhope
Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Mario & Rabbits: Kingdom Battle
Composer: Grant Kirkhope
Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic

Sample
Source

Noteworthy for being the first western orchestral game score incorporating Japanese video game tunes. Also the first operatic piece for a western game soundtrack.

Trivia: Kirhope had to incorporate the themes by ear, and Nintendo got so furious they put their score sheets out of their golden vault and send a copy to him with the message "please redo".


Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Composer: Jan Valta and Adam Sporka.
Orchestra: Warhorse Studio Orchestra


Sample
Source


Anno 1701
Composer: Tilman Sillescu
Orchestra: Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt/Oder

Sample
Source

Noteworthy for being the first major German orchestral game score.


Settlers: Rise of an Empire
Composer: Michael Pummell
Orchestra: Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt / Oder

Sample
Source


Book of Unwritten Tales 2
Composer: Benny Oschmann
Orchestra: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source

It was even performed in concert.


KILLZONE
Composer: Joris De Man
Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Killzone 2
Composer: Joris de Man
Orchestra: Nimrod Session Orchestra

Sample
Source


Killzone 3
Composer: Joris de Man
Orchestra: Nimrod Session Orchestra

Sample
Source

The last time a western game series really tried.


Republic the Revolution
Composer: James Hannigan
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source

Noteworthy for being the first game score with an original anthem.

He hasn’t done anything noteworthy since.


Turrican Anthology Suite

Symphonic Shades
Composer: Chris Hülsbeck
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen, Yuzo Koshiro, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Chris Hülsbeck, Adam Klemens
Orchestra: WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne and FILMharmonic Choir Prague
Recording: 2008

Sample
Source


Turrican: Orchestral Selections
Composer: Chris Hülsbeck
Arranger: VA
Orchestra: Norrköping Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source

Noteworthy for also being arranged by Yuzo Koshiro.


Turrican II: The Orchestral Album
Composer: Chris Hülsbeck
Arranger: Roger Wanamo, Jonne Valtonen
Orchestra: Norrköping Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source



Noteworthy American Orchestral Game Scores:


Spoiler:
Lair
Composer: John Debney and Kevin Kaska
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source

The last great American orchestral game score. Equal to the best of Japan.


Heart of Darkness
Composer: Bruce Broughton
Orchestra: Sinfonia of London
Recording date: 1995

Sample
Source


Everquest II
Composer: Laura Karpman.
Orchestra: FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague

Sample
Source

Noteworthy if you're into politics but its a good fantasy score regardless.


Ultima X: Odyssey
Composer: Chris Field
Orchestra: Northwest Sinfonia

Sample
Source


Medal of Honor
Composer: Michael Giacchino (Tim Simonec)
Orchestra: Northwest Sinfonia
Recording date: 1999

Sample
Source


Medal of Honor Frontline
Composer: Michael Giacchino (Tim Simonec)
Orchestra: Northwest Sinfonia

Sample
Source


Medal of Honor: European Assault
Composer: Christopher Lennertz (orchestrated by Kentaro Sato)
Orchestra: The Philharmonia Orchestra, The Pinewood Chorus

Sample
Source


Secret Weapons over Normandy
Composer: Michael Giacchino (Tim Simonec)
Orchestra: Northwest Sinfonia

Sample
Source

Giacchino's last noteworthy game score.


Kotor II: The Sith Lords
Composer: Mark Griskey
Orchestra: Northwest Sinfonia

Sample


Voyeur
Composer: Garry Schyman
Orchestra: unknown
Recording date: 1993

Sample


In 2007 was Bioshock, composed by Garry Schyman.

Source

Noteworthy for atonal music and advanced orchestral techniques in a western game score.
The sequel was even better: Bioshock 2.

Source

Dante's Infero
Composer: Garry Schyman
Orchestra:

Sample
Source


In 2011 there was The Old Republic, in parts composed by Lennie Moore of Outcast fame. Those parts were good.

Source


Wing Commander Orchestral Project
Compsoer: George Oldziey
Orchestra: Slovak National Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Total Annihilation
Composer: Jeremy Soule
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Recording date: unknown

Sample
Source


Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Composer: Jeremy Soule
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra

Sample
Source

Harry Potter game series up to game 4.

Source

Example of his synth style for early games: IL 2 Sturmovik

His orchestral contribution to World of Warcraft


LEGO Universe
Composer: Brian Tyler
Orchestra: Slovak National Radio Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom
Composer: Laura Karpman
Orchestra: FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, FILMharmonic Choir Prague

Sample
Source


Shaiya by George Oldziey, never released.


Echoes of War: The Music of Blizzard Entertainment
Composer: VA
Arranger: Natsumi Kameoka, Hironori Osone, Go Shiina, William Motzing, Kow Otani
Orchestra: Eminence Symphony Orchestra and Choir
Recording date: 2008

Sample
Source


World of Warcraft

Source

This can stand for all the World of Warcraft soundtracks since Burning Crusade (2007), some good tracks in them.


Star Wars: Kinect
Composer: Gordy Haap and Kyle Newmaster
Orchestra: Slywalker Symphony Orchestra

Sample

for being the biggest budget for a fan tribute album to a film composer.


Noteworthy is Star Wars Battlefront (2015) by Gordy Haab for seemlessy incoporating a film score to a game, it doesn't work standalone but ingame its a notable achievment.

Also noteworthy is the release of game single Sogno di Volare by Christopher Tin, which inspired this kickstarter album


In my subjective view, orchestral game scores equal to Japan from 1999 - 2009:

Outcast, Age of Pirates, Sea Dogs, Lair, Heart of Darkness, Medal of Honor series, Bob & Barn, Killzone Trilogy, Harry Potter 5, Gothic 3, Voyeur, Bioshock 2, Secret Weapons over Normandy, Symphonic Shades, Total Annihilation, Everquest 2, The Sith Lords

From 2010-present: Kingdoms of Amalur, Kingdom Come, Killzone 3, Dante's Inferno...





Meanwhile, in Japan


Spoiler:
1984-1994:


Spoiler:
1986


Dragon Quest: Symphonic Suite
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Division of Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


1987


Dragon Quest in Concert
Koichi Sugiyama
Division of Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


1988


Symphony Ys
Nihon Falcom / Kentaro Haneda
King Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


1989


Nobunaga no Yabou: Sengoku Gun'yuuden
Yoko Kanno, Mitsuo Yamamoto
Tokyo Studio Ensemble

Sample
Source


Suikoden: The Divine Oath
Shinji Kinoshita, Kazumasa Mitsui, Yoichi Takizawa
Tokyo Studio Ensemble

Sample
Source


Pacific Theater Operations/Teitoku no Ketsudan
Hiroshi Miyagawa
Tokyo City Philharmonic

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY: Symphonic Suite
Nobuo Uematsu / Takayuki Hattori
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Symphony Sorcerian
Kentaro Haneda
King Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


1990


Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom (FM Towns)
Composer: Kohei Tanaka
Orchestra: Tokyo Studio Orchestra
Recording date: unknown

Sample


Daikoukai Jidai / Uncharted Waters
Yoko Kanno
Tokyo Studio Ensemble

Sample
Source


Gradius III: Symphonic Poem
Konami Kukeiha Club / Tomoki Hasegawa
Konami Philahrmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


1991


Game Music Concert -The Best Selection-
VA
Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


DragonQuest IV: Symphonic Suite
Koichi Sugiyama
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Seiken Densetsu / Secret of Mana
Takayuki Hattori
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Actraiser: Symphonic album
Yuzo Koshiro / Kaoru Wada
Shinsei Nihon Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


1992


Nobunaga: Nobunaga no Yabou: Haouden
Yoko Kanno
Tokyo Studio Ensemble

Sample
Source


Walkure Story for Orchestra
Akira Senju, basic motif by Hiroyuki Kawada
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Falcom Neo Classic
Takayuki Hattori
London Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Image of the King Colossus
Sega Sound Orchestra
Kenichiro Isoda / Yasuhide Itoh

Source


Game Music Concert 2 -The Best Selection-
VA
Tokyo Memorial Orchestra

Sample
Source


1993


Far East of Eden/Tengai Makyou Fuun Kabuki Den
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Choir

Sample
Source


Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV / Sangokushi IV
Jun Nagao
Hungarian Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Gradius in Classic
VA
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Game Music Concert 3
VA
Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


1994


FINAL FANTASY VI GRAND FINALE
Nobuo Uematsu / Shiro SAGISU, Tsuneyoshi Saito
Milan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nobunaga no Yabou: Tenshouki (Chronicles of the Ascension)
Yoko Kanno
The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample / Concert Performance
Source


Game Music Concert 4
VA
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source



1995-1999:


Spoiler:
1995

Panzer Dragoon
Yoshitaka Azuma / Tomoyuki Hayashi
Panzer Dragoon Special Orchestra

Sample
Source

Arc The Lad
Masahiro Andoh / Keiichi Oku
Royal Philharmonic

Sample
Source


Galaxy Fräulein Yuna
Takanori Arisawa
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Game Music Orchestra 5
VA
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


1996


Sakura Wars
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Teitoku no Ketsudan III
Bob Sakuma
Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


A-Train 5: Train Simulator
Koshiro Nishida
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample


OGRE: Grand Repeat
Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


1997


Nessa no Hoshi
Kiyoshi Yoshikawa
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Tengai Makyou The Apocalypse IV
Hironao Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Sasagawa, Takayuki Negishi
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Grandia
Noriyuki Iwadare
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


1998


Elemental Gearbolt
Kei Wakakusa
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


COI VANNI GIALLI
Masashi Hamauzu
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Sakura Wars 2
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Not to mention one of the greatest game intros ever scored: Suikoden II opening.


1999


Blue Stinger
Toshihiko Sahashi
Tokyo Symphonic Studio Orcherstra

Sample
Source


I.Q Intelligent Qube
Takayuki Hattori
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source

Last year, it was even performed in concert: IQ Concert Suite (GSJ 23rd concert)


Wizardry ~DIMGUIL~
Ikurou Fujiwara
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Shenmue: Orchestra Album
Hayato Matsuo
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Ocarina of Time: Hyrule Symphony
Koji Kondo / Ryuichi Katsumata
String Ensemble

Sample
Source


Biohazard: Orchestra Album
VA / Kazunori Miyake
New Japan Philharmonic

Sample
Source


FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC
Nobuo Uematsu and Shiro Hamaguchi
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source

A perfect closure for the millenia as the final 90s orchestral game album from Japan.



2000-2009:


Spoiler:
2000


Skies of Arcadia
Yutaka Minobe
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Kessen
Reijiro Koroku
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


2001


Kessen 2
Reijiro Koroku
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nobunaga no Yabou: Ranseiki
Kosuke Yamashita
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Source


Sakura Wars 3
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


2002


Super Smash Bros. DX Concert
VA
New Japan Philharmonic

Sample
Source


Nobunaga no Yabou: Soutenroku
Kosuke Yamashita
Performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Symphonic Poem: Argos no Senshi
Hiroaki Takahashi, Takayasu Sodeoka, Riichiro Kuwabara
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Gensou Suikoden Arrangement album
Kentaro Haneda

Sample
Source


An operatic piece for a Fire Emblem Commercial.

Sample


2003


Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Complete Box (I~VII)
Koichi Sugiyama
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nobunaga no Yabou: Tenka Sousei
Kosuke Yamashita
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


2004


Xenosaga: Episode 1
Yasunori Mitsuda
London Philharmonic Orchestra & Metro Voices

Sample
Source


Crimson Sea 2
Yoshihiro Ike
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample


Tour de Japon
Nobuo Uematsu / Shiro Hamaguchi
New Japan Philharmonic

Sample
Source


Romance of the Three Kingdoms X / Sangokushi 10
Yoshihiro Ike
FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague

Sample
Source


And Ace Combat 5 recieved a classical march

Sample
Source


2005


Katamari
Katsuro Tajima
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Dragon Quest VIII: Symphonic Suite
Koichi Sugiyama
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Shadow of the Colossus
Kow Otani
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Starfox Assault
Yoshie Arakawa, Yoshinori Kawamoto
Tokyo New City Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nobunaga's Ambition: Iron Triangle / Nobunaga no Yabou -Kakushin-
Kosuke Yamashita
Kakushin Orchestra & Honnouji Chorus

Sample
Source


Soul Calibur 3
Junichi Nakatsuru, Ryuichi Takada, Keiki Kobayashi
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Tales of Legendia
Go Shiina / Natsumi Kameoka
Tokyo Symphonic Ensemble

Sample
Source


Michiru Oshima arranged for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Sample
Source


2006


Reign of Revolution by Kosuke Yamashita
Kosuke Yamashita
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample


Phantasy Star Universe
VA
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, The Hollywood Session Orchestra

Sample
Source


Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI / Sangokushi 11
Yoshihiro Ike
Filmharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Kingdom Hearts 2
Yoko Shimomura / Kaoru Wada
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Xenosaga: Episode III
Yuki Kajiura
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Uncharted Waters Online ~La Frontera~
Taku Iwasaki, Kazunori Miyake
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


ZERA: Imperan Intrigue
Lee Ji-Soo
Prague Philarmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


2007


Hanaki Sou / Flower Funeral Symphony
Akiko Shikata, Kousuke Suzuki
Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Raganarok Online II
Yoko Kanno
Warsaw Philharmonic

Sample
Source


Elvandia Story
Noriyuki Iwadare
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Bladestorm The Hundred Years' War
Jamie Christopherson / Thanh Tran
Prague Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Masamichi Amano & VA
Hollywood Studio Symphony

Sample


2008


Afrika
Wataru Hokoyama
Hollywood Studio Symphony

Sample
Source


Lost Odyssey
Nobuo Uematsu
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Drammatica: The Music of Yoko Shimomura
Natsumi Kameoka, Kaoru Wada
WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne

Sample
Source

Notable for being the first arrangement album to be recorded in Germany.


Gyakuten Saiban Concert 2008
VA / Noriyuki Iwadare
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Super Mario Galaxy
Mahito Yokota, Koji Kondo
Mario Galaxy Orchestra

Sample
Source


Soul Calibur IV
Junichi Nakatsuru, Keiki Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Fujita, Masaharu Iwata, John Williams
Eminence Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Valkyria Chronicles
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Eminence Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


2009


Nobunaga no Yabou: Tendou
Kosuke Yamashita
Tendou Orchestra & Tendou Chorus

Sample
Source


Monster Hunter: Tri
VA / Shiro Hamaguchi
Filharmonic Orchestra Prague

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY: Crystal Chronicles
Hidenori Iwasaki, Ryo Yamazaki, Kumi Tanioka, Nobuo Uematsu
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Monster Hunter 5th Anniversary
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


2010-present:


Spoiler:
2010


Deadstorm Pirates
Katsuro Tajima
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Final Fantasy XIII
Masashi Hamauzu / Yoshihisa Hirano
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir

Sample
Source


End of Eternity
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Symphonic Orhcestra

Sample
Source


Dragon Quest IX: Symphonic Suite
Koichi Sugiyama
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mahito Yokota, Ryo Nagamatsu, Koji Kondo
Mario Galaxy Orchestra

Sample
Source


Darkside Symphony
Yoshihisa Hirano
Tokyo Symphonic Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Echochrome II
Hideki Sakamoto
String Ensemble

Sample
Source


PRESS START The 5th Anniversary
VA
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Source
Source


TRINITY Zill O'll Zero
Yoshihiro Ike
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Metroid: Other M
Kuniaki Haishima
Tokyo Studio Orchestra and Chorus

Sample


2011


Symphonic Odysseys: Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu
Jonne Valtonen, Roger Wanamo, Jani Laaksonen, Masashi Hamauzu, Shiro Hamaguchi
WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne, WDR Radio Choir Cologne

Sample
Source


Hideki Sakamoto: Orchestral Works
St.-Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra

Source


Ni no Kuni
Joe Hisaishi
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Skyward Sword
Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mahito Yokota, Takeshi Hama, Koji Kondo
Hyrule Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

Sample


Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary CD
Kosuke Yamashita, Chad Seiter
Orchestra Nova San Diego

Sample
Source


Dissidia 012
Takeharu Ishimoto / Kentaro Sato
FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, FILMharmonic Choir Prague

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY XI: VANA CON
Naoshi Mizuta, Kumi Tanioka, Nobuo Uematsu / VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Uncharted Waters Online ~Tierra Americana~
Kazunori Miyake
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


MYTH: Xenogears Orchestral Album
Yasunori Mitsuda, Natsumi Kameoka
The Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


2012


Final Fantasy Orchestral Album
Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masashi Hamauzu, Kumi Tanioka
FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Symphonic Fantasies: Tokyo
Jonne Valtonen, Roger Wanamo, Yoko Shimomura, Hiroki Kikuta, Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus

Sample
Source


Dragon Quest X: Symphonic Suite
Koichi Sugiyama
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Kid Icarus / Shin Hikari Shinwa: Palutena no Kagami
VA / Natsumi Kameoka and Yasunori Mitsuda
Procyon Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Gravity Daze
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Uncharted Warers: 2nd Age
Kazunori Miyake
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Sample


Ace Combat: Cross Rumble
Go Shiina / Natsumi Kameoka
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra and Chorus

Sample
Source


Soul Calibur V
VA
Eminence Symphony Orchestra, Eminence Symphonic Choir

Sample
Source


The Time Travelers
Hideki Sakamoto
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


2013


Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou
Masako Otsuka
Budapest Art Orchestra, Budapest Cantate Choir

Sample
Source


One Piece: Unlimited World Red
Hideki Sakamoto
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample


2014


Nobunaga no Yabou 30th Anniversary Concert
VA / Kosuke Yamashita
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Source


Tiara Concerto
Wong Kin Wai
Capellen Orchestra

Sample
Source


Soul Sacrifice / Soul Sacrifice DELTA
Yasunori Mitsuda, Wataru Yokohama
Brussels Philharmonic and Choir, The Skywalker Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


2015


Final Symphony
Jonne Valtonen, Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu
London Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


God Eater 2
Go Shiina
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Bloodborne
VA
London Studio Ensemble and Metro Voices

Sample
Source


Traveling August 2015
VA / Reah Mushiuta
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Phantasy Star Online 15th Anniversary
Masamichi Amano, Souhei Kano, Daisuke Ehara
Sympathy Special Orchestra

Sample
Source


2016


Romance of the Three Kingdoms / Sangokushi 30th Anniversary Concert
VA / Kosuke Yamashita
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY VIII -Mono no aware-
Nubuo Uematsu / Roger Wanamo
Royal Stockholm Phiharmonic Orchestra

Source


Granblue Fantasy Orchestra
Tsutomu Narita, Nobuo Uematsu
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Orchestral SAGA
VA / Kosuke Yamashita, Natsumi Kameoka, Shiro Hamaguchi
FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague

Sample
Source


Fire Emblem Festival
Yuka Tsujiyoko, Hiroki Morishita, Yoshito Hirano / Ikuro Fujiwara
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Last Guardian
Takeshi Furukawa
London Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Saga Scarlet Grace
Kenji Ito / VA
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY: BRAVE EXVIUS
Noriyasu Agematsu / Nobuo Uematsu, Evan Call, Natsumi Kameoka, Sachiko Miyano
Tokyo Symphonic Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Final Fantasy XV Concert
Yoko Shimomura
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Source


Tales of Orchestra
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


In 2016, the Symphonic Gamers concert was broadcasted on National Television and became known worldwide, the 2017 version even featured music from a western game composer and it was brought quickly to his attention (David Wise). It is now an annual affair, Symphonic Gamers 3 releasing this october. It was/is performed by JAGMO, the worlds first professional symphony orchestra dedicated solely to game music.



2017


Gravity Daze 2
Kohei Tanaka
Tokyo Symphonic Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


Aerial Legends
Michiru Oshima
Budapest Symphony Orchestra

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Source


DEEMO
Michiru Oshima
Sydney Scoring Orchestra

Sample


Valkyria Revolutions
Yasunori Mitsuda, Mariam Abounnasr, Sachiko Miyano
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nobunaga no Yabou: Taishi
Masako Otsuka / VA
Budapest Art Orchestra

Sample
Source


Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Yasunori Mitsuda, ACE, Kenji Hiramatsu, Manami Kiyota, Mariam Abounnasr, Takayuki Yoshimura
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Zodiac Age
Hitoshi Sakimoto, Hayato Matsuo, Masaharu Iwata, Nobuo Uematsu
SoundtRec Boston

Sample
Source


Super Robot Wars V
VA
Tokyo Studio Orchestra

Sample
Source


FINAL FANTASY XV: EPISODE IGNIS
Yasunori Mitssuda
Brüssel Philharmonic Orchestra

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Source


Monster Strike Symphony
Riichiro Kuwabara, Kuniyuki Takahashi / VA
New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Chor Fantasia

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Source


Kingdom Hearts Orchestra Album
Kaoru Wada, Natsumi Kameoka, Sachiko Miyano, Souhei Kano
Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Choir of Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Voces Tokyo

Sample
Source


Monster Hunter Concert 2017
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Voces Tokyo

Sample
Source


Kirby 25th Anniversary
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Eorzean Symphony
Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu / VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Kantai Classical Concert
VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Gensou Suikoden: Symphonic Fantasia
Masahiro Yamauchi, Konami Kukeiha Club (Miki Higashino) / Kunio Matsuzaki
JApan Game Music Orchestra

Sample

Source
Source


2018


Dragon Quest XI: Symphonic Suite
Koichi Sugiyama
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Seiken Densetsu 25th Anniversary Concert
VA
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Tales of orchestra 2017
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Motoi Sakuraba, Go Shiina / VA

Sample
Source


Game Symphony Japan 23rd Concert
VA
TOKYO Chamber Orchestra, The Philharmonic Chorus of Tokyo, The Little Singers of Tokyo

Sample
Source


Miku Symphony 2017

Source


Ni no Kuni II
Joe Hisaishi / VA
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Nier & Nier Automata Orchestra Album
VA
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra and Choir

Sample
Source


Bungo to Alchemist: Orchestra Album
Hideki Sakamoto
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Sample
Source


Octopath Traveler
Yasunori Nishiki
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra

Sample
Source


Inazuma Eleven: Ares
Yasunori Mitsuda
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra

Sample


One Piece World Seeker

Sample


Upcoming


Shin Sakura Taisen
Kohei Tanaka


Edge of Eternity
Yasunori Mitsuda
Bratislava Symphony Orchestra


Code Vein
Go Shiina
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra and Boston SoundTec Choir

God Eater 3
Go Shiina
Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra and Boston SoundTec Choir


Granblue Fantasy Re:Link
Nobuo Uematsu, Tsumo Narita
Tokyo Studio Orchestra


Quote:
One Hundred years since the birth of the “Famicom,”
video game music will become the classical music of its time.

In 2083, hundred years after the birth of the "Famicom," video game music will be recognized and performed by many people like the classical music of now. Many skilled artists will gather to develop this culture.

With this concept, I have opened the new portal site “2083 WEB” providing information of concerts performing video game music. This is also why I established the “4 STAR ORCHESTRA” which will perform video game music festivals every four years.

I hope that video game music (and also anime, drama and film music) will bring people together to create new forms of entertainment.
http://www.2083.jp/

Quote:
"JAGMO’s vision is to make game music a part of culture and give it its place in music history. In the future, I’d like to keep working to bring about things like instructional books on playing game music and schools dedicated to game music. In order to accomplish that, I think we need to not just produce something for consumers, but to have each performer put their life into it and make music that stirs the souls of the listeners. Even now, we’re all in the process of making that kind of music [...] I’d like for us to be an orchestra that even people who aren’t familiar with video games will listen to. In order for that to happen, we need completely new techniques and arrangements. I’d like to try mixing two songs that we currently do separately or fuse classical techniques with game music and do variations using various instruments. For example, I’d like to mix the “Golbez” and “Big Bridge” themes and bring out even more of what makes these pieces great. For that we need an excellent arranger and performers who really understand video game music, so we will have to expand the orchestra beyond where it is now." (JAGMO Producer Tadakaz Mishiya)
https://jagmo.jp/

Quote:
"I’m a conductor and love orchestral and classical music. For 200-300 years, classical music has been handed down and its fascination and force is immeasurable. At the same time I love game music. I am of the generation that grew up together with games getting more advanced. Every day I listened to the music that flowed from the game consoles. The music that I’ve listened to the most in my life might be video game music.

Orchestral music and game music. If the two kinds of music that I love unite, something wonderful must come out of it. That thought is why I want to perform game music with an orchestra. Maybe you could simply say it’s my hobby. Anyway, the answer is “because I love it”. (Yusuke Ichihara, founder of New Japan BGM Philharmonic Orchestra).
Nearly twenty orchestral albums have been produced in the last 30 months, ranging from honest symphonic arrangement to silly bouncy Jazz-Rock. In total well over 50 concerts were held in Japan in those 30 months about orchestral game music, from new founded units (Game Symphony Japan and JAGMO) to century old units (Tokyo Philharmonic).

Among those Sugiyama holds the record with most performances (Dragon Quest), followed by concerts which feature from small to big degree Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsuda and Kohei Tanaka.

If you look at the timeframe it just is simply astonishing.

And it shows no sign of stopping. From public TV appearances to private concerts, Japanese Game Concerts are not on the rise, they are an established component of Video Game Culture in Japan. A culture with genuine and skilled artist in all fields making everything from silly light-hearted fun to Renaissance, Expressionistic and Impressionistic Inspired Art. Games are celebrated in the concert hall, in theater, in cafe and bars. From Stageplay to Big Band evening, Games (and Anime) rule the cultural scene in Tokyo. In music celebration, concert audiences are polite and considerate, the people behind it enthusiastic and passionate. For some, even making Game Music into a new “Classical Genre” is a personal agenda.

[Orchestral Video Game History is Japanese Music History]



Important historic dates of orchestral video game music (subject to change)

Spoiler:
1986 - The first orchestral album for video games is Dragon Quest: Symphonic Suite by Koichi Sugiyama.

1987 - The First orchestral game concert is Dragon Quest in Concert by Sugiyama.

1988 - The first symphonic arrangement album for a game was Symphony Ys by Kentaro Haneda.

1989 - The first game to feature an orchestral ensemble was the first Nobunaga's Ambition game by Yoko Kanno.

1989 - Hiroshi Miyagawa wrote the first orchestral game score performed by a Symphony Orchestra that was partially used ingame.

1990 - Kohei Tanaka wrote the first fully orchestral game score used in a game.

1990 - The first game score to feature opera was Uncharted Waters by Yoko Kanno.

1991 - The First Orchestral Game Concert dedicated to multiple games and composers was Game Music Concert -The Best Selection-.

1991 - First overseas recording for a Japanese video game was Dragon Quest IV: Symphonic Suite in London.

1993 - First fully orchestral game score to feature opera: TM: Fun Kabuki-Den, by Kohei Tanaka.

1993 - First orchestral game score outside Japan (America): Voyeur by Garry Schyman.

1999 - First symphonic orchestral game score outside Japan (Europe): Outcast by Lennie Moore.

2003 - First orchestral game concert outside Japan, GC in Concert.

2008 - First orchestral game arrangement album outside Japan: Video Games Live / Echoes of War / Symphonic Shades.

2009 - First orchestral game concert to feature exclusivly Japanese music outside Japan, Symphonic Fantasies.

2010 - First orchestral game concert outside Japan dedicated to a Japanese composer, Symphonic Odysseys.

2017 - First fully orchestral game score outside Japan to feature Japanese video game tunes, Mario + Rabbits Kingdom Battle by Grant Kirkhope.

Last edited by VIN; Sep 2, 2018 at 01:31 PM.
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  #35  
Old Aug 25, 2018, 02:55 PM
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Thanks to all of you, I've edited the first post to incorporate our new discoveries.
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  #36  
Old Aug 25, 2018, 03:21 PM
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Psychonotes Psychonotes is offline
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You might want to add Panzer Dragoon to your "Japan 1995" list, since, like Arc the Lad, it featured an orchestral main theme, and also came out before Arc the Lad.
https://vgmdb.net/album/541
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  #37  
Old Sep 2, 2018, 05:15 PM
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A little late but I've added it
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  #38  
Old Sep 5, 2018, 12:30 PM
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Goldlink Goldlink is offline
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Some news about Koei's Soundware system. I've discovered that 2 games were released in Japan for the MSX computers bundled with the audio CD in 1989 and 7 more the following years until 1992) :

Bandit Kings of Ancient China
https://www.generation-msx.nl/softwa...1835/#rel_5230

Nobunaga's Ambition II
https://www.generation-msx.nl/softwa...1321/#rel_5229


You can notice the Compact Disc and the Soundware logos on the game covers. For now I don't know how exactly the game could be synchronized with the CD but the sticker "with Soundware CD" on some of the games let me think Koei wanted to advertise this special musical feature. I only know that most of CD-Rom drive could be connected to the MSX with an IDE or SCSI adapter (they were already available in 1989). I'm still investigating to know more about that.

Last edited by Goldlink; Sep 6, 2018 at 01:15 PM.
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  #39  
Old Sep 11, 2018, 12:35 PM
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Goldlink Goldlink is offline
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UPDATE : I've noticed that a CD-Rom FM Towns port of Pacific Theater of Operations was released in april 1990 (according to 2 different sources, Moby Games and Gamefaqs), so 8 months before Wizardry V. I really don't know why I didn't think to check that before ! That means that PTO is now the very first video game fully orchestral score (both on PC-88 with synchronized CD and on FM Towns with the full CD-Rom version). Looks like Hiroshi Miyagawa is finally our winner !

Last edited by Goldlink; Sep 11, 2018 at 11:24 PM.
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  #40  
Old Oct 27, 2018, 02:29 PM
fructus fructus is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinphonic View Post


Third fully orchestral game score and the first to feature opera: 1993

Far East of Eden/Tengai Makyou Fuun Kabuki Den
Composer: Kohei Tanaka
Orchestra: Tokyo Studio Ensemble and Choir
Recording date: 1993

Sample
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Where have I heard that Before?

Last edited by fructus; Oct 27, 2018 at 02:55 PM.
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