Final Fantasy
Last night, I met a childhood hero. I shook hands with Nobuo Uematsu.
As the Distant Worlds concert series finally came to San Francisco, I got to hear the music of the Final Fantasy games performed live by one of the finest orchestras in America. Even though I know the music inside and out, it was a real treat to hear it played live, surrounded by others as much into the music as I was. It was unlike any other concert I've attended, and even though it was more than two hours, I wanted it to go on. It felt so short!
But the real treat was the after party. I almost didn't go, because of the price of the ticket; but I decided that it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so I went. Crocuta ended up coming with me, so we both shuffled into a tiny lounge called the Crimson Lounge, two blocks away from Davies Symphony Hall. There, we were served horse-deouves, and we could order drinks from the small bar. They must have packed that lounge to capacity. I met a cool guy named Brian who works as a sound designer for the studio behind the Ratchet and Clank series. Then Nobuo-san and Arnie Roth arrived, and the party began. Even though they were upfront about wanting to party with us and not sign autographs (we were each handed a signed CD of Distant Worlds when we entered the lounge), they came prepared with silver pens all the same. I ended up getting my original SNES cartridge of Final Fantasy II signed. Nobuo-san is definately a guy who loves his parties, as he was having a grand time with the fans as they took pictures with him, clinking beer glasses together, shaking hands. I Got to thank him for all the incredible work he's done. I even got to talk a little with meastro Roth about the possibility of concert band arrangements of Final Fantasy music. I Wished I had gotten more time to just chat with Nobuo-san and Arnie, but given the sheer number of people there, I really can't be happier with the time that I did get with them.
A grand night indeed!
As the Distant Worlds concert series finally came to San Francisco, I got to hear the music of the Final Fantasy games performed live by one of the finest orchestras in America. Even though I know the music inside and out, it was a real treat to hear it played live, surrounded by others as much into the music as I was. It was unlike any other concert I've attended, and even though it was more than two hours, I wanted it to go on. It felt so short!
But the real treat was the after party. I almost didn't go, because of the price of the ticket; but I decided that it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so I went. Crocuta ended up coming with me, so we both shuffled into a tiny lounge called the Crimson Lounge, two blocks away from Davies Symphony Hall. There, we were served horse-deouves, and we could order drinks from the small bar. They must have packed that lounge to capacity. I met a cool guy named Brian who works as a sound designer for the studio behind the Ratchet and Clank series. Then Nobuo-san and Arnie Roth arrived, and the party began. Even though they were upfront about wanting to party with us and not sign autographs (we were each handed a signed CD of Distant Worlds when we entered the lounge), they came prepared with silver pens all the same. I ended up getting my original SNES cartridge of Final Fantasy II signed. Nobuo-san is definately a guy who loves his parties, as he was having a grand time with the fans as they took pictures with him, clinking beer glasses together, shaking hands. I Got to thank him for all the incredible work he's done. I even got to talk a little with meastro Roth about the possibility of concert band arrangements of Final Fantasy music. I Wished I had gotten more time to just chat with Nobuo-san and Arnie, but given the sheer number of people there, I really can't be happier with the time that I did get with them.
A grand night indeed!