Critiquing V.G Concert Music

[Songbird]

As the title says, this thread is for discussion over the music which is played at video game concerts; not a school, marching band, and etc. Those will be for another thread. Before I start this thread is not for the purpose of bashing, trashing, thrashing, and anything of those matters; to either the music or the individual critiquing. We may question each others thoughts, but lets try to prevent any fires.

Play! A Video Game Symphony, Kingdom Hearts - I should first bring up that there have been changes to the tempo with the beginning of the segment which is HIKARI-KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version; the earlier concerts played much closer to the tempo of the original compared to the more recent ones which is what is in their CD. This newer version feels rushed; not to mention this song is also brief. Then comes the next song, Fantasia alla marcia for piano, chorus, and orchestra. I was really excited to hear this, but unfortunately it falls victim to the same issue with the previous song. The tempo is much faster and you don't get to hear the whole song which is a shame considering it's the only concert playing it; plus it's one of the greatest credits music ever! The third and last song played is Passion -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version- and thankfully they didn't change a thing; everything is faithful to this tune.

What I felt they should of done is just pick one song and stick to it. I love those songs, but I felt kind of cheated that the first two weren't played how they were written and were very brief. If they play the third song fully then just play that one and leave the other two out; I won't mind. The other two deserve to be played fully, not slapped on.

Here's the CD. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdk5Qx-AkM)
A concert from 2006 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtJRnFgPBxI) and the most recent one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xxVSvNVwWQ&feature=related). (Mind the quality... I should also add that there are spoilers thanks to the images, so don't watch just listen to it if you don't want to be spoiled.)

[AozoraX]

I totally agree with your statement. When I was listening to the track, I was kind of like, "What the heck? That's over with? Least Passion's alright."

To be honest, maybe they're just trying to get the newest piece of music out there instead of replaying Hikari over and over again? To be honest, I've yet to see anyone put together such a crazy Kingdom Hearts compilation together.
Except for Symphonic Fantasies, oh my gosh that was an eargasm. But I digress.

I don't think Play! intentially meant to rip anyone off on the music, but to maybe progress through a timeline of games? But in the end they rushed it and did it no justice.

[Terraguy]

My concern with that piece was that it felt rushed, and the tempo changes just really didn't help. Plus their selections were short; I definitely wish each segment of the piece was longer (this all ties in with what Songbird said).

I do wonder, of course, whether they've matured since then; it's been a while since they released their CD, and perhaps it's changed in actual concerts?

[Songbird]

My concern with that piece was that it felt rushed, and the tempo changes just really didn't help. Plus their selections were short; I definitely wish each segment of the piece was longer (this all ties in with what Songbird said).

I do wonder, of course, whether they've matured since then; it's been a while since they released their CD, and perhaps it's changed in actual concerts?

Well if you would watch the most recent video in my previous post the Ohio concert is there and it basically sounds like the CD.

[Swish]

I have to agree with the tempo criticisms above. The opening piece in particular sounds like the conductor is on a massive caffeine high.

Bringing a bit of positivity into this thread early on, to Play!'s credit they have a very nice full orchestral take on bits from the Hyrule Symphony arranged album in their Zelda segment. Listen here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi99oDALtRU). My biggest crticism extends to the medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRZqVDs6moQ) they sourced, which is that they don't spend nearly enough time on the 'Dark World' theme - Play! have a fantastic arrangement and I'd love to hear it extended. I'd also say that 'Ballad of the Wind Fish' at the end there seems a bit overly bombastic considering the sedateness of the original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDEKGOyLpUc) and its being arguably one of the less iconic pieces in the segment.

Another I'd like to present for consideration: Eminence Symphony's performance of 'The Unsung War', the awesome final mission theme to dear old Ace Combat 5:

MIDItastic original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Qkzj5bStU)
2009 Eminence performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxppxwtIhWQ)

They have a harp on stage here (other pieces in the same concert recording use it) so I don't know what's going on with cutting out the harp part (most conspicuous at the point about 3:14 in the original and 3:30 in the Eminence version). But more than that I feel like it's difficult to get a hold of the pulse in Eminence's slow and deliberate performance, in a way that seems as if the orchestra itself was struggling with it, at least until the relatively sparse percussion comes in and they conspicuously pick up the pace, but even after that they don't seem entirely comfortable with it. Meanwhile the choir is... well. Just bad, really. Not really singing with one voice, and clearly out of tune in places. All that said, their performance of the big reprise at 3:55ish is actually rather spiffy while it lasts. What do you think?

[Terraguy]

Another I'd like to present for consideration: Eminence Symphony's performance of 'The Unsung War', the awesome final mission theme to dear old Ace Combat 5:

MIDItastic original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Qkzj5bStU)
2009 Eminence performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxppxwtIhWQ)

They have a harp on stage here (other pieces in the same concert recording use it) so I don't know what's going on with cutting out the harp part (most conspicuous at the point about 3:14 in the original and 3:30 in the Eminence version). But more than that I feel like it's difficult to get a hold of the pulse in Eminence's slow and deliberate performance, in a way that seems as if the orchestra itself was struggling with it, at least until the relatively sparse percussion comes in and they conspicuously pick up the pace, but even after that they don't seem entirely comfortable with it. Meanwhile the choir is... well. Just bad, really. Not really singing with one voice, and clearly out of tune in places. All that said, their performance of the big reprise at 3:55ish is actually rather spiffy while it lasts. What do you think?

Ah, I remember the recording of the piece. I always felt like it got off to a weak beginning, and the choir seemed to drag it down a clear departure from the fantastic original.

[Phoenix.Wright]

I shall disagree with what has been said, concerning the Kingdom Heart segement. I've been listening to both of them, and both sound good to me. They're sure different -faster paced-, but i felt it like providing more "epicness" to the segment. Sure, it's meant to be slower, but it didn't shock me at all.
I found this was quite fitting the "epic adventure" from the game.

After all, what would be the point of listening to Video Games Music in a concert if they're not slightly arranged? Otherwise we could go on youtube.

[AozoraX]

I do see your point. I don't argue that the arrangements had an epic feel, but they were underwhelming in some of very vital tunes and pivotal melodies that defined the series to begin with. I think that's my biggest beef with their arrangement. :(

[DancingFlameDragon]

I also listened to the KH segment, and while I don't dislike it I agree about the odd tempo changes. I don't even mind it for Fantasia Alla Marcia, which I think they kept to the right length as well, but during Hikari it sounds like some of the instruments are trying too hard to keep up with each other. It's nice that they're using more than one piece from the game though (as much as I like Hikari, there are a lot of other fantastic pieces of music from KH to use as well).

[Songbird]

I shall disagree with what has been said, concerning the Kingdom Heart segement. I've been listening to both of them, and both sound good to me. They're sure different -faster paced-, but i felt it like providing more "epicness" to the segment. Sure, it's meant to be slower, but it didn't shock me at all.
I found this was quite fitting the "epic adventure" from the game.

After all, what would be the point of listening to Video Games Music in a concert if they're not slightly arranged? Otherwise we could go on youtube.

Don't get me wrong I think they sound nice, even with the changed tempo, but the experience feels a little out of place; to me at least. If anything this faster tempo felt more suited for a marching band rather than a large professional orchestra.

As for Swish's Ace Combat: 5 The Unsung War... WOW! I've never heard it before; thanks for sharing it. As for Eminence's version the biggest complaint I have with it is the lack of power; which is strange considering they did better with GoW2. Not to mention everything which Swish has mentioned. The choir sounded off particularly the men, not being sexist or anything; however they do sound better when they're together.