The Legend Behind T he Fantasy

1. The Legend Behind The Fantasy A Journey With Nobuo Uematsu

2. Once Upon A Time… Nobuo Uematsu’s Early Years

3. Humble Beginnings • Born March 21st, 1959 in Kochi, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. • Started to play the Piano at age 11. • Self-taught and inspired/influenced by Elton John. • Graduated from Kanagawa University.

4. Career Start First Jobs His “Big Break” • Played the keyboard for some amateur bands. • Composed TV commercials here and there. • Worked at a Music Rental Shop in Tokyo. • In 1985 he was offered to write some music for a video game company called “Square.” • He considered it a side job and planned it to stay that way until 1987 with the release of Final Fantasy.

5. Considered to be the last game made by Square after 15 previous unsuccessful video game attempts. Became the flagship for the Final Fantasy series and saved the company. He continued to write music for more than 30 titles but most notably the Final Fantasy series which made his work famous world wide. His music would continue to define and innovate video game music scores.

6. Primary Career, Work and Demand Increasing Opportunities Some “Firsts” • Was the primary composer for most Final Fantasy titles. • Helped with several other major successes such as Chrono Trigger, some of the SaGa series, and others. • Went on to compose music for anime, films, and anything else that came his way. • Uematsu was the first video game music composer to win “Song of the Year (Western Music)” in 1999, also the first time a video game song had won such an honor. • In 2010 he was also the first composer to be included in a major classical label commemorating video game music by Benyamin Nuss.

7. The Music Still Plays On • In 2002 Uematsu joined some friends and started the band “The Black Mages.” • Nobuo Uematsu left Square in 2004 to form the company “Smile Please” and a music production company called “Dog Ear Records.” • Works freelance writing music for anyone who can afford him.

8. Dancing Mad Listening Guide (note: Distant Worlds version)

9. History • Last boss song for Final Fantasy VI against the insane clown, KefkaPalazzo. • Uematsu just kept going with the song instead of timing it to the usual 4 to 5 minute limit. • Dante Aligheri's“Divine Comedy” was the main inspiration for art and music.

10. Movements (part i) 1st Movement 2nd Movement • Cantata for Dancing I: Mors ego sum mortis • Dramatic tension builds from the get-go. • Organ, strings, choir and percussion brilliantly set the mood for the song. • Establishes themes. • Cantata for Dancing II: FugaKefka • Organ solo mixed with choir on a syncopated rhythms. • Theme is repeated but building crescendo to fortissimo.

11. Movements (part ii) 3rd Movement 4th Movement • Cantata for Dancing III: SprachKefka • Top and bottom counterpoint melodies. • Organ cadenza. • Tempo slows and later resumes allegro pace. • Organ fugal rhythm. • Dancing Madly (First Form) • Change to steady rock melody. • More synthesized instrument quality. • Faster pace representing the chaos and madness of Kefka.

12. Movements (part iii) 5th Movement • Dancing Madly (Second Form) • Organ woeful sounding melody starts and is quickly joined by the rest of the orchestra. • Guitar solo in the background that sounds Bach-inspired. Hear the Distant Worlds version Hear the Original version Hear The Black Mages version

13. One-Winged Angel Listening Guide (note: Distant Worlds version)

14. History • Last boss song of Final Fantasy VII, famous for being the first video game music to come as close as possible to orchestra and choir sounds despite being on limited sound technology. • Fan-favorite hands down; always the encore piece in concerts. • Inspired by Isaiah 6:2. (However, the name and title isn’t in reference to these six wings, but the seventh black wing on Sephiroth’sarm)

15. Lyrics Latin Translation • CHORUS Estuansinterius Ira vehementiSephiroth • REPEAT CHORUS • SorsimmanisEt inanis • REPEAT CHORUS • Veni, veni, venias, Ne me morifacias. GloriosaNe me morifaciasGenerosaVeni, veni, venias, Gloriosa Ne me morifaciasGenerosaSephiroth • CHORUS • Burning inside with violent anger Sephiroth • REPEAT CHORUS • Fate - monstrous And empty • REPEAT CHORUS • Come, come, O come, Do not let me die. GloriousDo not let me die Noble Come, come, O come, Glorious Do not let me die NobleSephiroth

16. 1st Part 0:00 to 1:00 1:00 to 2:00 • Strong beginning that is instantly recognizable. • Changes from staccato to conjunct textures. • Small repeating sets that build in instruments and crescendo. • The choir sings the recurring motif that will be heard throughout the rest of the song. • Orchestra fully supports the word painting by the choir. • Chorus repeats.

17. 2nd Part 2:00 to 3:00 3:00 to 4:00 • Trumpet descant above repeating chorus. • Strings bring out the Psycho-inspired theme. • Calling and responding from various instruments echoing each other. • A sudden ritardando and all instruments and choir reunite. • New instruments take over main melody and a xylophone plays in tandem with flutes. • Begin final set of lyrics starting with men repeating an underlying theme.

18. 3rd Part 4:00 to End • The women have joined the men but they are singing elongated single words while men continue their quick steady rhythm. • Chorus returns full strength. • Instruments fade out and then all come back together for final “Sephiroth!” Listen to the Original version Listen to the Distant Worlds version Listen to the Advent Children (Black Mages) version

19. Works Cited / Bibliography • "Dancing Mad - The Final Fantasy Wiki." Final Fantasy Wiki - Welcome to the Final Fantasy Wiki! Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Dancing_Mad>. • "One-Winged Angel - The Final Fantasy Wiki." Final Fantasy Wiki - Welcome to the Final Fantasy Wiki! Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/One_Winged_Angel>. • "A Day in the Life of Nobuo Uematsu." Www.nobuouematsu.com. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nobuouematsu.com/nobegm2.html>. • Interview by EGM.com, or EGMnow.com, Electronic Game Magazine • "Destructoid Interview: Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu -Destructoid." Destructoid: For Gamers. By Gamers. *. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-interview-final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu-128986.phtml>.