Search - Nobuo Uematsu (Composer), Hollywood Symphony Orchestra :: Final Fantasy: The Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Perform The Music of Nobuo Uematsu

Poor quality production and nothing "new"

Jennifer L. Prichard | Loveland, OH United States | 08/09/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike most other items I've bought from Amazon, I failed to read the reviews for this particular CD before purchasing. Being a fan of the Final Fantasy series, I think I fell into a bit of the "fanboy" (well in my case, "fangirl" I guess) syndrome. Also I didn't do my homework at all and thought this was an orchestrated recording, which it most certainly is not.



I own most of the Final Fantasy OST's (and heartily endorse them for fans of the games) and this particular CD does nothing new or compelling to the music. Tracks 1-7 are pretty much carbon copies of their OST counterparts. Track 8, the opening theme of FFVIII (Liberi Fatali) has a very odd synth-solo vocal mix covering what is in the original a very moving choral section. Tracks 9-11 again are basically copies of the OST. Track 12, "Alexandria (Vivi's Theme)" is the only somewhat-original track, as it seems to put together several pieces from the FFIX soundtrack in a medley of sorts.



Unless you are a rabid fan who must have everything FF, I recommend saving up and purchasing the real OST's instead of this disc. While I don't see non-fans flocking to purchase this disc, it might be worthwile if you're only slightly interested in the series and want a taste. Even in that event I'd be worried this disc would turn those people off from the series entirely.



Pros:

Cheap (I paid $6, new)

Track 12 is worth a listen



Cons:

Tracks 1-7, 9-11 offer nothing much new or different

Track 8 has creepy (in a bad way) synth/voice mixes"

Worthless MIDI music.

JD Paul | TIV: Better Than Life! | 11/01/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this title in a local music store this morning. "Music Inspired by Final Fantasy," it said. "The Hollywood Symhony Orchestra and Chorus Perform the Music of Nobuo Uematsu," it said.
Apparently, the Hollywood Sympony Orchestra lives in the computer of some 15 year old MIDI music enthusiast.
That's right, it's a CD full of worthless computer-generated MIDI music. It's not even decent MIDI music.
It's an insult to fans of the Final Fantasy series and Nobuo Uematsu's great compositions. This is music that would sound better coming out of a 6 year old Soundblaster 16 on somebody's decrepit 486. The instruments are poorly sampled and the "chorus" is laughable with its single syllable. That's right, "Liberi Fatali" no longer consists of the chorus of "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec," it is now "wwooooohhh oohhhhh. . . wwoooohhh oohhhh. . ."
Pathetic.
I have been a long time fan of the series and of Nobuo Uematsu's work. His game compositions and orchestrated (with a real orchestra, mind you) renditions are stunning. . . but this CD outright enrages me. Whoever dreamed this CD up should be ashamed for taking advantage of fans with this worthless music and for having the gall to include Mr. Uematsu's name so prominently on the front.
At least they had the courtesy to free him of blame - the back of the jewel case states, "THIS RECORDING IS NEITHER SPONSORED NOR ENDORSED BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS OR OWNERS."It's a good thing they didn't endorse it."

A Deceptively Bad Album

Alex Johnson-Buck | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 12/28/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not sure how the makers of this CD got away with claiming that this music was performed by the Hollywood Symphony "Orchestra" and "Chorus." In reality, what this package presents as an orchestra is merely a collection of synthesized/sampled instruments playing a smattering of tracks from the series in a not-so-musical way.



Not all of the tracks are horrible, mind you; apart from the Final Fantasy VIII tracks (8-11), most of the songs on this disc are worth a listen. The problem is that this CD feels more like an emulation than an elaboration. Lacking both live instruments and any truly inspired arrangements, it fails to deliver anything beyond the original music.



It's cheap price is it's one saving feature. For avid fans, it's worth checking out. Just don't expect anything beyond what you're paying for."