Discography of Final Fantasy VI

The music of the video game "Final Fantasy VI" was composed by regular series composer Nobuo Uematsu. The "Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version", a compilation of all the music in the game, was released in Japan by NTT Publishing in 1994 and re-released by Square Enix in 2004. The album was released by Square Co./NTT Publishing in North America in 1994 under the name "Kefka's Domain". Selected tracks from the official soundtrack were later released as part of the "Music From FFV and FFVI Video Games" album that was included with the release of "Final Fantasy Anthology", and two EPs were produced containing character theme tracks entitled "Final Fantasy VI Stars Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2". A special orchestral arrangement of selected tracks from the game, arranged by Shiro Sagisu and Tsuneyoshi Saito, and performed by the Milan Symphony Orchestra, was released under the title "Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale" by NTT Publishing in 1994 and 2004, and a collection of piano arrangements, arranged by Shirou Satou and performed by Reiko Nomura, was released under the title "Piano Collections Final Fantasy VI" by Square/NTT Publishing in 1994 and by NTT Publishing in 2001. Additionally, a single containing unused and remixed songs from the game was released as "Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks" by NTT Publishing in 1994.

The music received very positive reviews, with reviewers finding it to be one of the best video game music soundtracks ever composed. Several songs, particularly "Aria di Mezzo Carattere", remain popular today, and have been performed numerous times in orchestral concert series such as the "Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy" concert series and the Orchestral Game Concert series. Music from the soundtrack has also been published in arranged albums and compilations by Square as well as outside groups.

Albums

"Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack"

Infobox Album
Name = Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu


Cover size = 150
Released = March 25, 1994
July 1, 1994 ("Kefka's Domain")
October 1, 2004 (re-release)
Recorded = Sunrise Studios
Genre =
Length = Disc 1: 58:00
Disc 2: 57:18
Disc 3: 72:03
Label = NTT Publishing
Square ("Kefka's Domain")
Square Enix (re-release)
Producer = Nobuo Uematsu
Reviews =

"Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack" is a soundtrack album containing musical tracks from the game, composed and produced by Nobuo Uematsu. The album was originally released through NTT Publishing on March 25, 1994 under the name "Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version" and the catalog numbers "PSCN-5001~3", and was later re-released by Square Enix on October 1, 2004 with the new name and catalog numbers "NTCP-5001~3". The soundtrack spans three discs and has a combined duration of 3:07:21.cite web | author=Gann, Patrick; Schweitzer, Ben| title=Final Fantasy VI OSV | publisher=RPGFan | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff6ost/index.html | accessdate=2008-04-04] The soundtrack was also officially released in the United States by Square/NTT Publishing under the name of "Kefka's Domain" on July 1, 1994. This version of the album is the same as its Japanese counterpart, except for different packaging and small differences in the translation of some track names between the album and newer releases. The album has a catalog number of "SQ108".cite web | author=Thomas, Damian| title=Final Fantasy III: Kefka's Domain | publisher=RPGFan | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff3kefka/index.html | accessdate=2008-04-04]

Ten tracks from the soundtrack, comprising all of the character themes for the required characters of the game, were released in a pair of EPs entitled "Final Fantasy VI Stars Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2". The CDs were released in 1994 by NTT Publishing with durations of 13:04 and 11:54 and catalog numbers of "N09D-023" and "NO9D-024", respectively. [cite web | title=Final Fantasy VI Stars vol. 1 | url=http://ffmusic.info/ff6stars1.html | publisher=ffmusic.info | accessdate=2008-04-04] [cite web | title=Final Fantasy VI Stars vol. 2 | url=http://ffmusic.info/ff6stars2.html | publisher=ffmusic.info | accessdate=2008-04-04] Additionally, thirteen tracks from the soundtrack were included in a bonus CD titled "Music From FFV and FFVI Video Games" that shipped with "Final Fantasy Anthology" on October 5, 1999. [cite web | author=Gann, Patrick | title=Music From FFV and FFVI Video Games | url=http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffanthcd/index.html | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2008-03-25] The soundtrack was again released as part of the "Final Fantasy Finest Box" by Square Enix on March 28, 2007 under the catalog numbers "FFFB-0004-6" along with the OSTs of "Final Fantasy IV" and "Final Fantasy V" after the game was ported to the Game Boy Advance.cite web | author=Tjan, Mark | title=FF Finest Box | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff-finest/index.html| work=RPGFan| accessdate=2008-04-23] [cite web | author=Square Enix Music Online | title=Final Fantasy Finest Box - Album Information | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/f/ff4-6box.shtml| work=Square Enix Music | accessdate=2008-04-23]

listen
filename = Final Fantasy VI OSV mix.ogg
title = Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack mix
description = Short mix of "Celes's Theme", "Terra's Theme" and "Dancing Mad" — 140 KB
format = Ogg

Track listing

"Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale"

Infobox Album
Name = Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu
Released = May 25, 1994
October 1, 2004 (re-release)
Recorded = Logic Studios
Genre =
Length = 54:32
Label = NTT Publishing
Producer = Nobuo Uematsu
Reviews =

"Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale" is a collection of orchestral arrangements of "Final Fantasy VI" music composed by Nobuo Uematsu and arranged by Shiro Sagisu and Tsuneyoshi Saito. It was initially released through NTT Publishing on May 25, 1994 under the catalog number "PSCN-5004" and subsequently re-released on October 1, 2004 under the catalog number "NTCP-5004". The arrangements are performed by the Milan Symphony Orchestra, with vocal performances by Svetla Krasteva. The album spans 11 tracks and covers a duration of 54:33.cite web | author=Gann, Patrick; Space, Daniel | title=Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale | publisher=RPGFan | url=http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff6finale/index.html | accessdate=2008-03-01]

listen
filename = Aria di Mezzo Carattere (Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale).ogg
title = Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale
description = Sample of "Aria di Mezzo Carattere" — 142 KB
format = Ogg

"Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks"

Infobox Album
Name = Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu
Released = April 25, 1994
Recorded = Snow Studio, Studio Take One
Genre =
Length = 20:46
Label = NTT Publishing
Producer =
Reviews =

"Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks" is an EP released on April 25, 1994, through NTT Publishing with the catalog number "PSDN-6101". It is comprised primarily of unused or remixed tracks for "Final Fantasy VI", including exclusive unused vocal track "Chikazuku Yokan", as well as a remixed version of the "Final Fantasy IV" track "Troian Beauty". The CD spans six tracks and covers a duration of 20:46.cite web | author=Gann, Patrick | title=Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff6special/index.html | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2008-04-04]

listen
filename = Approaching Sentiment (Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks).ogg
title = Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks
description = Sample of "Chikazuku Yokan" — 168 KB
format = Ogg

Reception and legacy

"Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version" was very well received by critics. Ben Schweitzer of RPGFan claimed that "almost every track here is truly a very good, or even a great composition." Issac Engelhorn of Soundtrack Central agreed, claiming it to be the best video soundtrack ever, a sentiment Jon Turner and Nick Melton of Soundtrack Central agreed with. [cite web| author= Engelhorn, Isaac; Fornaca, Zack; Lau, Aaron; Melton, Nick; Turner, Jon| url=http://altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff6osv.htm|title=Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version| publisher=Soundtrack Central| accessdate=2008-04-07] Patrick Gann of RPGFan claimed that the "Dancing Mad" track contained some of the "most astounding music ever created on a keyboard" and highly recommended the soundtrack. "Piano Collections Final Fantasy VI" was similarly well received, with Daniel Space of RPGFan terming it an "amazing CD". Sigmund Shen of Soundtrack Central concurred, calling it "an impressive CD" and "a must-have".cite web| author= King, Gary; Shen, Sigmund| url=http://altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff6pc.htm|title=Final Fantasy VI Piano Collections| publisher=Soundtrack Central| accessdate=2008-04-07] Gary King of Soundtrack Central termed it "simply astonishing", while Neil Cullen of Final Fantasy Symphony concluded it was "a magnificent collection of piano music." [cite web| author= Cullen, Neil| url=http://www.ffsymphony.net/staff_reviews.php?soundtrack_id=24|title=Staff Soundtrack Reviews: Final Fantasy VI: Piano Collections| publisher=Final Fantasy Symphony| accessdate=2008-04-07] "Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale" was well received by critics, though not as well as the other albums of music from the game. Daniel Space found that, while he was pleased with the album as a whole, there were issues with the track selections and arrangement quality that detracted from the album. Adam Corn of Soundtrack Central found that, while not without flaws, the album was "interesting and entertaining". [cite web| author= Corn, Adam| url=http://altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff6gf.htm|title=Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale| publisher=Soundtrack Central| accessdate=2008-04-07] Ethan of Final Fantasy Symphony disagreed, however, finding the album to be "one of the finest arrangements of Final Fantasy" music he had heard. [cite web| author= Ethan| url=http://www.ffsymphony.net/staff_reviews.php?soundtrack_id=36 |title=Staff Soundtrack Reviews: Final Fantasy VI: Grand Finale| publisher=Final Fantasy Symphony| accessdate=2008-04-07] Patrick Gann concurred, saying that while there are a few minor arrangement issues, the overall quality of the album is great. "Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks", while not as widely reviewed, was seen as "very neat" by Patrick Gann, who especially liked the "Techno de Chocobo" track.

Uematsu was personally very pleased with the way that the soundtrack for "Final Fantasy VI" turned out, and has said in interviews that he felt that "with the satisfaction and excitement I felt after finishing that project, I thought I had reached my primary goal, and could quit doing game music with no regrets."cite web | author=Uematsu, Nobuo | title=Gun Hazard Original Soundtrack Liner Notes | date=1995-12-12 | url=http://www.chudahs-corner.com/liners/index.php?catalog=PSCN-5044%7E5 | publisher=Chudah's Corner | accessdate=2008-04-07] He stated in the liner notes for "Piano Collections Final Fantasy VI" that he intended the music to be emotionally moving, and entreated the listener not to think about the music, but to feel it.cite web | author=Uematsu, Nobuo | title=Final Fantasy VI Piano Collections | url=http://x111.com/ffmo/Liner_Notes/ff6pc.php | publisher=Final Fantasy Music Online | accessdate=2008-04-07] He also feels that the title track for "Final Fantasy VI" was the most challenging track he has ever made. [cite web | author=D., Spence | title=Nobuo Part 2 | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/530/530286p1.html | publisher=IGN| accessdate=2008-07-26] As for "Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale", on the other hand, Uematsu has said that he was "not satisfied with this album at all", due to the deviation it took from his original visions for the music due to his lack of personal involvement in the arrangements.cite web | author=Uematsu, Nobuo | date=1994-03-21 | title=Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale | url=http://x111.com/ffmo/Liner_Notes/ff6gf.php | publisher=Final Fantasy Music Online | accessdate=2008-04-07] Although he did not feel that the album was a poor one, saying that if he said nothing no one would ever know of his dissatisfaction, he felt that it was not what he would have created if he had "defend [ed] the image of each song".

The Black Mages, a band led by Nobuo Uematsu that arranges music from "Final Fantasy" video games into a rock music style, has arranged four pieces from "Final Fantasy VI". These are "The Decisive Battle", "Battle", and "Dancing Mad" from "The Black Mages", published in 2003, and "Darkness and Starlight", based on "Aria di Mezzo Carattere", from ', published in 2008. [(February 19, 2003). The Black Mages. DigiCube. SSCX-10080] [(March 19, 2008). The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight. Sony Music Distribution. DERP-10002] A lyrical version of "Kids Run Through the City", sung by Risa Ohki, appears on ', a compilation album produced by Square. [(June 25, 1994). "Final Fantasy: Pray". NTT Publishing. PSCN-5006] Additionally, a lyrical version of "Relm's Theme", sung by Risa Ohki and Ikuko Noguchi, appears on "". [(November 25, 1995). "Final Fantasy: Love Will Grow". NTT Publishing. PSCN-5041]

Uematsu continues to perform certain pieces in his "Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy" concert series. [cite web | author=Schnieder, Peer | title=Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy | publisher=IGN | date=2005-05-11 | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/513/513292p1.html | accessdate=2006-03-01] The music of "Final Fantasy VI" has also appeared in various official concerts and live albums, such as "20020220 music from FINAL FANTASY", a live recording of an orchestra performing music from the series including "Terra's Theme". [cite web| url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/20020220/index.html|title=20020220 - Music from FINAL FANTASY| publisher=RPGFan| accessdate=2007-04-01] "Aria di Mezzo Carattere" was played as "Love Oath, Maria and Draco" by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in their fourth Orchestral Game Concert in 1994 as part of a five concert tour, which was later released as a series of albums. [(November 21, 1994). "Orchestral Game Concert 4". Warner Music Japan. SRCL-2736 ] Additionally, "Aria di Mezzo Carattere" was performed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in the "" concert series. [cite web| url= http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/dvds/tourdejapon.shtml| title=Album Information - Tour de Japon: Music from Final Fantasy DVD|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=2008-02-22] Independent but officially licensed releases of "Final Fantasy VI" music have been composed by such groups as Project Majestic Mix, which focuses on arranging video game music. [cite web | author=Rzeminski, Lucy | title=Project Majestic Mix: A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu - Gold Edition | publisher=RPGFan | date=2002-07-02 | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/pmm-gold/index.html | accessdate=2008-08-13] Selections also appear on Japanese remix albums, called dojin music, and on English remixing websites. [cite web | title=Game: Final Fantasy VI (SNES) | url=http://www.ocremix.org/game/final-fantasy-vi-snes/ | publisher=OverClocked ReMix | accessdate=2008-04-04]

References

External links

* [http://na.square-enix.com/uematsu/ Nobuo Uematsu's official website]