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Home , Final Symphony, Hiroki Kikuta, Jonne Valtonen, Kingdom Hearts, Mana (series), Nobuo Uematsu

6 OCTOBER 2016 // 8 PM

LONDON

London Symphony Orchestra THURSDAY · 6 OCTOBER 2016 8:00 PM BARBICAN CENTRE, LONDON I

Who would have thought it? Disney legends MUSIC COMPOSED BY such as , , and Bambi crossing paths with popular »« characters in , Halloween Town, and The Grid. While this scenario sounds unlikely, it is precisely what LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA happens in »KINGDOM HEARTS«. Since the ECKEHARD STIER, CONDUCTOR series’ debut in 2002, these action-packed ROMAN SIMOVIC, LEADER role-playing games have captivated more LONDON SYMPHONY CHORUS than 25 million young and young-at-heart DAVID LAWRENCE, CHORUS MASTER people. The series now spans seven different instalments for consoles. SLAVA SIDORENKO, RONY BARRAK, DARBOUKA The composer behind »KINGDOM HEARTS« : is Yoko Shimomura. Initially planning on becoming a piano teacher, she studied music ROGER WANAMO in Osaka. Yet following graduation in 1988, she decided to enter the industry WILL BE BACK IN CONCERT IN 2017 WITH THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. KEEP INFORMED AT instead. She quickly built up a reputation WWW.GAMECONCERTS.COM for writing thrilling soundtracks for various TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LONDON SYMPHONY fighting and role-playing games. Her musical ORCHESTRA AND OUR FUTURE CONCERTS VISIT WWW.LSO.CO.UK talent culminates in the soundtracks for the »KINGDOM HEARTS« series. Combining original themes with Disney favourites, interweaving catchy pop songs with complex symphonic music, her soundtracks have reached the hearts of countless gamers.

SECRET OF Fantasy II

When »« came out in 1993, few Westerners knew that it was meant to be the second part of a series called »Seiken Densetsu«. Nevertheless, it was hailed as a masterpiece by fans and critics alike. Its imaginative and unpretentious storyline follows a young man who embarks on an exciting adventure after being banished from his home village. Indeed, the entire game takes a fresh approach to the role- playing / action-adventure genres. The soundtrack’s composer is Hiroki Kikuta. FINAL FANTASY Before joining SQUARE Co., Ltd. in 1991, Fantasy IV Kikuta studied philosophy, worked as a cartoonist, and composed for Japanese animations. Barely two years later, he was In 1987, the most successful role-playing able to celebrate his first great as game series ever was born: »FINAL FANTASY«. a game composer: »Secret of Mana«. In Almost 30 years later, the series’ games Japan alone, over 1.5 million people were continue to captivate players over the world able to experience Hiroki Kikuta’s beautiful on all platforms. From its 8-bit beginnings melodies. In 1993, based on the highly to fully computer-animated feature films, imaginative soundtrack, he produced no other name reflects the digital revolution »Secret of Mana +«, a CD consisting of one quite as dramatically. With over 115 million single 50-minute piece. Innovative and units sold, the series has long since unconventional, the also quickly conquered every media: feature films and TV gained cult status. series, and novels, audio dramas and soundtrack .

CHRONO TRIGGER / The leading composer of the series is Nobuo CROSS Uematsu. Writing music for video games Fantasy III since the mid-eighties, he is regarded as a veteran and innovator of the industry. From its debut in 1987 to its ninth instalment Discover what was, what will be, and what in 2000, he alone created the ever more could have been. The idea of travelling substantial soundtracks for »FINAL through time, through the centuries FANTASY«. He continues to work on the and eras, has always fascinated people. series to this day, often in collaboration »« and »« with other composers and arrangers. Nobuo are perfect examples of how moving and Uematsu’s name is inextricably linked with romantic such trips can be, especially when the »FINAL FANTASY« series: It is printed on told interactively. Small wonder that, to- the millions of CDs sold and celebrated with date, these games have found a passionate sold out concert tours. A true star, Nobuo following of more than five million gamers. Uematsu even has his own fan club.

Yasunori Mitsuda started his career as a humble sound programmer, and only after persistent nagging was he finally allowed to incorporate his own compositions into video Text: Matthias Oborski games. A wise decision, because his first soundtrack turned out to be one of the most beautiful and important works of music for the gaming industry: »CHRONO TRIGGER« was the role-playing success of 1995. And Mitsuda’s three disc soundtrack eclipsed everything gamers had been accustomed to until then. In 1999, he also composed a lavish soundtrack for the equally successful sequel, »CHRONO CROSS«, with Celtic, African and Indian influences. Both soundtracks are still so incredibly popular that, time and again, they are remixed and covered by professionals and fans alike. © Ranald Mackechnie / LSO 2015 / LSO Mackechnie © Ranald

London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra is bringing Gianandrea Noseda and Daniel Harding as the greatest music to the greatest number of Principal Guest Conductors, Michael Tilson people. This is at the heart of everything that Thomas as Conductor Laureate and André it does. This commitment to serve music and Previn as Conductor Emeritus. LSO Discovery, the people who love music is borne of a unique the Orchestra’s community and education ethos developed over more than 100 years. programme based at LSO St Luke’s, brings the Established in 1904 by a number of London’s work of the LSO with all parts of society and finest musicians, the LSO is a self-governing engages with 60,000 people every year. musical collective built on artistic ownership and partnership. The Orchestra is still owned by its The LSO reaches out much further with its own Members and has a signature sound emanating recording label – LSO Live, the first of its kind from the combined zeal and virtuosity of these which launched in 1999 – and now streams its 95 brilliant musicians who come from around music to millions around the world. the world; its music-making remains firmly at the centre of the Orchestra’s activities.

The LSO is Resident Orchestra at the Barbican in the City of London, where it gives 70 symphonic concerts every year, and performs a further 70 concerts worldwide on tour. The Orchestra works with a family of artists that includes the world’s greatest conductors – Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director Designate, © Adrian Malloch © Philippe Ramakers

Eckehard Stier, Slava Sidorenko, Rony Barrak, Conductor Piano Percussionist

Eckehard Stier is the Music Slava Sidorenko is originally Rony Barrak is regarded as one Director and Chief Conductor from Ukraine. He won of the leading percussionists of the Auckland Philharmonia numerous piano competitions and as one of the world’s best Orchestra. With his huge and received various Darbouka players. Throughout repertoire including many prestigious awards and his career he has worked different genres, he made a scholarships including the with the likes of Vanessa name for himself as an opera Yamaha Music Foundation Mae, Sarah Brightman and conductor. His interpretations of Europe Scholarship. He orchestras such as the Royal of the works of Richard made his debut in 2009 at Philharmonic Strauss, Richard Wagner the Wigmore Hall, as winner Orchestra and the and Dmitri Shostakovich are of the Jacques Samuel Piano Philharmonic Orchestra. Rony highly praised by the press Competition, (the CD “Live at Barrak started to play the and public. Numerous concert Wigmore Hall” was released Darbouka at the age of four, engagements have taken him the following year) receiving performing live for the first to Australia, , France, glowing reviews. time only two years later and Norway, Austria, Poland and Slava Sidorenko has appeared making his first television Switzerland. as recital and concerto soloist appearance at age of seven on In regular guest appearances in the Ukraine, Germany, Lebanese television. Eckehard Stier has conducted , France, Netherlands and Rony Barrak moved to London international orchestras such many parts of the UK. He has in 1990 where he studied as the London Symphony performed with orchestras orchestral percussion and Orchestra, the Tokyo such as Manchester Camerata, drum kit at the Guildhall Philharmonic Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony School of Music and Drama the Symphony Orchestra, and London and later taught Middle Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra to name Eastern Percussion at Trinity a few. College of Music. London Symphony Orchestra

Sun 4 Dec 2016 7pm, Barbican John Adams EL NIÑO COMPOSER & CONDUCTOR The Christmas story re-imagined in a sparkling opera-oratorio ‘One of those contemporary voices John Adams conductor we need to hear and keep hearing.’ Thu 8 Dec 2016 7.30pm, Barbican Tom Service on John Adams SCHEHERAZADE.2 The tale of Scheherazade brought to life through dazzling violin acrobatics John Adams conductor Leila Josefowicz violin

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Tokyo

FINAL SYMPHONY SYMPHONIC TOKYO Blu-ray Audio Concert Recording (2 CDs)

Music from FINAL FANTASY VI, VII and X Music from SQUARE London Symphony Orchestra Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra PROGRAMME

Jonne Valtonen Fanfare Overture

Yoko Shimomura KINGDOM HEARTS Fantasy I

(Dearly Beloved | The Other Promise | A Fight to the Death | Hand in Hand etc.)

Hiroki Kikuta SECRET OF MANA Fantasy II

(Fear of the Heavens | Into the Thick of it | The Oracle | Prophecy etc.)

INTERVAL (20 MIN.)

Yasunori Mitsuda CHRONO TRIGGER / CHRONO CROSS Fantasy III

(Chrono Trigger | Scars of Time | Battle with Magus | Prisoners of Fate etc.)

Nobuo Uematsu FINAL FANTASY Fantasy IV

(Prelude | Bombing Mission | Battle at the Big Bridge | Phantom Forest etc.)

Symphonic Fantasies © & ℗ 2009-2016 Merregnon Studios. Licensed by . Kingdom Hearts © Disney. Developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd. © 2002 Walt Disney Music Company. All Rights Reserved. Secret of Mana © 1993 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Chrono Trigger © 1995, 2008, 2011 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Illustration © 1995 BIRD STUDIO / SHUEISHA. Chrono Cross © 1999 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. © 1999 Septima Ley & Square Enix Co., Ltd. Character Design © 1999 Nobuteru Yuuki. Final Fantasy © 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1997 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.