Dragon Quest: You Tell Me!
 

Inspired by Crunchy's thread. I just recently got into Dragon Quest with the recently released DQVIII (I'm sure many others started with that one as well), but I really enjoyed the music in the game. Like FF, there's quite a bit of soundtracks out there, but I'd like to hear some more music.

So, tell me which soundtracks you believe represent the best of DQ's musical history. And I mostly prefer arranged editions, like the Symphonic Suite series.

The Symphonic Suites are pretty much awesome. I believe DQIV SS is regarded as the best of the series. My favourite one is DQVIII SS, but the quality of the recording isn't too good.

I love dragon Quest music IV for the most. You gotta listen to the piano arrangement by Trickwaters: www.betterthanbach.com
believe me, the piano suite actually move my favorite Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin at the 2nd place. Just so brilliant.

Here's my favorite track in the entire DQ:
Dragon Quest I = Chateau Ladutorm, People, Unknown World
Dragon Quest II = Town (SFC) -> the most addictive
Dragon Quest III = Jipangu, you should listen the NHK version too
Dragon Quest IV = Minuet, Comrades, Casino Rag Homeland, Sea's Breeze, Battle for the Glory
Dragon Quest V = Castle Trumpeter, Melody in Ancient town, Toward the Horizon, Bridal Waltz
Dragon Quest VI = In the Town, Happy Humming, Inviting Village, Through the Field, Flying Bed
Dragon Quest VII = Strolling in the Town, Moving through the Present
Dragon Quest VIII = Strange World

Too bad, I feel Sugiyama's style has changed in the DQ VII & VIII, it's too cinematic, and I dont really enjoy the songs from these two games, compared with the earliers.

Dont forget he composed for Dragon Quest Monster too, you gotta try them. ;)

Ironically, I was disapointed with Quest 8's suite. I heavily reccomend Dragon Quest VII's symphonic suite over Quest 8's suite any day of the week. One of the big benefits for the first timers of Dragon Quest, is that he reuses a lot of musical themes and styles from previous games in Quest 8, so for the uninitiated, it's a good starter soundtrack. (This soundtrack is akin to Final Fantasy 9 with it's reuse of classic themes)

But a good start point is either Dragon Quest III or IV's suites. I'd avoid the recordings by the Metropolitan Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and seek out the recordings by the London Philharmonic or even the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Be warned about Quest VI. If you don't have a mild to moderate appreciation of musical minimalism or atonality, you might find quite a bit of the music to be a bit wierd. I also consider a few of the tracks in that game to be the most profound in the series.

First and foremost, I would recommend obtaining a copy of the Dragon Quest V Symphonic Suite. Without a doubt this showcases the base of what Sugiyama has to offer. Just about every track, right down to the dungeon/tower themes are tremendously engaging and emotionally powerful. A few of the more standout tracks include:

"Melody in an Ancient Town~Toward the Horizon~Casino~Lively Town~Melody in an Ancient Town" which is a medley of the various town themes and is superbly arranged together. The "Lively Town" theme is quite possibly the best town/village theme he has composed for the series thus far. Another highlight is

Monsters in the Dungeon~Tower of Death~Dark World~Monsters in the Dungeon, the cave theme is quite a departure from the rest in that it is actually enjoyable to listen to for extended periods. The tower theme is also not what you would expect. Instead of an overly ominous or tense theme Sugiyama presents a serene, almost reflective melody with the tension distinctly in the background.

"Violent Enemies~Almighty Boss Devil is Challenged" represent the battle themes. "Violent Enemies" is very dramatic for a regular battle theme, and almost could pass as a boss theme toward the end. The flute interlude here is surprisingly effective, and makes the boss theme that much more jarring. "Almighty Boss Devil is Challenged" is a very dramatic piece that rivals the final boss theme in most other Dragon Quest albums. The orchestration in particular gives the impression of being battered over and over again by an evil unrelenting enemy.

This ties right in with the next track, "Noble Requiem~Saint" which contains a tragic requiem theme, that is perhaps made more effective if one has heard how it is used in the context of the game. Just the introduction of "Saint" the shrine theme after so much grief is quite a beautiful moment and really enhances the serenity and loneliness of the track.

"Satan" is the aptly titled final boss theme, and is based on the same concept as "King Dragon" from DQI, but has been fleshed out into something much grander. What sets this one apart is the overall minimalist approach with a solo horn section and percussion carrying much of the piece. Although what really ends up making it work is how it builds up into the tremendous and slightly terrifying orchestral frenzy. Truthfully, I think this is one of the most effective final boss themes when it comes to articulating a decisive battle between good and evil, without being too dramatic.

Finally, "Heaven" is a theme for the "Sky Cloud" castle which was featured in games 4-6 of the series. This track is nothing short of sublime, which the orchestra coming together so perfectly it makes one want to cry.

Next on the list, I would recommend Dragon Quest IV, which is of the same quality.

Dragon Warrior VII
Dragon Warrior VIII

Those are the only two I've heard so far. DW8 had the best overall music that means I'll be buying its OST in the near future. The overworld theme and Dhoulmagus Temple themes were the best.

I would highly recommend listening to DQ II, III, IV, and VII Symphonic Suites. Two other great albums are the Dragon Quest "String Quartet" and the Dragon Quest "Brass Quintet". They are just arrangements of most of the DQ music in ensemble form. The String Quartet is more superior than the Brass, due to the amount of creativity and experimentation in some of the arrangements. However, both are worth a listen.