[Album] String Quartet "Dragon Quest" (SVWC-7302~3)

String Quartet "Dragon Quest"
Catalogue Number SVWC-7302~3
Publisher Aniplex
Composition Koichi Sugiyama
First Printing December 07, 2005
Price 3990 Yen


Disc 1 - 38:02
101 Overture March (I) 4:01
102 Only Lonely Boy…(II) 1:27
103 Chateau…(II) 3:17
104 EndLess World…(II) 5:56
105 Rondo…(III) 3:11
106 Around the World…(III) 7:21
107 Requiem~Small Shrine…(III) 3:07
108 Fighting Spirit…(III) 6:39
109 Into the Legend…(III) 3:03

Disc 2 - 45:11
201 Menuet…(IV) 2:59
202 Comrades…(IV) 4:53
203 Arms Trader…(IV) 6:07
204 Gypsy…(IV) 3:41
205 Balloon's Flight…(IV) 4:01
206 Make Me Feel Sad…(V) 2:22
207 In the Town~Happy Humming~Inviting Village~In the Town…(VI) 5:15
208 Heavenly Village…(VII) 4:02
209 Memories of a Lost World~Moving through the Present…(VII) 4:46
210 Fighting Spirit…(VII) 2:44

Dragon Quest music in chamber music arrangement? Never cross in my mind once Sugiyama would actually release album of Dragon Quest in String Quartet. This is what I call a real treat for classical lovers. Sugiyama really spoils our ears. I'm not big fan of symphony or big orchestra, personally I enjoy this album much more than any other Dragon Quest Album. Here in this album we find very nice arrangement of various Dragon Quest music. This CD actually was published in 2005. I found it strange since Dragon Quest VIII had been released, but none of the tracks from the game included.

The 101 Overture in this string quartet is honestly the best arrangement L ever listen, despite the fact it's the overused and probably Dragon Quest fans always skip it when listening to any of its soundtrack. The overture here sounds very different. After 1:17, you could listen a very unique fugue in form Overture. Double voice, It's really unique and I was amazed when listening this track for I never put Dragon Quest Overture in my playlist. I like the overture of this album for sure.

The 105 Rondo, Castle theme of Dragon Quest III, it's also one of my favorite track in the original game and in this album. This track is very baroque like, you will get impression of entering some beautiful european castle and listening to violin concert like the old times when Mozart in Vienna. 106 Around the World, a medley of various theme of Dragon Quest III music. I like this track, though I really hope each part put in individual track instead of putting them into one. The arrangement of Jipangu is very good. I couldnt really tell what is the string and beat drum appears 1:29. They sound like Shamisen to me but I might be wrong since cello might be able to imitate the sound as well.

The 2nd disc is really treat for my ears. I overjoyed when listening the 201 Minuet. I really love the original music of Dragon Quest IV minuet in whatever version they appear. In 202 Comrades you could listen the medley of Dragon Quest IV chacter themes except Torneko's and Gypsy's Dance. The 203 Arm Traders is variation of Torneko, they appear as medley, in various form, from classical, waltz (2:03) to jazz (3:10).

As overview, this cd is a perfect treat for classical lovers, especially the ones who are looking for any non-symphonic album of Dragon Quest music in form of classical arrangement. This album is one the finest performance of Dragon Quest music. This CD simply combines Sugiyama's powerful composition in simplistic, yet powerful form, a string quartet. It's really match the atmosphre of his classical style. I wish all of Dragon Quest album made this way actually.

My complain in this cd is, Sugiyama picked battle music which in my personal opinion, not his field of expertise. His battle music is not as powerful as his field songs. I especially dont like his compositions which contain too much dissonants like 107 Requiem. I wish Sugiyama put more town music and field songs instead of sad music and his battle theme. Also, why split the CD into two disc when there is still space to fill out (38:02 and 45:11)? They should put other songs instead.

Despite these all I mentioned, this cd is wonderful and highly recommended. Credit goes to bishop who shared me this wonderful album.

4/5

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Is this a series of albums or a single album?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

Is this a series of albums or a single album?

It's a single album.

String Quartet "Dragon Quest" (SVWC-7302~3).

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

String Quartet "Dragon Quest" is a nifty work. Given all the Dragon Quest releases and the quality of Monopoly String Quartet Compositions, I'm amazed the first string quartet album was released only in 2005. Anyway, with a strong selection of well-known DQ themes, flawless performances from one of the best string quartets in Japan, and, most importantly, really inspired arrangements, it's great all round. They're not straightforward in the slightest, with most tracks demonstrating the versatility of the ensemble and Sugiyama's own musicianship, and it's not just another plain rendition of old themes, rather something magical that adds to nearly all the original tracks selected in a profound way. I'm especially addicted to "Gypsy".


I was a little more disappointed with Brass Quintet "Dragon Quest", which didn't offer much that the Dragon Quest in Brass series provided. I'd love to see Sugiyama experiment some more with wind ensembles (or clarinet quintets <3) next time.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Thanks for the info, seanne. I'm moving this over to Album Comments.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I update the my first post. Adding review and additional informations.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?