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

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.

Jam it back in, in the dark.