Interview with Nobuo Uematsu

On December 4 2007, the world premiere of Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy, I got an interview with Nobuo Uematsu. I have now published it here:

Spelmusik.net Interview with Nobuo Uematsu

Here are some excerpts:

I know you’re always getting this question, but how is it going with the third Black Mages album?

Uematsu: Yes, I get that question very often, but I would now like to promise to people that the album will be released in March 2008.

So, it is decided then?

Uematsu: Yes, in my heart! I have so many reasons to be finished in time.

How did you approach the challenge of composing an opera piece?

Uematsu: It was very interesting, because I had never listened to opera music when I was asked. I didn’t have any knowledge on composing such a piece, so I did it in my own style. When Dragon Quest composer Koichi Sugiyama found out about the opera part in Final Fantasy VI he called and asked me why he hadn’t been told about this great idea earlier, so that we could have worked together on it (laughs)!

How was it to compose the music to Final Fantasy VI?

Uematsu: It was probably one of the best times of my carrier and I was very excited. As Final Fantasy VI was released as the third game in the series on the Super NES, the team had a lot of experience. The composition phase was wonderful and I could work very smoothly. And as of today, I often get requests for music from Final Fantasy VI to be performed on concerts.

Yes, an orchestration of “Ending Theme“ from Final Fantasy VI would be wonderful to hear live.

Uematsu: I think your idea is interesting! Since the ending theme is quite long, we could orchestrate it and then collect the ending theme from each game in the series and make a concert or CD out of them. I have to ask Arnie Roth about this!


I have some more interviews in English here: Spelmusik.net - Coverage in English

How ya doing, buddy?

Was quite interesting to read, thanks! Let me know when the FFVII orchestral album you'll finance will be out.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I really like the idea of an Ending Theme Album (12-13 Song CD?) being made with
all the tunes orchestrated. Nice suggestion!

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

Very good news on The Black Mages indeed!

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Heh, awesome. I wish I could throw Nobuo some ideas of what I'd like to see orchestrated. Always loved the FFVI ending theme, it'd be awesome to see the Black Mages do that WITH an orchestra, One Winged Angel style. Oh, to dream.

I was speaking idiomatically.