For those who don't know about it, Distant Worlds is a concert tour featuring music from the Final Fantasy games series. It is a worldwide tour and normally featuring Arnie Roth as the conductor, working with different orchestras, choir groups and soloists of different countries. It is a popular concert tour among Final Fantasy fans, and one that an undying fan would die for. ;D
The performance was held for 3 days in Malaysia held in the Petronas Philharmonic Hall, KLCC. I went for the last performance, at 17th August, and the only afternoon performance (the other two was at night). Personally I've never been to the Petronas Philharmonic hall and I'm glad that I found the place to collect the tickets in time. (I didn't knew there was a direct route from KLCC shopping mall, I went in through the outside. :P)
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| MPO's promotional poster |
Tickets were being sold super fast hours after the first announcement was made on Facebook (I'm guessing they had joined the MPO's mailing list, maybe I should join too :P). It was so fast that weeks after the first announcement on Facebook, they announced that due to great response, they've opened up their corporate suites for sale (at a much higher price too though).
I got my hands on the second cheapest ticket (still a student, aiming for cheaper stuff, although by that time I didn't knew there was student price lol), which I didn't get why the seats was at the back compared to the cheaper ones, only to find out that it was an upper circle seat. This I was quite relieved and super happy at the same time because it has something like a bird's eye view of the orchestra where we can see the whole ensemble (including the Dithyrambic Singers), compared to the view from the audience directly in front of them.
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| Just claimed my ticket and outside the box office. >.< [WHY DIDN'T THEY PRINT DISTANT WORLD'S LOGO ON THE TICKET?! T________T] |
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| This sign was welcoming us at the stairs to the hall, although Distant Worlds is actually their pre-season concert. :P |
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| A view of the entrance. "EXPERIENCE MUSIC THAT MOVES YOU!" |
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Setlist:
FINAL FANTASY SERIES: Prelude
with Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Liberi Fatali
with Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY SERIES: Victory Theme
FINAL FANTASY IV: Battle with The Four Fiends
FINAL FANTASY VII: Main Theme
FINAL FANTASY XI: Fighters of the Crystal
FINAL FANTASY VI: Dancing Mad
with Dithyrambic Singers and organist Andrew Blackburn
Lightning Returns:
FINAL FANTASY XIII: Light Eternal
FINAL FANTASY IX: Not alone
FINAL FANTASY SERIES: Chocobo Medley 2012
with Dithyrambic Singers
[INTERVAL 20 mins]
FINAL FANTASY VII: Opening - Bombing Mission
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Fisherman's Horizon
with Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY XII: Dalmasca Estersand
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Don't Be Afraid
FINAL FANTTASY X: Hymm of the Fayth
with Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY X: Zanarkand
FINAL FANTASY SERIES: Battle & Victory Theme Medley
with Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY VI: Opera 'Maria & Draco'
with Ho Chi Mei, Chi Hoe Mak, James Leong & Dithyrambic Singers
FINAL FANTASY SERIES Main Theme
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| A view from the upper circle. [Cameras and recording devices aren't allowed but if you hashtag MPO on instagram you can find pictures like this. :P] |
The show kickstarted with the prelude and Liberi Fatali, the amazing theme of FF VIII. Then, conductor Arnie Roth greeted us and in his short speech he also included that it's the 20th anniversary of FF VI, and therefore they are going to feature more songs from FF VI, and that Nobuo Uesmatsu (who made appearances in some of Final Fantasy music performances) couldn't make it here as he has his band performance. :'( After introducing the lineups of songs, he then said "but before that", turned to the ensemble, and played the victory fanfare, which was an iconic symbol of winning a battle in the FF series.
I'm not very familiar with FF IV, FF IX, FF XI and FF VI, but the performance was quite enjoying. Final Fantasy VII Main Theme was very well played and it was a pleasure listening it live to a video on the screen. Final Fantasy VI Dancing Mad (boss battle theme) was also very enjoying, especially the timpani and drums section, really intense beatings. While playing Dancing Mad there was videos on the screen on FF VI too, however due to it being more pixelated (old games look), they included scenes of the battle between Tina and Kefka from Dissidia Final Fantasy. (Good job! xD)
I'm pretty glad they played something from FF XIII, it was Light Eternal (featured in Lightning Returns). Although I hoped it was the original Blinded by Light, because everything in Lightning Returns is more dark, gloomy and down toned, but still I manged to have those feels of Lightning's journey. On screen showed scenes from all FF XIII, FF XIII-2 and Lightning Returns.
Before interval was the Chocobo Medley 2012, which was very interesting as they showed funny moments of the game with Chocobos (although none from FF XII :( ), which also includes Squall riding one. The video was also synced with the singing where there was this "hey!" and a little high definition Chocobo appeared from Sazh's birdnest hair (scene from FF XIII). There was some sort of majectic ending and Sazh's Chocobos came flying out forming a "25" on the screen. It was a marking of the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy in 2012.
During interlude we get to have our toilet breaks, hanging around outside the hall, or check out the shopping section. MPO also sells refreshments around the area. But I'll elaborate about the merchandises sold at the later in this post.
The section after the interval begins with the opening of FF VII, Bombing Mission and FF VIII's Fisherman's Horizon. Both quite notable songs from their respective series. I was also very very happy that they played The Dalmasca Estersand from FF XII, because FF XII's popularity isn't as high as some other FF series and therefore it's songs too. But I am truly happy they picked The Dalmasca Estersand because it brings back memories of starting the game, and also because it is played in the battle area beside the city of Rabanastre, one of my favourites. In this piece the xylophone was contrasted very well at it's part, the playing was more complex than I thought.
Hymm of the Fayth from FF X allows the Dithyrambic Singers to shine, it was a very moving performance especially for those who journeyed through FF X (by playing or by watching playthroughs) as this was a notable piece of Yuna's pilgrimage. FF X's Zanarkand was next. Zanarkand is like a signature to FF X, and was played quite frequently throughout the game. The on screen video shows high quality cinematic scenes from the game too, lots of Yuna and Tidus, but I was a little sad that there were no scenes of the place Zanarkand itself (despite the name itself). This piece begins with the piano accompanied by very little other instruments, and I was like "finally, the piano contrasted!". (The piano isn't a solid member of the orchestra family, only to appear at some performances. And I was thrilled to see a grand piano on stage, been trying to listen to the piano parts from other songs but it blended in well that I failed to do so. I think I saw a celesta beside it but don't remember it being used.)
A Battle & Victory Theme Medley is next in the line, consisting of Battle at the Big Bridge (FF V), Fight with Seymour (FF X), Let the Battle Begin! (FF VII), and the Victory Fanfare as the ending. Very enjoyable performance, feelings through the timelapse for players of the series mentioned above. They've also showed scenes from FF VII Advent Children on the video when the FF VII part was played. xD
A special of the night (ahem, afternoon), is from FF VI, Opera 'Maria & Draco' in English, featuring soloists Ho Chi Mei, Chi Hoe Mak, and James Long, also accompanied by the Dithyrambic Singers. Arnie stated that this was an all new composition as they think that this opera deserved a fuller version of itself, not only featuring the male and female lead, but also a narrator of the story (featuring Mohd Mustaqim Abdullah as narrator of the day). The four tracks that play during the sequence are "Opening," "Aria di Mezzo Carattere," "The Wedding," and "Grand Finale" (online sources). And I must say, the female soloist Chi Hoe Mak has an amazing voice, not only was it loud and clear, but also solid and strong, and sweet at the same time. :D
The concert draw to a closure with the FINAL FANTASY SERIES Main Theme, as the on screen video shows scenes from FF I to FF XIV. This was one of the most moving performances for me, the beginning of the piece was smooth and clear, building up to it's grand climax, accompanied by a viewing of the whole series of FF, and an ending scene with the words of gratitude to us, the UNDYING FANS. <3 I began loving this song ever since I played FF XII, it is a very very grand composition of a music! After that Arnie Roth leaded the whole ensemble (including the soloists) to stand as the crowd gave a long lasting applaud. Giving his thanks as well as saying that he looks forward to coming back again to Malaysia. *hopes raised*
Just as we thought it was over, Arnie announced that they are going to play an encore, an unlisted piece that he thinks (and so do we) that it should be played. And there goes, I was listening to One Winged Angel (FF VII) live in front of me! (The crowd cheered on when he announced the song too, everyone is very very happy! xD) The Dithyrambic Singers did a good job on this one, very strong emphasis on their voices! I listened to this with a satisfied smile on my face in the dark hall (already crying inside out of joyfulness). TwT
And so it ended but not the selling of merchandises. I got to remind myself that if I ever get to attend Distant Worlds again I must either buy their merchandises early, or do not attend the last concert but the first or second ones instead. I was hesitant to buy their T shirt when I first found out because it was RM60. At the end of the concert my size sold out (although I still was very hesitant). As I check out their menu, I realized that their official tour art book (RM30) was sold out too. Other stuff on sale was Distant Worlds CD (I and II, RM40 each), and FF (some series)'s original soundtrack (RM100++). While MPO also sells keychains and some other stuff that I didn't take note of, but what I did take note of was that MPO's paper bag was very beautifully designed (I didn't see Distant World's one though).
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| Distant Worlds CD cover. Image from Citrus Glitter. |
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| How the T shirt looks like. Image from Citrus Glitter. |
I've also noticed that the Dithyrambic Singers was wearing the same attire for all members. The guys were wearing formal while the girls was weaing this dress, accompanied by a pearl necklace.
Attending MPO's concerts, we are supposed to oblige by their dress code. While some performances requires us to dress formally, this performance only requires us to dress "smart casual"-ly. Jeans are allowed, but no colarless T-shirts, sports attire, slippers and the sort. Last minute-ly I felt that my original pick of clothing looked too formal for the event, luckily I spotted a neat top hanging in my room, it was a recent birthday gift from my friends. And I am really thankful for them right now. xD
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| OOTD |
After the concert many people were selfie-ing under this giant poster, so this was the best shot I could get. :P
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| I love this poster TwT |
Part of a list of songs that I wanted to hear but wasn't played:
Blinded by Light (FF XIII)
The Promise/ The Sunleth Waterscape(FF XIII)
The City of Rabanastre (FF XII)
Eternity: Memory of Lightwaves (X)
The City of Rabanastre (FF XII)
Eternity: Memory of Lightwaves (X)
Eyes on Me (FF VIII)
Melodies of Life (FF IX)
Eternal Love (FF XIII)
Kiss Me Goodbye (FF XII)
Dearly Beloved (Hey! this is not FF!!)
Roxas' theme (This is not FF either!!)
Theme of Aya Brea (Ok, this is waaayyyy over...)
[after reviewing this list maybe I should go to Voices: Music from FINAL FANTASY concerts instead. :P]
Melodies of Life (FF IX)
Eternal Love (FF XIII)
Kiss Me Goodbye (FF XII)
Dearly Beloved (Hey! this is not FF!!)
Roxas' theme (This is not FF either!!)
Theme of Aya Brea (Ok, this is waaayyyy over...)
[after reviewing this list maybe I should go to Voices: Music from FINAL FANTASY concerts instead. :P]
Extra mini complaint: Why put FF XIII on the poster when only one song from FF XIII was played??? You got my hopes up at first you know?!?!?! T___T (And no, Final Fantasy's Prelude, Main Theme and Victory Fanfare was not featured in FF XIII so in total only one song from FF XIII was played.)
Overall it was an amazing feels, memories and music experience. I would totally come back for more of Distant Worlds or other performances by Square Enix in the future, hopefully with Nobuo Uematsu and/or Angela Aki appearance or Yoko Shimomura as special guest (LOL totally irrelavant). And next time when I get to go, I hope it's some FF X/ XII/ XIII special anniversary or something. XD
A great big thanks to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dithyrambic Singers, all soloists, Arnie Roth, Nobuo Uematsu, and last but not least, Square Enix for making everything possible. =D
Overall it was an amazing feels, memories and music experience. I would totally come back for more of Distant Worlds or other performances by Square Enix in the future, hopefully with Nobuo Uematsu and/or Angela Aki appearance or Yoko Shimomura as special guest (LOL totally irrelavant). And next time when I get to go, I hope it's some FF X/ XII/ XIII special anniversary or something. XD
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| Post event pic. Background: FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 file bought in Taiwan Ticket courtesy of MPO. ^___^ |
Signing out.
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