[News] PLAY! to Perform Concerts in Prague For CD and DVD Releases

Mr. X · 09:19 AM

Some delightful news about PLAY! today: not only are they back with two new concerts, but they're also releasing a DVD and CD of a concert. Quoted from here:

Quote:

If you were worried that PLAY! A Video Game Symphony were a tour of the past, they have just announced two new concerts and a CD / DVD release. On April 23, 2008, the tour will perform twice at the eminent Rudolfinum concert hall in Prague, Czech Republic. The world-famous Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and Kuehn's mixed choir will perform the two hour concerts, conducted by tour veteran Arnie Roth. The 5 PM concert will be a rehearsal performance and the 8 PM concert will be a recording concert for an upcoming CD and DVD. Tickets for both concerts can be bought via the official site.

The concerts will premiere the arrangement "Gusty Garden Galaxy" from Super Mario Galaxy composed by Mahito Yokota and Koji Kondo. It has also been announced that Lebanese percussionist Rony Barrak will be a guest performer for this item. In addition, regular items from the tour such as Final Fantasy, Zelda, Chrono, Metal Gear Solid, Sonic, Kingdom Hearts, Halo, Warcraft, and Silent Hill will be performed in conjunction with graphics on large screens above the orchestra.

Fans of video game music will be delighted to learn that the second Prague concert will be recorded for a CD and DVD release due for the near future. Producer Jason Michael Paul explains that they have been waiting for the right time to make this recording a reality: "The timing could not be better!... While it may be best known as home to the world’s greatest classical music venue as performed by the renowned Czech Philharmonic, this stunning orchestra hall has built a reputation as a destination for some of the best classical music recordings of our time." Unlike the abandoned Video Games Live: Greatest Hits - Vol. 1, this release is legitimate and approved by all game companies featured.

Pre-sale of the recording will be available from the soon and will, of course, be reviewed by Square Enix Music Online. If you're interesting in learning more about the tour, don't forget to visit the official site and its tickets page. Also check out our interview and review concerning the tour's premiere.

I think it's wonderful news. I'd love to hear polished performances of the items from the tour and I think Super Mario Galaxy is a great choice. I'll be getting the CD for certain after my great experiences at Stockholm (sorry, but no fan recordings compare).

Arcubalis · Local time: May 24, 2008, 01:08 PM

Exclusive sneak-peek of the performance, including photos, a partial set list, and commentary by PLAY! producer Jason Michael Paul:

PLAY! A Videogame Symphony Prague Recording Session

Wish I could have been there to hear Super Mario Galaxy.

Josh_1 · May 25, 2008, 03:20 AM

I can't wait for this cd and dvd! Has a release date been set in stone?

Arcubalis · Local time: May 25, 2008, 04:33 PM

No set date. Just "Summer 2008."

nazpyro · Jun 12, 2008, 11:29 AM

Are you talking about this one that they've had in their pre-sale shop for a few weeks now? Yeah, release date: July 1, 2008. Get pumped.

Kairi Li · Jun 12, 2008, 02:59 PM

You'd think they at least tell me what tracks are in the CD before I go and pre order it. I don't even know which orchestra is performing in it.

Arcubalis · Local time: Jun 13, 2008, 01:07 AM

Czech Philharmonic. If you dig around, you can find out what was played at the show. I don't recally off the top of my head.

Kairi Li · Jun 13, 2008, 02:24 PM

Oh sweet, Czech Philharmonic recorded the Princess Mononoke Symphony album, and I loved their performance in that one, one of the best I've heard. Even if I didn't like some of the arrangements, like MGS, the performance should be lovely.

Still can't find out what specifically was played in that concert though, unless someone has posted it in the Play! thread?

Arcubalis · Local time: Jun 13, 2008, 11:28 PM

Halo, Battlefield, Oblivion, Super Mario Galaxy, Sonic the Hedgehog, Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill. Others.

It's uncertain as to whether all these tracks will appear on the album though. I'd imagine everything would make it into the DVD however.

Josh_1 · Jun 15, 2008, 12:17 AM

I'm really excited for this. I just hope that July 1st is the final date.

Moguta · Jun 30, 2008, 06:55 PM

It appears that the DVD will be available August 23rd:
Music 4 Games -- The Future of Rock n' Roll & Interactive Entertainment. Est. 1999.

But nothing is mentioned of the CD.

nazpyro · Jul 23, 2008, 04:22 PM

So apparently at the PLAY! concert I was at, the Arnie announced the CD would go on sale in the fall. Pushed back and vague. =/