I was going to blog about this yesterday, as promised. I fell asleep though, so you get it today instead.
PASSION is an instrumental performance done by an Aussie group Eminence. The founder is actually a Japanese gentleman by the name of Hiroaki Yura, who was also the lead violinist of the night's show. What is different from them to other classical orchastra is that they play game, anime music instead of the usual classical fare. Yasunori Mitsuda, music composer of numerous games, arrived as guest too, and his appearance alone is already a worthwhile affair for many.
It was the first time they were here in Singapore for a live performance, and words alone just can't express how good the concert was...
the early crowd rushing in first (no worry, it's not free-seating ><)I actually heard about the group coming to SG a month & half ago from my Japanese Club. They were saying how it will be so hot, tickets will be selling like pancakes. So I wasted no time at all booking mine.
A purchase of a ticket of near $40 got me a seat just
mere 4 rows away from the stage. Near enough to see if any of the performer were digging their nose ><. In fact, I was so early in booking that nearly any seat was available for my picking, even the godly front row that kiasu people will kill for. However, I am a firm believer that for any show, don't choose the very front row - "too front lah, cannot see properly".
inside the concert hall;
did I see 'white spirits'? nah, just stains on my lens
Zip back to the actual day. PASSION began at 8pm in Victoria Concert Hall. I had only been there once, and it was way long ago for me to recall anything to do with it. Anyway, I was to go alone, but instead my mother, aunt and two cousins tagged along cos they gotten free tickets. No, that has nothing to do with the crowd at pic above. My mother was working for one of the sponsoring company, so yea.
Needless to say, free tickets are pre-assigned seating so I still get to sit alone. Worst in this case was that the free tiks were the very last row.... way-back to the end, and at second floor to boot.
You definitely got to strain your eyes to see anything on the stage from that spot, but not all was lost for my family; they still get to hear the music live - for free.
First HalfDigimon Arrangement - Digimon
Is Kirite burning up? - Kirite
Victory Fanfare - Final Fantasy XII
Sakura - Xenosaga II
Dream of the shore Bordering Another World - Chrono Chross
Pain - Xenosaga
Princess Mononoke - Princess Mononoke
Laputa, Castle in the Sky - Laputa, Castle in the Sky
Nocturne - Kirite
Radical Dreamers ~Without taking the jewel~ - Chrono Chross
Tango Jalousie - classical piece
Super Mario Brothers - Super Mario Brothers
Whole New World - Aladdin
Second HalfSailing to the World - Sailing to the World
The Azure - Kirite
Mai - .hack//Liminality
Free Bird - Haibane Renmei
Hungarian Dance - classical piece
Sunlight Earth - Shadow of the Colussus
When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio
Dance Macabre - classical piece
Two Of Us - Shoot the Violist
Chrono Cross - Time's Scar - Chrono Cross
A Song of Storm and Fire - Tsubasa Chronicle
Bonus(encore-unlock)? theme - Secret of Mana
The abovementioned list is the rundown of the pieces played. They were all brilliantly performed by the group, though not all were so memorable imo.
members of Eminence: (from leftmost - Natalia: piano, Joshua: percussion, Ayako: violin, Zane: guitar, Yura: violin)While I was sitting among other fans for the concert to begin, I 'eavesdropped' over other people's conversation. It seemed that "Chrono Cross -Time's Scar" & "A Song of Storm and Fire" were the very much anticipated pieces While I haven't had much recollection of the former, I had to agree that the Tsubasa Chronicle track was gonna be a blast. Coincidently, the two pieces were the last to go.....'saving the best for the last' eh?
It took around 10mins after 8 for the thing to start. As soon as the Eminence group breezed in to the stage, they played the opening piece; a theme from Digimon game. It was my first time listening to it, but the way it was played; embarrassing to admit, I nearly sob in tears of joy. It was quite heart-warming, and I was surprised by my own reaction. They were really
that good.
Ishikawa Ayako's autographing!Now I have to paused this moment of wonderfulness for a while and insert this disclaimer;
'
Please turn off your mobile phone during the whole event'. That is something we have heard for all public screening/play and are fully aware of. Fortunately, Singaporeans do have the courtesy to follow such simple etiquette. But I believe they should also have a follow-up to that statement; '
...and also tape your children's mouth if necessary'. ><
(No thanks to toot Blogspot for screwing up my post, I have to rewrite about the brat ...wadever, summarizing it)
There was an annoying kid who was squeeing and making tons of strange noise in one of the nearby seats. To make matter worst, he was seated rather near the stage, so I had fear one of his moaning would reach the group and disrupt their performance. Fortunately, we are talking about professionals here, so it my worries came unfounded. But it didn't help that the brat was groaning for like, through 3 pieces, that heads were turning whever he started whining (must be bored).
Finally, his understanding father dragged him out of the hall (phew), but it was a pity he had to missed the next piece; the infamous Super Mario Bros theme!! Yep, that tune about the chubby red plumber who goes down huge pipes...^^
And as a surprise, the group put on santa claus hats just for that theme. Haha
guys, turn around for a smile please?I did mention Yasunori Mitsuda was guest right? He did make his appearance, but only for selected titles. Mainly those of Kirite's. "Is Kirite burning up" was a personal favourite of mine, and I even bought the soundtrack after that, just to prove I really liked it LoL.
Apart from games' songs, there were anime themes. Disney classics like Aladdin were inserted within, and they were a welcome addition (anime = cartoon anyway imo). You know how "A Whole New World" is sung by Aladdin & Jasmine - well, instead of them, we got a beautiful violin rendition from Yura (Aladdin) and Ayako (Jasmine). Darn sweet~
For the classical pieces, well they were al-right. No big fuss from me over them. Though it is amusing to note that when it come to the classical ones, the violist would surely break a string or two without fail.
Finale was drawing closer, and very soon it dawned to us such good things were coming to an end. But not without the last two songs on the list... Yes, that two awaited tracks. Time's Scar and Song of Storm & Fire. GG. I was practically tapping my foot and humming away when they played those two amazing composition on stage. Wonderful.
2hrs long of live instrumental and it eventually ended. Screams from the audience for encore erupted and of course the group had to give in, playing something not on the list. Yura annouced it in his slang manner, so I could only make out what appears to be said as 'theme for Secret of Mana'. I played the game, but I just couldn't remember anything about it. It is bonus goodies anyway, so who cares wht.
PASSION page with Mitsuda's signature! + Kirite soundtrackTo commerate this event, I even got signatures of all the performers. Actually it is only kudos to my fiery aunt who fought through the queue, that I had my paper signed. ^^
I also purchased the Kirite album, costing $45. It was actually bought out of a whim, so I didn't had time to get it autographed by Mitsuda himself. Pity. The good thing is it turned into a christmas present from my aunt as she decided to pay it for me. Nice~
So that was the entry on my first Game/Anime musical outing! If there is another event such as this, care to join me? ><
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