25 Years of Magic
by Artemicion on 12/9/12Akoo Theatre at Rosemont - RosemontRating: 5 out of 5For many of us, Final Fantasy is a name that has lived within our hearts, and memories for many years. Countless hours we spent getting to know and understand the plethora of memorable characters and casts, taking in and admiring the beauty of the open worlds presented before us, and basking in the glory and satisfaction of defeating unforgetable antagonists and saving the world, all with a blissfully sublime score to boot.
Distant Worlds, for 5 years now have satiated the skulking nostalgia within all of us, bringing us into the past when those lofty, grandoise, and triumphant notes of Uematsu's score danced with our senses, all accompanying key moments within the fantasic stories we all know and love. For that, I cannot fathom a better way to celebrate such a joyous anniversary for the franchise we've held dear for so long.
By the honor of Arnie Roth, and the Chicago Pops Orchestra, we partook in a journey through the stars and into the past, reliving and relishing the memories that accompanied each game, displayed vividly on screen and elequently delivered by the talented members of the orchestra. Arrangments were made with uniqueness and memorability in mind, which sadly, regardless of whichever best tracks were performed would never fully satiate our hearts, as there are countless unsung gems in the vast repertoire of Uematsu's musical exploits.
However, I was grateful and plesantly surprised to be graced with some special tracks that generally lack the attention they deserve, such as Battle of the Four Fiends (FFIV), Ahead on Our Way (FFV), The Phantom Forest (FFVI) and You Are Not Alone (FFIX).
Other memorable moments include the brief interlude of Uematsu's singing performance of the traditional Happy Birthday, appropriately and lovingly delivered along side by the audience as well to the franchise. Susan Calloway's jubilant voice fittingly elevated a handful of vocal ballads including Eyes on Me (FFVIII) and Answers (FFXIV), but sadly ommited some personal favorites such as Melodies of Life (FFIX), Suteki Da Ne (FFX) and Distant Worlds (FFXI).
Overall, the concert was magnificant and truly a special and unique experience to befit an anniversary that marks a significant notch in the history and timeline of Final Fantasy's existence. Perhaps it was my insatiable thirst for more or my unrealistic expectations for an intangible and inexplicable experience catered to my desires, but I felt something was missing. A certain unexplainable "umph" that made the whole thing particularly special or memorable on a personal level; despite having the honor of meeting Mr. Uematsu and Roth in person.
For now, I'll blame it on secondary experiences falling short of the joy and fulfillment of a first time experience, as I rather not let personal semantics tarnish or blemish what was undoubtably pure bliss to any Final Fantasy fan.