I think the reason they didn't play Dancing Mad is because of Malaysia being grouped together as an Asian country rather than anything Western. Artie Roth commented that they'll play Dancing Mad in the Adelaide, Australia show. They also play Dancing Mad in Boston and UK. Unless Dewan Philharmonik KLCC could not provide the organ needed for sections of the song being the reason it's not being played here, I think they assume that selections like Suteki Da Ne being more appropriate to be played here since it more "Asian" compared to the more operatically inclined Dancing Mad.

Just my assumption.

Quite true, because there are not many people talking about Dancing Mad in asian countries, i think they did a survey before creating the playlist....

This sounds amazing, I love the FF series (:

It's been a while since i posted anything on LYN, and i thought a review of this is in order:

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Added on November 28, 2012, 6:12 amDistant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy, Reviewed

Some months ago, i was (by chance) on the Distant Worlds website fulfilling my curiosity to see if these great folks would do a stop at Malaysia to perform. As luck would have had it, Final Fantasy is 25 years in the making already, therefore Distant Worlds decided to cover more countries, and our Malaysia was on the list. Boy, was i happy. I've never attended a FF concert/symphony before, so i made sure i had the best seats money could offer. (I sat at the N-row, seat 16, just beside fellow forummer Stringfellow, smack dab in the middle of the hall)

A little bit of background:
I've been playing FF close to 10 years now (since i was 13), starting with FF8 (sorry, i bought my PSone a little late), all the way up to FF13.
Being interested lately in audiophile equipment and high-quality music (Apple Lossless, AIFF, FLAC, WAV), i have had the chance to listen to some of the best music FF can offer (my collection goes all the way back to SaGa).

Ok, back to my review. Like i said, i got the best seats money can buy, because if you think about it, some folks paid RM 200 more than my seat (the ones on the upper left and right "pockets") and i'm confident the acoustics are not as good as being in the centre of the auditorium.
The auditorium itself is gorgeous. Security in there is dead tight, anyone caught trying to snap a picture gets a green laser dot, then a warning. As i noticed, security was provided by Suria KLCC, as i don't think DPP has enough staff to do all the work. Dress code was super tight. I remembered on the eve of the symphony, Stringfellow received an email of what not to wear, even character costumes are not allowed (but you can fashion yourself like the Turks though). I arrived at 8:15PM, got to my seats, then around 8:30PM, the show began.

Warm rounds of applause followed with the appearance of Arnie Roth, the conductor behind the Distant Worlds series. A little chat, then the symphony began. It should also be noted that at all Distant Worlds concerts, there's at least one screen above to remind you of how the piece associates with the game.

1. Prelude/Crystal Theme - 3 mins (nearly all FF)
This is the single most recognizable piece in all of FF. Anyone who's ever played the game knows this music, and hearing and orchestralized piece with vocals is certainly moving. Nearly moved me to tears as well. Great way to kick off the symphony.
(10/10)

2. Liberi Fatali - 3 mins (FF8)
I'm sure many FF fans have played FF8 at some point in their life before. I'm also very sure that this is the first piece to come to their minds about FF8. Heck, this track is one of my top ten! I've heard many different versions before, and somehow no other orchestra could replicate what the original had created. It just does not evoke the same feel, not have accurate lyrics (yes, i remembered the lyrics). And that frustrates me to some extent. Don't get me wrong, MPO did a good job, but not good enough. Also, i'd prefer if the piece played in tune to the original full-length FMV. I suppose there were some licensing issues, because some of the FMV was replaced by an irrelevant FMV of the Vinzer Deling abduction (the train scene).
(6.5/10)

3. Victory Theme (nearly all FF)
Arnie Roth had a little chat on how the next piece was very important in any FF orchestra. I heartfully agree. Anyone who's about my age and a range of 5 years apart will have heard the Victory Theme at some point of their life.
(10/10)

4. Final Fantasy 2010 Medley - 8 mins (FF1-3)
This piece starts off with a little of the Prelude mentioned above, and then to lovely segments of the first three FFs. Invokes a sense of adventure, calmness and romance. There are some parts of this piece that you'd recognize in later FFs, such as FF8's ending theme.
(8.5/10)

5. To Zanarkand - 4 mins (FF10)
This somewhat haunting but calm piece really brings me back to Tidus' opening dialogue in FF10, but for all intents and purposes, it's much better heard with just the piano, like the original. The FMV is also a little out of place, should also have been the original with the whole party sitting around a bonfire, preparing for the final leg of their pilgrimage.
(7/10)

6. Memoria de la Stôno - Distant Worlds - 8 mins (FF11)
Stephanie van Driesen, a local talent did the soprano/solo on this piece. As if the piece wasn't fantastic enough, Stephanie really, really sounded like Susan Calloway, the original soloist for Distant Worlds symphony. Wonderful piece, evokes some sorrow. However, the Dithyrambic Singers (background vocals) had slightly higher volume than Stephanie, drowning her voice out a little.
(8.5/10)

7. The Man with the Machine Gun - 3 mins (FF8)
This particular piece plays whenever the party engages in battle in the "dream state", when you take control of Laguna and Co. This piece is very difficult to keep up with - the timing is very crucial, and the tempo must be right. In fact, the symphonized piece just does not cut it compared to the original synth version in the game. It doesn't give you the feeling of being transported to another world, like the game.
(7/10)

8. Theme of Love - 5 mins (FF4)
This piece is one of the more popular ones in the FF series. The title says it all. The love between Cecil and Rosa. The orchestral piece is a great improvement from the original found in the game, and i find the one performed by MPO to be a solid one as well.
(9.5/10)

9. You're Not Alone! - 4 mins (FF9)
This one came as a surprise for me. Not that i didn't know what they played - but this piece is rarely played in Distant Worlds. It's not even on any of their albums. Still, it's a nice surprise. Still evokes that sorrowful feeling felt by Zidane at Terra.
(9/10)

10. Chocobo Medley 2010 - 4 mins
Arnie Roth told us that he'll present to us two pieces mashed in one - the Chocobo theme in FF14, and the Swing de Chocobo. I enjoyed listening to the first, but was even more thrilled when i listened to the Swing. In my opinion, Swing de Chocobo is the best iteration of the Chocobo theme ever.
(9.5/10)

When that was over, we headed out for a twenty minute intermission. I snapped at this opportunity to get in line to buy merchandise, as there was such a long line before the symphony started. Got a t-shirt in five mins, and i was determined to collect one t-shirt for every Distant Worlds i attend in the future.
As we headed back in, there was a funny moment where Az Samad forgot to turn off his guitar amp after sound check. Arnie was somewhat annoyed for a moment, turned it off and the got the audience applauding.

11. Opening: Bombing Mission - 4 mins (FF7)
I need not explain any more than the title - the first FMV and battle scene in the game. The piece is such a big improvement over the original, but it still lacks at an area, the one after the game logo shows, the camera pans in, and the heavy synth breaks in. Can't duplicate that with the orchestra.
Very energetic, very exciting.
(8/10)

12. Dear Friends - 5 mins (FF5)
This one was lovely. Az Samad at the guitars. That guy is somewhat of a funny bone. But he played well. And he enjoyed his music, and i enjoyed listening to it. Two thumbs up.
(10/10)

13. Vamo' alla Flamenco - 4 mins (FF9)
Remember when you had to ride a Chocobo to get to the Forests, and played a mini-game to dig up the treasures? It was Chocobo Hot and Cold, and Vamo' alla Flamenco was the tune that played for the 60 seconds.
The piece is fun, yet i still find myself liking the original, as it's more engaging and charming. Az Samad on the guitar.
(8/10)

14. Blinded by Light - 3 mins (FF13)
This is the piece that plays for all normal encounters/battles. I admire Masashi Hamauzu's work as much as Nobuo Uematsu, and this piece serves to remind us of just how he pulled it off. The music warps you into the fight, it's easy to get lost in it. I remember spending the first week playing FF13 humming nothing else but this. The MPO version needs a little improvement though.
(8.5/10)

15. Don't Be Afraid - 4 mins (FF8)
FF8 normal encounter/battle piece. Like "The Man with the Machine Gun", this requires precise timing to get the tempo right. This time, MPO had it just a little faster than normal. The whole piece was okay, but those who want to hear the real deal should consult the "FF8 Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" album. Heck, as a matter of fact, listen to the entire album, and you'll understand why i made such a statement.
(7.5/10)

16. Clash on the Big Bridge - 3 mins (FF5)
In FF5, you hear this when when you step on the Big Bridge, have an encounter on it, or fight Gligamesh. This version is okay, but i prefer the one made in FF12. Got more beat to it than the Distant Worlds version.
(8/10)

17. Aerith's Theme - 5 mins (FF7)
Ah, the everlasting theme of FF7. The most important theme of the game, this piece is in one of my top ten as well. More importantly, this piece is hard to fail on. It can work with almost any orchestra, and it still evokes the sense of awe (and later in the game, a sense of sadness losing the character you worked so hard for).
(9.5/10)

18. Opera: Maria and Draco - 12 mins (FF6)
The most longest piece of the night, it was accompanied by three talented folks - Ho Chi Mei as "Maria", James Long Cai Hunt as "Draco", and Mak Chi Hoe as "Ralse". Superb vocals accompanied by a great symphony was what this piece needed. Excellent treatment, although those who had never played FF6 before might complain about the length.
(8.5/10)

19. Terra's/Tina's Theme - 4 mins (FF6)
Enough said. This piece made for the playable character Terra Branford suits the character well. A very inspiring track, evokes awe and adventure as it also serves as FF6's main theme.
(9.5/10)

Encore
Now, this is something that should always be asked for. The night i went, some folks clapped when Arnie went off-stage, and sat down soon after. Some even had funny looks on their faces like as if saying "Why are all these idiots standing and clapping when the guy already left?". It's called an encore, and apparently some folks don't know what it is. Not joking here. Anyways, we asked for an encore, and Arnie came back on stage and cheered us up with two songs which i shall literate below.

20. Suteki da ne (FF10)
This piece needs not much to be said. Arnie mentions this piece is rarely played. Stephanie came back up to sing this one, but my fears came true as she sang the English version. Stephanie sounded marvelous, but the English kinda let me down a little. Every time i listen to this, i make good sure it's the Japanese lyrics. It really was the way it was meant to be sung after all.
(8/10)

21. One-Winged Angel (FF7)
As soon as Arnie said "We need some power in here!", i knew what i was in for. The opening violin riff had everyone instantly clapping and cheering. I enjoyed it, but i did not enjoy the slightly out of tune lyrics (yes, i know the lyrics for this one too), and the slightly less energetic Dithyrambic singers. I personally enjoy listening to the FF7:AC version with the Black Mages on guitar, but with the original game lyrics. Easy to remember, and to sing along as well.
(9.5/10)

So, that concludes a fantastic evening at the concert, but i was mad at myself for not being able to get some autographs - i didn't want to miss my train out.
In short, if you have the money, please spend it on symphonies such as this. After so long listening to quality music with quality gear, nothing ever beats a live show. Not an open air live show, a properly acousticized, proper auditorium. We never get any younger, and hearing starts to degrade after a certain age, so do take the opportunity when you still can.


In a nutshell, all the FF8 pieces were not up to standard, the common themes and specialities like the One-Winged Angel were great, awesome vocals and soloists, great acoustics and splendid orchestra.
No Dancing Mad!
Overall rating - 8.5/10

Pieces i would have loved to hear:
- Dancing Mad (FF6)
Please, i urge any of you who have never listened to this before, to listen to it. Some, like me even swear it's better than One-Winged Angel!

- J-E-N-O-V-A (FF7)
This one is hard to explain. Do listen to it.

- Eyes On Me (FF8)
If only Faye Wong would lend her voice to sing this again.. That would be the icing on the cake.

- Melodies of Life (FF9)
The vocals for this, and the overall song will captivate you. Kindly listen to this one too.

- Ronfaure (FF11)
I love the richness of this track. Calls for a very regal adventure in an old kingdom.. I talk too much.



Oh, and did i mention Arnie promising to return, with Masashi Hamauzu, and/or Nobuo Uematsu?

This post has been edited by AzrinRain: Nov 28 2012, 06:12 AM

FF Returns to Malaysia!!!!!

Hello FINAL FANTASY Fans Out There,

I have two distant world tickets to sell. (Kuala Lumpur Concert)

PREMIUM Seats: Box H (Purple)- No. 5 & No. 6
Date: Sunday 17 August 2014 3:00pm

Heyyyyyyy, Dancing Mad was played this year! =D

(But we only have One Winged Angel as encore :'( I was hoping for more feature songs with vocal such as Melodies of Life or Eyes On Me)

My first time going to an orchestra, and it's ok I guess? Predictably (for me), the only ones that got me excited were the ones to do with VII, VIII and X. IV and VI were also great, but I didn't play them, so no emotional attachment to them haha. And XI and XIII didn't do anything for me.

I kinda also wanted more vocals, but maybe those songs would be more suitable for a pop or rock concert? I did want to hear Suteki da ne live nonetheless One Winged Angel is still badass though!