### An Evening with the Music of Square Enix: A Concert Review
On a recent Saturday in Seattle, I had the opportunity to attend the Music of Square Enix orchestral concert, serving as a perfect end to a week-long vacation filled with unforgettable moments. The standout performance of the evening was undoubtedly “Megalomania” from *Live A Live*, which acted as the grand finale for the first half of the show. Although I playfully wished for music from *Final Fantasy 6*, the concert offered a captivating selection of pieces that resonated with enthusiasts of video game music.
The event was hosted at the esteemed Benaroya Hall and was led by conductor Eric Roth. Having grown up surrounded by orchestral music thanks to my mother’s career as a symphony musician, I attended the concert with an attentive ear. While the overall performance was enjoyable, I found the musical execution to be somewhat lacking. The conductor occasionally struggled to keep the energy, particularly in the opening of “Megalomania.” Additionally, an unfortunate incident in the horn section dulled a few impactful moments during “Time’s Scar” from *Chrono Cross*.
Recognizing the demanding nature of such concerts, it seems these events often come with limited rehearsal times. Local symphonies, like the Seattle Symphony, typically receive the music shortly before the performance and have minimal time to practice together. As appealing as it would be to repeatedly play intricate pieces like “Megalomania” in advance of a concert, the reality is more often about presenting unfamiliar works with just a brief rehearsal.
Despite some execution flaws, the concert still offered an emotional experience. Fans expressed joy upon hearing beloved themes, while some voiced disappointment over pieces that were not performed. Highlights included multiple selections from the *Kingdom Hearts* series, which evoked mixed responses from the crowd. Personally, I was excited by the performance of “Vector to the Heavens,” a remarkable piece by Yoko Shimomura, adding to the thrill of hearing it live, even though the conductor stumbled over the title in his introduction.
A particularly enjoyable segment was dedicated to *Chrono Trigger*, featuring a fantastic medley of four tracks: “Wind Scene,” “Frog’s Theme,” “Corridors of Time,” and “Schala’s Theme.” The audience was clearly delighted, showcasing the strong nostalgia and connection to these classic songs.
Concert-goers also relished the surprise of deeper cuts from lesser-known titles. A piece from *Final Fantasy Tactics* caught me off guard, likely a reference to its recent remake. Additionally, the orchestra performed selections from *Xenogears* and *Romancing SaGa 2*, which received cheers from knowledgeable fans, despite my unfamiliarity with the games. The visuals added an amusingly confusing glimpse into their narratives.
The concert wrapped up with “Time’s Scar,” followed by an encore medley celebrating *Final Fantasy* with highlights from *Final Fantasy V, X, XII*, and a classic battle theme from *Final Fantasy VII*. However, it was notably strange that *Final Fantasy VI* was completely missing from the lineup, an omission felt keenly by many.
Although I could have bemoaned the lack of representation for other cherished titles like *Dragon Quest* or *The World Ends With You*, I departed the venue feeling pleased with the overall experience. For anyone fascinated by the blend of live classical music and video game scores, I strongly recommend attending a concert featuring this repertoire. With many upcoming tour dates, those eager to experience symphonic interpretations of iconic tracks like “Megalomania,” “Time’s Scar,” and “One-Winged Angel” will find it truly unforgettable.
