From the Ear’s Perspective: Gaming Will Save Classical Music

Posted April 8, 2009 by ADolge in Uncategorized.

Music and video game writer, Adam Dolge, takes a deep look into the relationship between video games and music. Whether it’s bands covering music from video game soundtracks, the musicians who compose songs for games, or the line between what sounds good and what hurts to hear, he’ll stroll with you through video game history, pulling out the best and worst of music in games.

Classical music’s stigma of catering only to old yuppies may soon peel off like the stinky layers of an onion. The “young” people just don’t appreciate classical music like their parents and grandparents. Some cities even experiment with playing classical music at bus and train stops to encourage troublesome youth to move along – the same way American soldiers blare Guns N’ Roses and Metallica to draw out Iraqis hiding in stone buildings.

A judge in the US ordered a “youth” to listen to 20 hours of classical music as “punishment” for a noise violation, blaring loud and offensive rap music. In exchange for listening to the classical music, the judge said he’d reduce the $150 fine to $35. The youth lasted 15 minutes. “I don’t have the time to deal with that,” he said. “I just decided to pay the fine.”

Symphonies across America are facing some of the hardest economic times, struggling to finish seasons and pay musicians. Sadly, some symphonies have cancelled the remainder of their season, some have even closed all together. Most of the struggling symphonies have at the very least cut salaries of staff members, musicians, and composers. But in a quiet crescendo, classical music has found its new savior – video games. It started small, with whispers of synthesized violins and cellos in classic NES games. It’s now grown to give musicians a new source of income, and give composers a new template to unfurl their creative mastery.

Video games have put orchestra musicians to work, it could be the new revival of classical music. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age and retire, and Generation X and the Millennials (I hate that term with passion) take the reigns, there’ll be a transition period where the youth must decide what’s important to them. In all likelihood, entertainment will be at or near the top of their list, and that entertainment certainly includes video games.

Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu has taken his music of the Final Fantasy series on the road. The world-tour called “Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy,” kicks off for the US leg this Saturday in Minneapolis, and will make stops in Grand Rapids, Detroit, San Francisco, Baltimore, Seattle, and Dallas. It’s more than just listening to the soundtrack of SQUARE ENIX’s popular Final Fantasy series. Attendees will hear a live, well trained, professional orchestra perform the game’s music while massive screens project art stills from the most memorable sequences of the game.

Many of the performances will feature a meet and greet with Uematsu and Music Director Arnie Roth. The very sexy Susan Calloway will make appearances to sing the title song from the CD version of Distant Worlds. Is there any better way to get young people to the orchestra than listening to music from Final Fantasy, watching art from the game, and being graced with Calloway’s presence?

An even better sign for classical music are the awards for soundtracks. At the Game Developers Conference held a few weeks ago in San Francisco, the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) honored the best music and songs from the year’s video games. Audio of the Year went to Dead Space, the survival horror game that’s soundtrack made me jump to the edge of my seat with nearly every step around a corner. Wataru Hokoyama won Rookie of the Year based on his compositions for Afrika and Resident Evil 5. Other winners included Gears of War 2, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and Left 4 Dead.

Finally, we recently learned that rock star status composer, Bear McCreary, is composing Capcom’s Dark Void. For the true nerd, you know what this means, for the average nerd, you have much to look forward to. His work on Battlestar Gallactica was some of the best music on television. He creates eerily dark, yet comforting music, that wraps the story in a neat little package, happily delivered to your ears. McCreary has said he’s opting for a full orchestra for Dark Void, so I can only imagine how it will feel to fly around with a jet pack while intense classical music guides my every movements.

Only time will save classical music and help orchestras through these tough financial times. Like nearly every non-profit organization, orchestras are truly feeling the economic pinch. But video games can save them, and will. Whether it’s with the star power of Bear McCreary, the recognition from numerous awards, or from popular game music like Final Fantasy, we certainly have reason to hope the community of classical musicians will continue to have work.

Tagged as bear mccreary, Final Fantasy, music, orchestra, Video Game Soundtrack