With the last of the Play! A Videogame Symphony concerts coming to an end this week, (watch for our review) we got a chance to speak with the producer for the program, Jason Michael Paul, about the process of assembling what many people might consider an unorthodox orchestral performance.
How did the different orchestras and choirs take to doing music from videogames?
At first they are somewhat reluctant and take some convincing. However, once they see a live and enthusiastic crowd they cannot help but gain utmost respect for this growing genre of music. Programmers and presenters who want to see the arts survive have to see this as a way to bring in a young audience. Programming has to be relative to the fabric of the youth or else there is no hope for these orchestras. It is not common for an orchestra and choir to have standing ovations. Typically, the audience they are used to performing to are quiet, an older demographic, and seemingly lack enthusiasm and energy. This is the complete opposite at PLAY! concerts. Presenters who get it routinely ask us to come back.
Walk us through the selection process for the pieces chosen to play live?
1) It is a process that usually begins with personal favorites. 2) The support of the publishers and the composers plays a huge role in what is performed. 3) What is possible in terms of musical compositions and whether it can be translated to an orchestration. 4) We can judge from other shows that we have produced the response from the audience and see first hand what works and what didn’t. 5) The fans input also plays a large part in the selections that we perform. We rely heavily on the input from the fans. We want to hear what you have to say so please email or sign up for our newsletter at www.play-symphony.com.
How successful was the tour, and would you do anything different now that it’s coming to a close?
It is far from over! These first series of dates were simply a promotional tour. We are only beginning PLAY!. We are going to have a lot of announcements at our website shortly. Many dates are going to be announced around the world in the upcoming months, including recordings, etc. We are always striving to improve the show. We are trying to create a bigger and better show that will involve more support from the publishers such as exclusive game demos, exhibits, music listening stations, and a variety of other experiences to make the concert more immersive and the a total fan experience.
Is there anything you wanted to include in the presentation, but for whatever reasons were unable to?
We would like to include the visuals from FINAL FANTASY, and Chrono Cross/ Chrono Trigger. I was fortunate to have these rights when I was doing an exclusive FINAL FANTASY concert but now that the show is mixed this not feasible.
What is the first videogame theme song you remember?
Probably Ghouls and Ghosts
Do you think we’re in the golden age of soundtracks for games, or do you think that age has passed?
Just like any musical genre there is the past and the present. Some artists and composers get better with time. I think there are some composers who adapt and are able to maintain a quality that is lasting and then there are others who simply fall off due to a lack of ingenuity. For instance, John Williams, and Nobuo Uematsu are still doing what they did when they first started. They have upheld excellence in their respective genre of music sound tracks for film and video games respectively. Many composers that we work with are able to use the new technologies to continue to raise the bar and expand the music taking it to new heights. I think that video game music sound tracks are just now being recognized by the masses, which is ultimately raising the awareness of this art form. The future is bright for this genre of music.
What’s your favorite videogame theme, from the past or from the present?
There are many but Paperboy, Gauntlet, Revenge of Shinobi, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros. are some of my favorite themes from the past. My favorite theme from the present has to be the One Winged Angel live version that I recorded in LA 2005 with Arnie Roth (conductor), The World Festival Symphony Orchestra, The CSUF University Singers, and The Black Mages. This can be heard on the More Friends- Music from FINAL FANTASY live recording.
Do you play videogames now, and if so, which ones?
Not as much now, but I most recently played Prey, World of Warcraft, FINAL FANTASY 12 and Lego Star Wars 2.
What’s next for JMP productions?
I am going to be a father in December for the first time. I am going to take some time off.
Considering more than half the DailyGame staff also has children, we’d say that family time will be most welcome. Congratulations to Jason Michael Paul on a successful tour and his impending fatherhood, and thanks for taking the time to answer DailyGame’s questions.