I would like to ask for recommendations on exceptional scores (in the japanese rpg music style--the medieval-ish, fantastical romanticism) that utilizes live instrumentation.  I already have the arranged Final Fantasy stuff, the arranged Rogue galaxy ost, some arranged Dragon Quest,...  Thank you!

Folks Soul has some live instrumentation (Strings, Irish Flute, Flute, Cello and Viola) while the rest is in synth, but you'd likely never be able to tell as it is so convincing. And it's also a Fantasy score, given the images you see when you search for it (it's US name is FolkLore), it will be relased later this fall I think (on PS3).

Other than that, Blue Dragon has some live choir, piano, strings and electric guitar in most tracks. However unlike FolkSoul, the synth is very apparent here.

Thanks Dragon God.  Any chance you know of a site with extensive sound samples for the Folks Soul score?  All I could find so far was a few very brief sound clips, too brief to decide whether or not to buy.  I'm certainly familiar with the game having seen some lovely videos of it at GameTrailers.

Nothing else than what's on the official soundtrack page I'm afraid

Here are samples of each track of Folks Soul from cdjapan's mothersite (neowing)

http://www.neowing.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=KDSD-141

It's a 3 disc set, english tracknames are listed here
http://www.gmronline.com/info.asp?CatNu … D-00141~43

Elvandia Story by Norihiko Hibino has a very sweeping fantasy style, awaking recollections from Soul Calibur, Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII and more. I think it's synth, but the sound is high quality.