If I heard something like that coming from Koichi Sugiyama, I'd really have to question whether he deserved that teaching post at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts. Fortunately, most of String Quartet Dragon Quest was awesome!

Whoa, dude, relax...not like I'm going to have a...hemorrhoid...or whatever...over it...

No need to take it THAT harshly...

well I was just worried about your health. Glad no hemorrhoids are resulting from your dislike of the CC arrangements thus far.

Personally I think the Brass Quintets are better. Someone else out there may agree with me, seeing as they're making a *third* one in this series. Pretty psyched about it!

This.

That said, the sample was a little boring. Good instrumentation, dull arrangement. But I'm not a fan of the original piece either.

Well not always. Nor does 'orchestral' mean 'classical'. I'd have to listen to list one again, but upon one pass I didn't think it was all that either.

Has he ever taught music there?

Hayato Matsuo and Motoaki Takenouchi were both taught there and were pupils of his, so I'm pretty sure this is the case. However, I've never had it directly confirmed so maybe he taught them at a separate university. Either way, he graduated from a pretty eminent university himself and is used to teaching people from apparently the best music university in Japan, so I have respect for his musicianship (as cheesy as Dragon Quest II Suite, Jesus, and whatnot are).

Well, Matsuo's first encounter with Sugiyama actually happened outside of the university as the interview below goes. I know little about Takenouchi, but the relationship between Sugiyama and Matsuo comes across as more bussiness-oriented friendship (at least, to me) than 'master-and-pupil'. I don't dismiss the likelihood that Sugiyama taught and influenced him personally, though.

Speaking of CCAA, I would love to hear "The Garden of Gods" (probably the best track along with "Telmina: Another" and “Life”) in the same arrangement as his World Destruction's Theme.

i could never enjoy any music related to sugiyama. something i read a long time ago left a bad taste to me.

wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Sugiyama

"As a Japanese nationalist

Sugiyama is also known as a historical revisionist on Japanese history. Especially concerning the Nanking Massacre and Comfort Women issues, Sugiyama completely denies guilt of the Japanese Empire. He is one of the first signatories in approval of the "The Facts" advertisement in the Washington Post.[15][16] "

its simply disturbing.

i do like Motoaki Takenouchis music though, and i hope their bonds arent tight.

The views of the man, misguided or otherwise, should not prevent you from appreciating his music. I'm not a fan either way, but a similar example might be Wagner, whose music I can enjoy in spite of the man himself. I have Jewish friends who appreciate Wagner's music as well.

This.

You just gotta remember that Sugiyama is old enough to have powerful, positive memories of imperial Japan. We don't know what that's like.

Didn't know that... Man, that's disappointing. Sugiyama has always been one of my absolute favorites.

He probably doesn't see his overseas/American fans too kindly, eh? Either way, it has nothing to do with him being a brilliant composer/producer.

but it actually does. i simply dont feel comfortable with his music anymore. its not like i was a big fan either way, so its relatively simple to avoid him.

Heh, are you the guy who rated all Sugiyama's a 0.5 on VGMdb? Anyway, I agree with Smeg and Ramza. I try not to let a person's views or personality get in the way of how I perceive their art.  Although having a bad personality or controversial views is more likely to make me want to slam someone whose music already sucks, e.g. TT. Doesn't really change how I view their music though.

I guess if people think that political (or religious or whatever) views matter in instrumental music one better ask all musicians about them. May help people sifting through them.

Aren't most Japanese petty racists anyway? I do understand your sentiment though. I immediately stopped listening to "Thomas Dybdahl" (Norwegian artist) when I found out that he voted Conservative! I only listen to Norwegian musicians who votes on the Socialist Party now.

Those Japanese are strange though. Most European nationalists (exclude nazi-punks) would make "national" music, that is music which is distinctly Norwegian, British or French. But this Koichi dude seems to take most of his influence from European classical (gulp!), and not Japanese folk music. (?) My stance would be that a nationalist with such an internal inconsistency would deserve a listen.

(On the subject.) I've never been a Mitsuda-craze, but I do like most of the stuff I've listened to. I hope "Star-Stealing Girl" will get an arrangement like this one (A Narrow Space in Between). That said, I don't find this arrangement particularly exciting, but it works well as background music. That's exactly what I want from Mitsuda, and in my mind, that is what he excels at. That said, I also hope the album will flow nicely and have a single mood... An album that fits well to the activity of sitting on the couch - staring into thin air, sipping red wine, being in love, and thinking heart-pounding pink thoughts about the person of your fascination.

This is no different than a mother still loving a son that has been convicted of murder. Emotions are not rational. Sugiyama can believe there are aliens living in the core of the moon, he can believe certain historical figures in Japan are guilty of nothing; it doesn't matter. Beliefs are related to behavior, not abilities. His music ability is related to his irrational beliefs as much as my irrational beliefs are related to my writing ability. Beliefs may affect the content of the phenomena known as art, but not ability.

Unless you consider the slew of pop artists whose sole purpose is to espouse their (supposed) political or philosophical beliefs; sometimes, I don't think they even believe what they're singing about, they're just singing songs about what they think or know people will buy and listen to.

I mean, when that's the purpose of their music, and it's in their lyrics, it is REALLY hard to ignore, or otherwise not be irritated by them.

Wow, this thread has taken a rather unexpected turn :S

I agree with Jodo though (quickly, check if the rivers are turning red!) a person's artistic abilities are completely unrelated to their personal beliefs, but, like Bernhardt said, it could be considered bothersome when it shines through in their lyrics.

Sugiyama can spout all the bullshite he wants as long as he keeps making quality music.

And, seriously, not listening to someone because he votes Conservative!?
Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

I don't dare to directly criticize his opinion of Koichi Sugiyama. It's because it would generate such a negative atmosphere around here. And one wouldn't want to be responsible for that, would one? Better go with "hidden messages" then.

Uh....what?

I was talking about your comment on that Norwegian artist...

For those who might be interested, I have a new interview with Mitsuda on my website: here !

He refers to the Chrono Cross arranged album, saying that he has to complete it before moving on to another solo project. I guess things are finally starting to clear up. I am so looking forward to another Kirite, because I still consider this album as one of his greatest works, if not his greatest work.

Wow, really? I always thought Mitsuda did good BGMs, but his cinematic pieces (a la Xenogears) I think he also does well. Iwadare is also good at making melodic cinematic pieces, more than his BGMs...I'd say those're two artists right off the top of my head who I can think of actually do good, melodic cinematic music...

That is sad.

YES.

Sugiyama is the exclusive (?) composer for the Furai no Shiren/Shiren the Wanderer series (and you've played the DS game if you know what's good for you), which while not quite as Japanese as the stuff that you occasionally hear in games (like the ever delightful ondo), it's definitely a lot more Japanese than what you hear in Dragon Quest.

Actually, Hayato Matsuo has been largely responsible for the Fuurai no Shiren soundtracks aside the SNES and N64 soundtracks (so he did the games for GB, GBC, DC, DS, and Wii). He mostly arranges Sugiyama's compositions and creates a number of his own. Also the arranger of the awesome SNES arranged album. But great to see another person recognises this awesome series!

Someone needs to ask Mitsuda if he'll ever work with Joanne Hogg again. That would warm my heart.

Agreed. Those two were born to collaborate.

I hope that the two Chrono Cross arranged tracks from Hopeful Weeds are included. Those tracts are truly wonderful to listen to. I love Mitsuda's light acoustic sound.

From Mitsuda's facebook:
"Finish of the project. The next project arrange album. It CHRONO CROSS"

If someone understands French, does he really say this album is coming out this year? Check out page 5 (?) in this interview:
http://www.wakanim.tv/dossier/10/1/inte … ri-mitsuda

Nice find.
Assuming the translation from japanese to french is correct in the first place, he says twice "It'll be done within the year".
Let's wait & see..

Wow, effing *finally*!  This is an insta-buy for me.

i'll celebrate when it's out

Now we just have to figure out if he means within 2011, or a year from that post! haha