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Video Games Live special brings orchestral game music to PBS
Are video games art? That question may still be a cause of debate for some, but there is little question that there is artistry in video games -- like the music, which often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. Game music composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall have been doing their best to change that for years now with their symphonic Video Games Live show, however, and it looks like they'll soon have what could be their largest audience yet. The group recently announced that PBS will be debuting a 90-minute Video Games Live special on July 31st, which will continue to air throughout August, and be available on DVD, Blu-ray and CD. Check with your local PBS affiliate for the exact time and air dates in your area, and head on past the break for a taste of what's in store.
Video Games Live announces 50 shows for world tour
You wouldn't castigate us for saying that many classic video games are loved and remembered not just for their gameplay and characters, but their memorable music. Why, just think of The Legend of Zelda's dum dum, da da da dadum, da da da da daaa da da da da da dadum! Or Sonic the Hedgehog's dada da da dee dum dum, da dada da dum dee dum dum. And who could forget Mega Man's dada dada dadee dum, dadum dadum dum daaa?If you're a video gamer who appreciates everything from 8-bit beeps and boops to rousing orchestral scores, we encourage you to drag those big ears of yours to a Video Games Live concert. Created in 2002 by composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Video Games Live honors a wide range of games in -- thanks to its 50-show strong world tour -- a wide range of American and international venues. See a complete list of planned concert locales (including France, China, Taiwan, Scotland and Portugal) and dates after the break.
Video Games Live announces 40 shows across the globe
Video Games Live has announced approximately 40 shows to take place across the globe over the next year. Full details aren't available on some locations, but there will be special concerts at GDC, Comic-Con, Leipzig and a bullring in Mexico (full list of locations after the break). There's really nothing more to say about VGL other than you should go and see hear it. The quality of the show is absolutely worth the price of admission and there's nothing quite like getting a chill from hearing your favorite piece of game music played by a full orchestra. If going into public isn't your thing, there's always the CD.[Via Press Release]
Video Games Live to make TV debut on Spike VGAs
Video Games Live, composer Tommy Tallarico's gaming-centric orchestra concert event, is making its national television debut next Sunday, December 9, on Spike TV's Video Game Awards. The performance will be recorded along with the awards show, hosted again this year by Samuel L. Jackson, December 7 in Las Vegas.No word on what songs will be performed, although the press release from VGL noted that "brand new never before seen material" is in the cards.
Video Games Live shows scheduled for 25 cities
Video game concert series Video Games Live announced 25 new shows across the US today, with a couple in Canada and one in London, England. Tickets are on sale now for most of the shows. The newly designed concert now includes music from Halo 3, BioShock, Conan, and StarCraft II.A list of venues can be found after the break. If you've never attended a Video Games Live concert it's definitely worth it. Although composers like Beethoven, Mozart and Vivaldi are tired, if Video Games Live plays Chopin from Eternal Sonata does that make him hip again? Hmmm. Anyway, Video Games Live is a recommendable evening of entertainment to attend when it comes to your city.
Video Games Live CD coming October 15
Find yourself a CD player, yet? An album of epic, gaming proportions is coming October 15 when EMI Classics releases Video Games Live: Greatest Hits -- Volume One. Although it's not a live recording (according to the press release, it was mixed and recorded at London's Abbey Road studios), the collection does feature music from Zelda, Mario, Halo, Warcraft, Sonic, Myst, Civilization IV, Final Fantasy ... and Tron.No word on the previously-mentioned DVD release, also expected this fall. We've contacted VGL co-creator Tommy Tallarico for more information.
Video Games Live goes to London with Halo 3
In an effort to bring the Video Games Live concert series to the worldwide masses, Microsoft and the Xbox 360 will be sponsoring a London VGL concert. The London concert will take place at the The Royal Festival Hall on October 22nd and feature the normal video game music lineup plus a special Halo 3 musical arrangement performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. And since Xbox 360 will be sponsoring all the VGL fun, concert goers will be able to play some of this Fall's amazing 360 games, do a little cos-play and partake in gaming tournaments at the event. If you're in the London area and are interested in going you can purchase your tickets online at the Southbank Centre.
BlizzCon: closing ceremony audio, including Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain
Well, BlizzCon is officially over, and folks will have to wait another year to experience it again. Hopefully by this time next year, however, both StarCraft 2 and the WoW expansion Wrath of the Lich King will be on store shelves, or in your hands. Until then we'll be waiting for the dribbles to trickle out of Blizzard with more information.But, all is not lost. They did send us out with a bang that included 30 minutes of fairly decent comedy with Jay Mohr, a performance by Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain (the highlight of the night of which a brief video appears above), and a pretty sweet set from Video Games Live, including the Diablo theme being played on a 12-string guitar. That was the best moment of the night, and makes us wonder even more when there will be some sort of a Diablo sequel.Check out the gallery below, which contains some new shots from the closing ceremonies. You can always head over after the break to listen to the complete audio of Jay's performance, the L70ETC set, and the Video Games Live goodness. In handy mp3 format for your listening pleasure. Also be sure to check out the exhaustive BlizzCon coverage from WoW Insider, who really brought down the house with their in-depth look at Lich King, and the event as a whole.%Gallery-5475%
NPR goes to Video Games Live
We're glad to see Video Games Live getting some attention from National Public Radio, and it's nice to hear some of VGL on their broadcast. But we have to admit to being a little bit perturbed by the tone of the reporter, who appears to be mystified by the idea that anyone would be in the seats. "Why is video game music so compelling to these people?" he wonders aloud, the disdain deliciously audible.We would kindly remind NPR that the only way that orchestras in many areas can fill seats is by promising to play the hits of Andrew Lloyd Webber or selections from Rocky, Chariots of Fire and Star Wars. The chamber halls ceased long ago to be the domain solely of Mozart and Beethoven. We understand that video game concerts are novel, but is the reasoning behind them really so puzzling? [Thanks, Jenn]
Azeroth Interrupted: Life Lessons learned from BlizzCon
Each week, Robin Torres contributes Azeroth Interrupted, a column about balancing real life with WoW.Well, I'm back home from BlizzCon and am reunited with my family. I feel that aside from the WoW info I absorbed there, that I have also learned some valuable Real Life lessons -- and I hope that other attendees learned some, too.Family First: Ok, I knew this one already, but BlizzCon reinforced it. Because I knew my daughter was well taken care of by her other parent, I was able to relax and enjoy myself. But also, Blizzard made their convention very family friendly. There was plenty to do for the whole family, including jousting. I saw babies strapped happily to parents and children enjoying a kind of Halloween in August, like this young Tauren pictured here. Unfortunately, my daughter is too old to be carried all day and too young to sit still for too long, but it is good to see that there will be plenty for her to do if we go as a family when she's older -- perhaps at BlizzCon 2010.
Leaked BlizzCon VGL sheet music points North
This might be the closest thing we've heard to news about the next expansion yet-- an anonymous tipster sent us a note that the Video Games Live orchestra, scheduled to play in the final concert at BlizzCon, has received their sheet music for the show, and hidden within the pages is three pieces called "Northrend 1, 2, and 3."That track doesn't appear in the Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, or Burning Crusade soundtrack lists at all. Warcraft 2's soundtrack was released as mp3 tracks by Blizzard, and Northrend doesn't appear there, either. So unless this is an old midi track from Warcraft or Warcraft II, odds are that we're looking at a brand new piece of music, and that players will be headed to Northrend very soon.Now, of course when you think Northrend, you have to think Arthas. Blizzard has said in the past that a full raid of level 80 players would be needed to beat him (at least), so if we are going to Northrend in the next expansion, we may be looking at yet another 10 level cap raise. Then again, just because Northrend opens doesn't mean the cap is going up yet. And of course, even if we do go to Northrend, there's no guarantee that it will be the only new land in the expansion, so you Emerald Dream dreamers can still hold out hope.But I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that at some point during BlizzCon (my guess is still during the opening ceremony), we're going to hear more about the big continent to the north.
Video Games Live coming to your CD and DVD player this Fall
And you do have a CD or DVD player, right? If not, you've probably made a slight typing error in your efforts to visit Koistiq.com, the world's most popular fish enthusiast blog. As for the rest of you, please note the following: Video Games Live has finally announced that a CD and DVD recording of one of their extravagant concerts will be released in the US and "throughout the world" this Fall.The alliteratively awesome Tommy Tallarico, video game composer and co-creator of Video Games Live, says he's been ignoring pleas for five years! "Since we started Video Games Live over 5 years ago we've always received at least a few e-mails and letters each week asking if and when a DVD and CD would be available." Since we're sure 90% of those messages and threats came from us, we're especially pleased that the group has finally relented and seen (heard?) fit to preserve last Novembro's Rio De Janeiro, Brazil concert in digital form. You'll find a trailer embedded after the break.More information concerning exact release dates and prices will be revealed in August. Oh, and if any fishermen are still reading this, get yourself a DVD player before then.
Video Games Live to play Kennedy Center in Wash. D.C.
OK, now Video Games Live is getting big time. Video Games Live will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for two days, June 29 and 30, with the National Symphony Orchestra. Yes, that was not a typo. The orchestra, which typically won't creep past the 19th century, is about to take on the last 30 years in video games."What an incredible honor for us and the entire video game industry to be playing at such a historical landmark with such a prestigious symphony," said video game composer and Video Games Live co-creator Jack Wall. Fellow co-creator and game composer Tommy Tallarico added, "We've already started inviting as many local politicians and their families as possible. It's important for us to show everyone how incredibly creative, artistic and significant video games and the culture surrounding them have become."Just pick up our jaws off the floor already. Video Games Live is also holding a contest to send someone and a guest to the event. Sponsored by Microsoft, ManiaTV and DreamAuthentics you can apply here. There will also be a pre-show on the Grand Foyer with "costume contest, free game demo handouts, prize give-a-ways" and game competitions. After the concert people will be able to meet Sid Meier (only appearing June 30) and other industry veterans. Very cool news, now we wonder if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sit next to Sid Meier and discuss Civilization, while Vice President Dick Cheney and Epic's Mark Rein go boozing in the lobby and Cheney lets him know they got the splatter effect of shooting someone all wrong in Gears of War.[Via Press Release]
BlizzCon will get back to the classics
Blizzard fans can expect to get an earful at their visits to the World Wide Invitational and BlizzCon this year. The classical orchestra Video Games Live will be performing at both live events in and Anaheim, at no additional cost to attendees. I guess we can call that more bang for your $100 bucks of BlizzCon admission. As nifty a backdrop as this will be, particularly for the WWI and for what I am betting will be a great new Starcraft announcement, I can't help but feel disappointed. I was hoping to be able to hair metal out with my friends to another rendition of "I am Murloc." Level 60 Elite Tauren Chieftan, I miss you. I guess I will have to watch my TBC behind the scenes DVD and be satisfied with that. [via Joystiq]
A classical approach to Blizzard with Video Games Live
Where there's gamers, classical music will follow. Video Games Live announced today that they'll have two special Blizzard-themed concerts at Blizzard Entertainment's two major gaming conventions. The first will be at Blizzard's World Wide Invitational this Saturday in Seoul, South Korea, and the other will be at BlizzCon, held in Anaheim, Calif., in August. We're willing to put good money down right now that the orchestra will play (or at least have video of) something from the new possible Starcraft game after the big announcement this Saturday -- those of you attending in Korea get your camera phone's video option ready!The best part is admission to the concerts is included in the price of both events. No additional purchase will be required. BlizzCon prices are $100 USD per person. For those who haven't seen a Video Games Live concert it is definitely a non-meh experience -- you may very well get chills when the theme to a game you really like starts. Considering these concerts will be held with Blizzard fans present, we expect the chills to be of frost nova proportions in the audience.[Via Press Release]
Halo as performed by the Yale orchestra
Let's face it, most people don't play Halo for the pretty music, but it does feature a unique score for a first person shooter. The iconic chanting has firmly planted itself in the hearts and minds of gamers the world over. It even seems that the haunting refrain has wormed its way into the great minds of Yale University. In one of the recent performances of Video Games Live, the Yale Symphony Orchestra-Choir performed pieces from the games. The group performed music from both Halo 2 and the first Halo 3 trailer, all set to footage from the series. Tommy Tallarico even busted out the electric guitar for the finale. Scrutinize the video above, enjoy it's soothing sounds, and dream of May 16th.[Via Bungie.net]
Castlevania music hits it really, really big
Our lives are officially forfeit. At a recent Video Games Live show at Yale's Woolsey Hall, classic Castlevania music was performed on a three-story pipe organ, like it was always meant to be. And we were nowhere near it. What is there to live for now? Oh, right, playing this video of it over and over again. Check out the video after the break, and gasp along with us as Vampire Killer kicks in. We feel bad for the poor pipe organ, having gotten a taste of Vania music and forced now to return to its former life.[Via Joystiq]
Castlevania themes played on massive pipe organ
Add this to your list of things you never knew you needed to see: The music of Castlevania played on a three-story pipe organ. The video was taken during a Video Games Live performance at Yale's Woolsey Hall this past weekend. The century-old organ is apparently famous ... if, you know, you're a pipe organ aficionado. Oh, who are we kidding? Attempting to be cynical in the face of something this rad is pretty futile.That being said, check out the guy unable to keep himself from applauding at 28 seconds in when he realizes what's going on. Don't laugh too hard though; wouldn't we all do the same?
Video Games Live holding 14 shows at 10 North American cities [update 1]
Video Games Live continues to spread its musically inclined tendrils across the North American continent, with the announcement of 13 upcoming concerts in 10 different cities. If you can't make the GDC concert next month (featuring Nintendo's Koji Kondo), perhaps you'll find solace in the complete list of events presented after the break.In addition, Video Games Live concerts are currently being planned for several European, Asian and South American venues. Keep an eye (and an ear) out for further announcements regarding international events.
Nintendo's Koji Kondo joins Video Games Live lineup
If one plans to append adjectives to Nintendo's music composer, Koji Kondo, the word "legendary" makes for an obvious start. The Legend of Zelda, along with Star Fox and Mario, are just some of the properties Kondo has contributed to since joining Nintendo in 1984. Attendees of this year's Video Games Live concert will be pleased to learn that the man himself will be making an appearance and performing "one of his favorite melodies" on stage. Can't say we've heard that one -- could someone hum a few bars?The event, which brings GDC to a symphonic end, is being held at Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco on March 9 at 8PM. Other highlights in this year's show include Martin Leung with a new piano arrangement, an acoustic medley by original LucasArts composers (Monkey Island!), a Chris Kline Contra presentation and a performance by voice-over artist, Dee Baker. Get your tickets here, if you please.[Via Press Release]
