Video Games Live (VGL) is a concert series created and produced by industry veterans and video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall.[1] The concerts consist of segments of video game music performed by a live orchestra with video footage and synchronized lighting and effects,[2] as well as several interactive segments with the audience. The segments are conducted by Wall.[3]
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History
Video Games Live was first conceived by Wall and Tallarico, who spent three years planning the show. During the planning, the technology needed to let the concert master communicate with the performers, as well as to synchronize with the lights and effects, was also created.[2] The concert debuted on July 6, 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl, where the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performed to an audience of 11,000 people.[2] Three concerts were played the first year. In 2006, the concert re-launched with an 11 show world tour. The concert was expanded to 30 cities in 2007 and 47 cities in 2008. More than 70 shows are scheduled for 2009.[4]
Each concert is performed by the local orchestra[2] and local professional musicians.[1]
Segments
Video Games Live features music from video games from all eras. Music from more recent games, such as Final Fantasy, Halo, World of Warcraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Legend of Zelda and Metal Gear Solid have been performed. Other segments feature retro arcade games such as Tetris and Asteroids. Video footage of each game is shown during its segment.[3]
Martin Leung, who became known on the Internet for playing video game songs on a piano while blindfolded, also routinely performs during the concerts.[5][6]
The show features several interactive segments where audience members are invited on stage to play video games while the orchestra plays music to match the game. Games such as Frogger,[7] Space Invaders and Guitar Hero have been played live.[5]
Performed music
The following is a list of video games from which music has been performed.
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Albums
Video Games Live, Vol. 1, a recording of various segments from multiple shows, was released on July 22, 2008. The music on the album was performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra and was released by Angel Records.
| Tracklisting | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Title | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Kingdom Hearts" | 3:39 | |||||||
| 2. | "Warcraft Suite" | 5:05 | |||||||
| 3. | "Myst Medley" | 6:04 | |||||||
| 4. | "Medal Of Honor (Live)" | 5:42 | |||||||
| 5. | "Civilization IV Medley" | 4:55 | |||||||
| 6. | "The Video Game Pianist: Tetris" | 1:08 | |||||||
| 7. | "God Of War Montage (Live)" | 3:35 | |||||||
| 8. | "Advent Rising Suite" | 6:27 | |||||||
| 9. | "Tron Montage" | 5:19 | |||||||
| 10. | "Halo Suite" | 6:37 | |||||||
| 11. | "Castlevania Live Performance" | 4:44 | |||||||
| 53:24 | |||||||||
Legacy
Wall and Tallarico see the concert as a way to show "how culturally significant video games and video game music is in the world today."[7] Video Games Live has been praised for bridging the generational gap by showing older generations that video game music is not just "bleeps and bloops."[2] When the show is performed in Brazil, it is subsidized by the government for getting young people involved in the arts.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b Liu, Marian (2009-01-23). ""Video Games Live" is a feast for the eyes and ears". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008660692_zmus23videogameslive.html. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ a b c d e f Eberson, Sharon (2009-07-07). "PSO presents 'Video Games Live' to turn on new generation". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09188/982200-51.stm. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ a b Jean, Grace (2007-07-02). "It's All in the Playing At NSO's 'Video Games Live'". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/AR2007070101112.html. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ Graser, Marc (2009-05-29). "Video Games Live's global success". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004308.html?categoryId=1079&cs=1. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ a b Dunlap, Brandon M. (2009-03-21). "Crowd of gamers elated by 'Video Games Live' concert at Miller". mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/03/crowd_of_gamers_elated_by_vide.html. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ Schiesel, Seth (2009-10-26). "Video Games (No Controller Needed)". nyt.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/arts/television/27video.html. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
- ^ a b Iwasaki, Scott (2008-03-29). "Symphony help breathe life into video games". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265797,00.html. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
External links
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