The sequel to “Dragon Quest in Concert” is a live performance from the NHK Orchestra with music from Dragon Quest I, II, and III. Released in 1988, it was the first orchestra recording to contain a collection of music from the Roto trilogy on one disc.
Tracks 1 through 9 cover Dragon Quest I and II, and then there’s a big Finale at the end of track 9. After that, we transition to Dragon Quest III for tracks 10 to 19.
The recording quality is excellent, and I love hearing the audience clap after each song is performed. It makes me feel as though I had been sitting there myself (though, had I been at this actual recording, I would have only been in Kindergarten). NHK’s performance of these tracks is phenomenal. It’s no wonder that this is the sort of album that set the precedent for Sugiyama (and those who finance him) to record multiple Symphonic Suites for each Dragon Quest to come.
This album is extremely rare. Some of its tracks can be found on a “Live Best” album published years later (though it’s a separate recording), but I would recommend that serious fans/collectors do their best to locate this fantastic live album.
