Koichi Sugiyama, one of the greatest names in the videogame music industry, started his career way before game music even existed. He had done music for TV commercials, some movies (one of which I am aware of is Godzilla) and anime (Magic Knight Rayearth is but one of them). His first known project as a game music composer is the original Dragon Quest (known as Dragon Warrior in the US). Sugiyama has composed for every single Dragon Quest game since, including Dragon Warrior Monsters and Torneko’s Adventures. Sugiyama also scored a game for Square, the obscure Hanjuku Hero (Half-Boiled Hero) on the SFC.
The ways Sugiyama lays out his songs sounds distinctly classical, which makes sense as he is a classical-trained musician. Composers such as Nobuo Uematsu and Yuzo Koshiro look up to him, and in their turn, they have both became widely known, just as the “Father of Game Music,” perhaps even more. Now then, shall we begin looking into what is his latest work?
The first disc, Dragon Quest VII Symphonic Suite, shares a particular trait that all its predecessors shared, the very best of the game’s tracks are performed by a live orchestra, but not just ANY orchestra, by the highly popular London Philharmonic. The second disc is the OST itself. Unfortunately, due to the fact that DQVII was originally destined for release on the SFC, the sound quality suffers a bit, heck, even Dragon Quest VI sounds better. However, we will begin with disc 1.
We start off with “Overture VII,” which is the classic opening theme of all the Dragon Quest games, and it is brilliantly executed; the trumpets do their part very well in giving off a medieval feel. “Morning in Eden” begins quietly and is a marvelous introduction theme. This time the violins help to convey some emotion. “Saraband” sounds somewhat sad, and makes excellent use of the violins, which makes it even more saddening. As the title states, “Echo of Horns throughout the Castle” is the castle theme. The main instrument here is the French horn—just lovely—and the cellos used later on gives off a wondrous effect. This is the symphonic style in which Sugiyama is known for. “Heavenly Village” must be the hero’s village theme; it’s a beautiful and happy track. The flute used here just makes you go “awwwwww…”
“Days of Sadness” is another sad, but oh so lovely medley. The use of cellos and violins here are just stupendous, and really help to convey the mood. “Strolling in the Town” is a medley of the following songs: “Relaxing Street Corner,” “Paradise,” “Garden Naptime” and “Party in the Open.” This track is mostly quiet and just a bit upbeat, as well as the longest track on the album clocking in at 8:08 minutes. “Memories of a Lost World ~ Moving through the Present” is one of the more epic tracks. It first starts off with a quiet theme, then the world map theme makes its majestic entrance. The trumpets here gives of the “We’re off to save the world from an incredible evil!” kinda feel, and the violins complement the cellos wonderfully, followed by the majestic trumpets. “Shadow of Death” starts off menacingly, but later on reveals its beautiful side; the violins here… they’re just so beautiful. This is probably the theme for dungeons and such. (I haven’t gotten to play DQVII yet, so sue me :P).
Now comes one of the finest tracks in the first disc; “Fighting Spirit ~ World of the Strong” are the battle and boss battle themes respectively. “Fighting Spirit” starts off well… the use of violins and percussions here really make this track extra-enjoyable. After the first loop, we are presented to a lovely interlude before we move on to “World of The Strong,” which is equally enjoyable, but “Fighting Spirit” has more overall “umph” to it. “Sphinx ~ Mysterious Sanctuary” must be more dungeon themes, which both sound plain good. There’s really nothing else that comes to mind here, sorry. “Aboard Ship ~ Pirates of the Sea” starts off with a lovely harp, quickly backed up by violins and has a small mischievous sound to it. Later on the trumpets and horns make their way in and the drums here sound like a military march – very good.
“To my Loved One” is simply… beautiful, romantic, enchanting, yep, the violin use here just makes me speechless, it’s so beautiful. “Screams from the Tower of Monsters” starts off mysteriously, then it starts getting a bit eerie, but it fits the mood perfectly. “With Sadness in Heart ~ A Safe Haven” is another sad/beautiful track, once more the violins here help a ton to convey many feelings. “Magic Carpet” is somewhat upbeat, the horns and violins complement the melody nicely; it seems the violin is the most-used instrument in the soundtrack so far. “Over the Horizon” is the last lovely track on disc 1, and at a certain point it gets very epic and has the “Don’t worry, we’ll vanquish the evil soon” kinda feel. I like this a lot. Disc 1 ends with “Orgo Demila,” which is the final boss theme; it uses an opening pattern that Sugiyama has used in each Dragon Quest since since DQ1. The trumpets and percussion shows off the immense power of the ultimate evil (whoever it is), then the violins bring in an element of danger as the fight wears on… oh, how dreadfully well it is executed.
Well, this concludes the Symphonic Disc, I’ll let my partner, Kero Hazel, tell you about the OST tracks.
