DISTANT WORLDS Featured at BAM, 4/1-2

Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY," the international concert phenomenon featuring Nobuo Uematsu's stirring music from the award-winning role-playing video game FINAL FANTASY under the direction of Grammy Award winner Arnie Roth, will make its New York debut April 1-2, 2011 at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn. AWR Music Productions' concert is presented by Infinite Wave, in association with Columbia Artists Management, Inc.

Tickets to "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" BAM concerts range in price from $65 - $175. The top tier tickets include premium seating and a post-concert meet and greet with Arnie Roth and Nobuo Uematsu. Tickets can be obtained online at bam.org/ffdistantworlds or by phone at 718.636.4100.

With more than 100 musicians on stage, "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" is a multi-media feast for the ears and the eyes. Composer Nobuo Uematsu's music, hailed by Time Magazine's Christopher John Farley for "(imbuing) FINAL FANTASY games with grandeur and depth, much the way John Williams' score helped propel Star Wars into hyperspace" is sweeping and richly atmospheric. Originally created to enhance the gaming experience of one of the best-selling video game franchises in history, the compositions have garnered legions of fans of their own. Featuring the 72-piece Distant Worlds Philharmonic, the Riverside Choral Society and three operatic vocal soloists, a classical guitar soloist, and acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV vocalist Susan Calloway, the concert is presented against a backdrop of high definition video of iconic moments from the game.

Since the FINAL FANTASY concert's debut in 2002 in Japan, the concerts have grown to become some of the most popular orchestral events in the world, frequently selling out in a matter of days.

"While originally composed to set the tone for the FINAL FANTASY games, Uematsu's music is as emotionally compelling and sophisticated as the work of any composer working today," said Music Director and Executive Producer Arnie Roth, who has held the baton for all FINAL FANTASY concerts in North America and Europe, including those featuring the San Francisco Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and Seattle Symphony as well as the Tokyo Philharmonic. "The breadth of his work is astounding, encompassing traditional orchestral and operatic work to pop-inspired ballads. To witness the overwhelming reaction of audiences - and even veteran musicians - to this music is a genuine thrill."

The two "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" BAM concerts will include two programs, culling highlights from Uematsu's music for the FINAL FANTASY game franchise (produced by Square Enix and now in its 14 edition since the franchise's debut in 1987, with more than 97 million units sold.)

"Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" concerts also feature select music by FINAL FANTASY XIII composer Masashi Hamauzu.

Following the two-night engagement in New York, Roth will present additional 2011 "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" concerts April 15-16 at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony; at Chicago's Symphony Center featuring the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and Chorus for two concerts on June 26; and at London's Royal Albert Hall featuring The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Choir on Nov. 5.

"Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" is produced by AWR Music Productions LLC.

The popular compact disc recording, "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY" was released in 2007, featuring the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Arnie Roth. "Distant Worlds: more music from FINAL FANTASY" was released in June 2010. Both are currently available at ffdistantworlds.com.

A new DVD and two compact disc package, entitled "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY Returning Home - LIVE IN JAPAN" will be released April 1 in conjunction with the BAM concerts. The release features the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wagner Society Male and Female Choir, conducted by Arnie Roth and featuring music by Nobuo Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu. On the recording are guest vocalists Susan Calloway and Frances Maya; guest guitarist Meng-Feng Su and guest pianist Benyamin Nuss. For more information visit www.ffdistantworlds.com.

ABOUT COMPOSER NOBUO UEMATSU

Nobuo Uematsu is one of the most celebrated composers in the video game field. He has achieved global recognition for his work on the FINAL FANTASY series that has been performed by world-class orchestras around the world. Nobuo Uematsu has been recognized as a major contributor in the increasing appreciation and awareness of video game music. A prime example is the "FINAL FANTASY VIII" theme song, "Eyes on Me," composed and produced by him. His song featured Hong Kong pop star Faye Wong and sold a record 400,000 copies. It also won "Song of the Year (Western Music)" at the 14th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards in 1999, which was the first time in history that music from a video game had attained this illustrious honor. The music from the game series has grown to such notoriety, Nobuo Uematsu was named as one of the "Innovators" in Time Magazine's "Time 100: the Next Wave Music " feature.

ABOUT MUSIC DIRECTOR Arnie Roth

Music Director Arnie Roth is a Grammy-winning artist known for his work with performers including Il Divo, Diana Ross, Jewel, The Irish Tenors, Charlotte Church, Peter Cetera, and Dennis DeYoung. Roth has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the BBC Symphony, the Czech National Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Detroit Symphony, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic and the Sydney Symphony.

Roth is well known in the world of video game music for his work with Nobuo Uematsu and Square Enix as Music Director and Conductor of the "Dear Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY," "More Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY," "VOICES: music from FINAL FANTASY," as well as his role as Music Director and Conductor of " PLAY! A Video Game Symphony." He was the winner of the Best Score Award at the 2003 DVD Premier Awards for his score for the film Barbie^TM as Rapunzel and was nominated for an Emmy in 2007 for his original song "Shine" from the movie Barbie^TM in The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Roth has produced dozens of best selling CD's. For more information, visit www.awrmusic.com.

ABOUT FINAL FANTASY

Since the release of the original FINAL FANTASY in 1987, this unique RPG series continues to showcase the spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds and rich stories leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from users around the world. The series have, as of September 2010, achieved a cumulative shipment of over 97 million units worldwide.

ABOUT SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

Square Enix Co.,Ltd.(Square Enix), headquarted in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes, and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 43 million units worldwide under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Visit www.square-enix.com for more information.

ABOUT INFINITE WAVE

Infinite Wave is a full-service marketing firm, specializing in direct mail and email marketing, graphic design, website development, and event management. With over ten years of experience, from full front-end design creation and support to back-end hosting and maintenance, Infinite Wave is committed to being a leader in the industry of creative design and visual marketing strategies by providing service that is both robust and effective. For more information, visit www.infinitewaves.com.

ABOUT Columbia Artists MANAGEMENT, INC.

Columbia Artists Management Inc. (CAMI) is an international leader in managing the careers and touring activities of the world's most prominent performing artists and institutions. The firm's managers include a diverse selection of individuals who specialize in the careers of instrumentalists, conductors, opera singers and other vocalists, as well as in the touring activities of orchestras and instrumental ensembles. Complementing its activities in classical music, the company manages an extensive roster of world music performing artists, as well as the leading classical, modern and popular dance companies. Worldwide management of Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY by Mark S. Maluso, Vice President. For more information, visit www.cami.com.

 

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