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Symphonic Fantasies was first carried out and recorded in 2009 in Germany, that includes music from 4 fashionable Sq. Enix titles/sequence: Secret of Mana, Chrono Set off, Kingdom Hearts, and Ultimate Fantasy. The staff would go on to do the 2 Ultimate Symphony albums, each particular to the Ultimate Fantasy sequence. Pianist Mischa Cheung takes the Symphonic Fantasies venture from Merregnon and makes a piano concerto out of it, with the assistance of 4 gifted arrangers. I’ve cherished just about the whole lot this staff has executed up to now, however what occurs once we swap from symphony to piano?
Piano Fantasies isn’t a easy switch from symphony to piano solo. The four-movement symphonic masterpiece utilized massive swathes of supply materials. Whereas Piano Fantasies sticks with the identical 4 titles (or, within the case of KH and FF, sequence), the precise items featured within the preparations are fairly totally different. And whereas arranger Roger Wanamo returns, Jonne Valtonen is unfortunately lacking. Nevertheless, the brand new arrangers on this venture positively have one thing particular.
As Piano Fantasies‘ 12 tracks are damaged neatly into 4 sections based mostly on the respective video games/franchises, with every part dealt with by totally different arrangers, I’ve adopted go well with. Let’s begin with a while journey!
Chrono Set off
Piano Fantasies begins with a bang: Cheung crashes onto the piano with “Boss Battles.” This medley strikes in reverse order, beginning with Mitsuda’s “Boss Battle 2” and transitioning to “Boss Battle 1.” Arranger Roger Wanamo places Cheung’s method to the check with chromatic descents that use harmonic thirds. I don’t know the way one pulls this off with out three palms, however Cheung does it, and it sounds wonderful. Simply attempt to sustain with the tempo of this frenetic 12/8 piece!
With the subsequent monitor, “On the Backside of Night time,” we, the listeners, and performer Mischa Cheung get a much-needed reprieve. This melancholy piece is completely suited to a piano association. I used to be glad to see this choice versus fan favorites like “Wind Scene” and “Secret of the Forest,” if solely to listen to one thing totally different.
To finish our Chrono Set off block, fittingly, we’ve the tip theme, “To Far Away Instances.” Between Wanamo’s association and Cheung’s deft dealing with, this association appears like a ballad. It’s downright sing-along-able. My thoughts stored going again to the organized album of the identical title (To Far Away Instances), which featured a vocal association starring Sarah Àllain. The distinction between plunking the suitable keys on the proper time (what I think about I might do as a hobbyist) and what Cheung does in his nuanced interpretation is strictly the way you get this recording, the place it appears like Àllain is singing the melody.
Ultimate Fantasy
Andrew Cottee takes on the daunting activity of arranging music for the Ultimate Fantasy sequence block. At first look, one may argue he performs it protected along with his first decide: “Chocobo’s Theme.” First heard in Ultimate Fantasy II, and expanded dozens of the way by numerous composers over the many years, Cottee and Cheung shocked me with a fantastic, delicate, and intelligent association that’s simply as becoming right here as it could have been on Masashi Hamauzu’s Chocobo’s Dungeon organized album.
Subsequent up, Piano Fantasies gives one thing previous and one thing new with “No Guarantees to Hold,” the vocal theme from Ultimate Fantasy VII Rebirth. Whereas this piece does embody references to Aerith’s leitmotif in its unique kind, Cottee leans onerous into “Aerith’s Theme” on this association, using it as bookended intro and outro. For his half, Cheung retains the cantabile strategy from “To Far Away Instances” alive and properly right here. So, if you understand this one, it’s time to sing alongside. This one straddles the fence between a standard live performance piano piece and a typical ballad one may carry out at an aesthetic lounge.
Taking a cue from the Chrono Set off battle medley earlier than it, the final monitor within the Ultimate Fantasy block is just titled “Battle Themes.” Which battle themes, although? I’ve listened intently, anticipating to seek out three or 4 items. Nevertheless, we simply have two items right here: “Decisive Battle” from Ultimate Fantasy VI and “Don’t Be Afraid” from Ultimate Fantasy VIII. I’ve to say, nevertheless, for those who’re going to tug collectively two battle themes from totally different FF entries, I don’t suppose you possibly can do significantly better than these two. Cottee has a robust imaginative and prescient for marrying these two items, particularly in sustaining the identical tempo from one part to the subsequent. He additionally places Cheung’s chops to the check, and Cheung passes with flying colours. You’ll get no complaints from me!
Secret of Mana
Subsequent we’ve my favourite part of Piano Fantasies. Arranger Torsten Rasch has some beautiful preparations of Hiroki Kikuta’s seminal rating from Secret of Mana for us to take pleasure in! The primary two tracks border on obligatory preparations for this title. The opening theme, “Worry of the Heavens,” options good reharmonization and exquisite, cascading lifts. And but, this association pales compared to what’s simply essentially the most spectacular rendition of “Into the Thick of It” I’ve heard thus far. To present you an thought, I might estimate that I’ve heard a superb 20, perhaps 30 preparations of this traditional piece … and sure, that is the one which has actually floored me.
Cheung has an ideal sensibility for rubato on this one. The tempo is simply barely slower than you’d count on. Between that shift and an added emphasis of labor within the decrease vary to flesh out this piece, you’ll be shocked how enigmatic and even unsettling this usually vigorous piece might be. I’m nonetheless in shock. “Into the Thick of It” on Piano Fantasies stands head and shoulders above a lot else within the VGM world. I need to give Rasch and Cheung some type of award for this singular monitor. After all, composer Hiroki Kikuta deserves his personal award for crafting the Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2) OST many years in the past, however that’s an entire different story.
Rasch isn’t executed but, although! As has been the sample on Piano Fantasies, we’ve one other battle medley in “Battlefields.” Nevertheless, this one is totally different in two key methods. First, it options greater than two songs. Second, it’s not a easy transition from one music to the subsequent. The primary portion is the standard boss battle music “Hazard” (generally translated “Disaster”). The raucous introduction that Kikuta crafted for the OST borders on not possible to correctly reproduce on a single instrument, however Cheung will get mighty shut. Subsequent in line is the intensely creepy piece “The Oracle,” which you’ll keep in mind because the penultimate boss struggle towards the Darkish Lich.
The tempo slows, and we get one spherical of the ultimate battle theme, “Meridian Dance.” However right here it’s huge, gradual, stretching Cheung’s attain, with every bombastic hit of the melody suggesting the gravity of this occasion. Rasch then weaves extra of the “Hazard” melody into the finale, beginning with the quick descents, then as soon as once more using the large, gradual chords to emphasise that unbelievable B half melody of “Hazard” that I can’t get out of my head.
As a lot as I cherished this part of Piano Fantasies, I’m tearing my hair out in asking for a full piano assortment of Secret of Mana and/or Trials of Mana. Between these three tracks and what the Sq. Enix Music channel did with “Powell” from Trials of Mana, I’m satisfied there’s a lot extra of Kikuta’s supply materials price arranging.
Kingdom Hearts
If I’ve a favourite part of Piano Fantasies (in Secret of Mana above), I suppose I ought to select a least favourite. And if I had to decide on one, it could be the Kingdom Hearts part. For me, this comes down to trace choice. There are many nice songs from Yoko Shimomura throughout the Kingdom Hearts sequence. And whereas “Dearly Beloved” was an apparent decide, I’m unsure how I really feel concerning the others.
Arranger Michael Fuchs takes some jazzy, reharmonized creative liberties with the opening measures of “Dearly Beloved” earlier than settling into the straightforward, unforgettable melody. I genuinely respect Fuchs attempting some various things to shock the listener. It’s definitely a step up from the 2009 Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts model, a lot as I like Natsumi Kameoka for different preparations.
Our center piece within the KH block is “The Afternoon Streets” from Kingdom Hearts II. On one hand, positive, I’ll take it over the millionth association of “Traverse City.” So far as city themes go, Shimomura did a superb job with the unique piece. I don’t suppose Fuchs flexed as many artistic muscle tissue right here as he did with “Dearly Beloved,” however I’m okay with that. What I respect most about this specific monitor is Cheung’s gentleness with the keys.
Piano Fantasies‘ finale is “Fringe of Existence” from Kingdom Hearts III. I believe this was the strongest alternative among the many KH block’s supply materials. I believe Fuchs additionally brings his A recreation to this association, forcing Cheung to lock his left hand, and generally the thumb and forefinger of his proper hand, right into a percussive sample of arpeggiation and clustering to emulate the drum loops from the OST model. The melody itself is a sixteenth observe blitz, and Cheung retains tempo so properly. I really like the way in which this one turned out. Undoubtedly my favourite of the block. That being mentioned, I want this one had adopted within the footsteps of the opposite blocks’ battle tracks by weaving in some further tracks. I believe one may wed “Fringe of Existence” fairly properly with “Destati,” “Scythe of Petals,” or “Vector to the Heavens.” It’s a missed alternative in my ebook.
Conclusion
I’m glad to report that 2025 has been a unbelievable 12 months for recreation music and piano preparations. As I write this, I’m ready for my copy of Chrono Set off Piano Soundscape Association to reach. It’s onerous to say if Piano Fantasies is my prime piano album this 12 months, as there have been so many nice albums, together with two entries from Benyamin Nuss (NieR and Xenosaga). However I’ve quite a lot of respect for the entire arrangers and pianist Mischa Cheung for making such a robust, cohesive assortment of piano items. I envy my buddies and colleagues in Europe who will probably be attending stay performances of Piano Fantasies in 2026.
In case you’re a fan of “the greats” from Sq. Enix’s recreation music library and desire a rousing rendition of piano preparations, deal with your self with Piano Fantasies – music from Sq. Enix. With a bit of luck, we’ll get a sequel, one with some extra deep cuts from the supply materials!
