1. Nobuo Uematsu Japanese Video Game Music Composer

2. Biography Born March 21, 1959 in Kouchi City Born March 21, 1959 in Kouchi City Twelve – teaching himself piano Twelve – teaching himself piano Graduates - Kanagwa University Graduates - Kanagwa University Play keyboard for amateur bands Play keyboard for amateur bands Begin writing music for commercials Begin writing music for commercials

3. Biography 1985 - part-time job for Square-Enix Co. 1985 - part-time job for Square-Enix Co. 1987 Square was going bankrupt 1987 Square was going bankrupt Uematsu writes music for “Final Fantasy” Uematsu writes music for “Final Fantasy” Saved company/saved job Saved company/saved job Uematsu worked for Square to 2004 Uematsu worked for Square to 2004

4. Biography Compose music for square enix (FF 1-11 and other games) Compose music for square enix (FF 1-11 and other games) Composed classical, rock, techno, and pop music Composed classical, rock, techno, and pop music 2003 “The Black Mages” – played final fantasy music hardcore! 2003 “The Black Mages” – played final fantasy music hardcore! 2010 Disbanded – created 3 Albums 2010 Disbanded – created 3 Albums

5. Biography 2004 left Square Enix/created “Smile Please” 2004 left Square Enix/created “Smile Please” Composed music for “Lost Odyssey”, “Blue Dragon”, and “Cry On” Composed music for “Lost Odyssey”, “Blue Dragon”, and “Cry On” Nobody to internationally renouned composer Nobody to internationally renouned composer

6. #1 – “One-Winged Angel” From role-playing game, Final Fantasy VII From role-playing game, Final Fantasy VII Changed the way role-playing games are Changed the way role-playing games are Is the villain theme song Is the villain theme song

7. #2 – “To Zanarkand” From Final Fantasy X From Final Fantasy X The opening scene The opening scene Fan favorite – played across the globe Fan favorite – played across the globe Zanarkand is a city in the game Zanarkand is a city in the game

8. #3 – “Aerith’s Theme” My favorite of Uematsu’s compositions My favorite of Uematsu’s compositions Song played in Final Fantasy VII at huge climax – Death of Aerith Song played in Final Fantasy VII at huge climax – Death of Aerith She is killed by Sephiroth She is killed by Sephiroth

9. #1 – One-winged Angel (0:00-1:10) Dark/scary beginning - use of brass instruments/woodwinds Dark/scary beginning - use of brass instruments/woodwinds Woodwinds first then brass – adds scary Woodwinds first then brass – adds scary Then, climb of octave ladder – cymbals bang Then, climb of octave ladder – cymbals bang

10. #1 – One-Winged Angel (1:10-1:46) Eerie section – then latin chanting Eerie section – then latin chanting Chanting continues, lower then higher Chanting continues, lower then higher Choir sings “ash” emphasize anger Choir sings “ash” emphasize anger Brass, woodwinds, strings rise – create climax Brass, woodwinds, strings rise – create climax

11. #1 – One-Winged Angel (2:50-3:36) Brass and percussion in minor tone Brass and percussion in minor tone Loud snap > Silence > running (flutes/xylophone) Loud snap > Silence > running (flutes/xylophone)

12. #1 – One-Winged Angel (3:36-4:25) Climb by instruments then chanting (lower>higher) Climb by instruments then chanting (lower>higher) Cello two notes rapidly > violin one note Cello two notes rapidly > violin one note Woodwinds climb octaves > choir chants “Sephiroth” Woodwinds climb octaves > choir chants “Sephiroth”

13. #2 – To Zanarkand (0:00-1:04) Beautiful piano melody beings this piece of music, very slow Beautiful piano melody beings this piece of music, very slow Piano plays > Strings join, play melody louder Piano plays > Strings join, play melody louder

14. #2 – To Zanarkand (1:04-2:19) Flute melody, piano and strings harmony Flute melody, piano and strings harmony Strings/brass build up for the chorus Strings/brass build up for the chorus Piano – amazing melody Piano – amazing melody Violins slow/become quieter till silent Violins slow/become quieter till silent

15. #2 – To Zanarkand (2:19-3:13) After silence, harp plays After silence, harp plays 10 seconds > strings join harp 10 seconds > strings join harp Woodwinds/brass then join in Woodwinds/brass then join in Beautiful harmony, melody, and amazing timbre Beautiful harmony, melody, and amazing timbre

16. #2 – To Zanarkand (3:13-4:34) Sad section – begins forte then gets quiet Sad section – begins forte then gets quiet Strings play beautiful melody/harmony Strings play beautiful melody/harmony Following strings, woodwinds similar Following strings, woodwinds similar Brass finish melody and harmony Brass finish melody and harmony Cello goes down octaves, harp goes up in octaves Cello goes down octaves, harp goes up in octaves

17. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (0:00-0:45) Slow melody – beautiful clarinet Slow melody – beautiful clarinet Flutes/strings join melody Flutes/strings join melody The harp then climbs like a ladder The harp then climbs like a ladder

18. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (0:45-2:16) Piano - melody Piano - melody Strings - background music Strings - background music After the piano, flute - melody After the piano, flute - melody Piano/strings – harmony Piano/strings – harmony

19. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (2:16-2:54) Song in forte, piano - melody Song in forte, piano - melody Brass is playing harmony Brass is playing harmony Flutes – beautiful melody, strings - harmony Flutes – beautiful melody, strings - harmony

20. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (2:54-3:50) Flutes play high, strings join in Flutes play high, strings join in Piano/high end xylophone - melody Piano/high end xylophone - melody Strings, trumpet, trombone - harmony Strings, trumpet, trombone - harmony

21. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (3:50-4:30) Trumpet – soft melody Trumpet – soft melody Flutes – melody, tuba rhythm in eighths Flutes – melody, tuba rhythm in eighths Strings – rhythm pizzacato Strings – rhythm pizzacato

22. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (4:30-5:15) Loud with flutes and strings Loud with flutes and strings Cymbals bang each round the melody ends Cymbals bang each round the melody ends Violin/flutes – melody, brass - background Violin/flutes – melody, brass - background Cymbals come back Cymbals come back

23. #3 – Aerith’s Theme (5:15-5:48) Ending – flutes play high, strings - background Ending – flutes play high, strings - background Strings play minor – eerie Strings play minor – eerie Strings solid note – harp climbs ladder Strings solid note – harp climbs ladder

24. References http://www.nobuouematsu.com/bio.html http://www.nobuouematsu.com/bio.html http://www.nobuouematsu.com/bio.html http://www.squareenixmusic.com/compose rs/uematsu/biography.shtml http://www.squareenixmusic.com/compose rs/uematsu/biography.shtml http://www.squareenixmusic.com/compose rs/uematsu/biography.shtml http://www.squareenixmusic.com/compose rs/uematsu/biography.shtml