Mr. Sakimoto

[princesselushia]

:D The only soundtrack I ever owned by Mr. Sakimoto is Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter. Personally, I love this soundtrack because all the songs fit into the video game itself. I just barely defeated that game recently, and I must say that the ending song touch my heart(I forgot the woman who sang that song). So yeah, he's a good composer.

[tjhv]

Breath of Fire V is a good choice for any one who is unfamiliar with Hitoshi SakimotoÆs works (I am sure FFXII will be also). I consider this soundtrack to be such a notable achievement because of the way it appeals to audiences of classical and electronic music at the same time.

The symphonic styling of Mr. Sakimoto combines naturally with atmospheric electronics, heavy bass lines, and complex rhythm, including both traditional concert percussion and sounds of machinery. I imagine Yasunori Mitsuda helped bring these all together, as you would not expect them to blend so well.

[Jormungand]

Outstanding production from Procyon Studio deserves a bit of credit for the quality of this soundtrack. The instruments sound better than a live symphony. I hope that Hitoshi Sakimoto collaborates with Yasunori Mitsuda much more. :D

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but yes, the sound programming is superb. More emphasis went into the electronic and percussive samples, however, and things like the harp and flute sound very synthetic compared to what Square Enix could produce.

Sakimoto and Mitsuda collaborated in the composition of the score to Legaia Duel Saga along with Michiru Oshima, and I highly recommend the album. Sakimoto's sound there is much more acoustic, and he does it with natural grace as if he's written that style all his life. Further proof that orchestral is certainly not his only style (unfortunately many think that), and that he can handle any genre with professionalism and technical fluidity.

Hearing this album a few times made me realize that Mr. Sakimoto is the greatest composer of choir voices I ever heard. He used them occasionally throughout Radiant Silvergun and Vagrant Story; first off during the BOFV opening animation theme is one good example.

Agreed -- I've heard no other video game composer approach the level of sophistication that his choral pieces maintain. He also had a choral track in FFTA, "Crystal", which is just as splendid as "Origin" from BoFV, "Sanctum" from VS, or "The Stone-Like" from Radiant Silvergun among others.

I'm unimaginably excited for Final Fantasy XII...the music of the trailers is absolutely inpsiring. Also, the newest Japanese trailer featuring gameplay is four minutes or so, and in the background there's live music by Sakimoto. Simply incredible. It makes me wonder why in the world his music is not performed live more often. Vagrant Story's "Staff Roll" should have been enough to prompt more efforts for it.