London Philharmonic Releases Gaming's Greatest Tracks

[Karloff]

London Philharmonic Releases Gaming's Greatest Tracks


The Philharmonic's 17-track playlist includes Portal, Skyrim and Arkham City.

Game music is something that strikes a chord with many gamers [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9129-Sing-Sing-Pew-Pew], and if you're one of those, then the London Philharmonic Orchestra has something that may appeal to you: a 17-track album, available through iTunes, that features gaming's greatest hits. It's called The Greatest Video Game Music 2, and the sample in the video is from their Little Big Planet track.

The full playlist includes everything from Batman: Arkham City and Portal to Skyrim. It's due out November 6th, and Why, yes. Yes, there is. [https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/greatest-video-game-music/id569865653]

The first album is modestly priced too, at less than a fiver for the lot, though the exchange rate may inflate that a little bit. Though Game Music 2 is slightly more expensive - six quid, and five fewer tracks - it's still a pretty good bargain.

The London Philharmonic, founded in 1932, is no stranger to video games or to geek culture. If you've heard and enjoyed The Lord of the Rings soundtrack, for one, you know the Philharmonic's work.

Source: VG24/7 [http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/22/london-philharmonic-orchestra-releasing-game-covers-album-full-track-list-here/]



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[DrunkOnEstus]

London Philharmonic orchestrating video game music? Take the hell out of my money. Classical music is incredibly relaxing to me, and an infusion like this would be incredible to grab a good pair of headphones and lie down with. Cool on them for doing this, I can't believe I never heard of the first one...picking that up now.

 

[deathbydeath]

And they still don't have the DX1 theme. Shame on them!

 

[Andy Shandy]

Definitely looking forward to this. Enjoyed the last one, and this one seems to have even more songs that I would enjoy over the previous list.

Also, they've released the Halo Never Forget/Peril as a free download today.

http://www.greatestvideogamemusic.com/#download

 

[omicron1]

Anno 2070's soundtrack is easily worthy of accolades; instead, we get what is more akin to "17 great themes the everyman has probably heard of."
Not saying they're not worthy; it's just that a little variety would be nice.

 

[omicron1]

Anno 2070's soundtrack is easily worthy of accolades; instead, we get what is more akin to "17 great themes the everyman has probably heard of."
Not saying they're not worthy; it's just that a little variety would be nice.

Well I'd be lying if the inclusion of Skyrim didn't make more Dovakeen to get this than including some other game I've never played.

Feast your ears.
Although, I do have to note the inclusion of Advent Rising on compilation one - they are open to including at least some esoteric pieces.

 

[IamLEAM1983]

I'm enjoying the previews on iTunes well enough, but I have to admit that there's a weird disconnect in hearing synth beats in a track performed by the London Philharmonic. I'm happy to see two worlds bridge the gap like this, but I can't help myself but to expect something a little more, well, "classical" than this.

It's nice, but I would've liked to see an entirely acoustic version of Icarus, for instance, or of Arkham City's theme. As is, it feels like it's the London Philharmonic being used by a Hollywood composer for the sake of a movie soundtrack.

 

[octafish]

Incorrect title is incorrect. It can't be "Gaming's Greatest Tracks" without Baba Yetu. I can see why the LPO would be intimidated by it, given it is pretty much choral...but still, not Gaming's Greatest Tracks.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

It's good. I think some of the spirit is missing - I've been to some of the Final Fantasy tour concerts where the orchestras are pretty pumped about what they are doing and have a good idea of their audience and I think that makes a difference in presentation. The playing is spotless but the interpretation is"classical music" rather than "video game music" and I do think there's a subtle difference there that the ear picks up if one is really a big fan of video game music.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

Yay!

I loved the first one they did and I'm sure I will enjoy the hell out of this one.

My ears are in for a treat.

 

[Lancer873]

Still don't know how Shadow of the Colossus's "Revived Powers" isn't on this. I know I say that every time folks do something like this, but seriously, why not?


It's a widely known game, it's absolutely awesome music... what's missing? I'll never understand how that song hasn't become an iconic piece of video game music.

 

[Cartographer]

Any way to get them outside of itunes?

I try to have as little software from apple on my pc as possible, and I flatly refuse to pay them any money for goods or services.

 

[Bvenged]

I've got the first album and it is brilliant! I highly, highly recommend and I'll be getting the second one soon.

The tracks aren't IDENTICAL to the original soundtracks, but vary a little, but where they do differ sounds fantastic.

 

[e033x]

Any way to get them outside of itunes?

I try to have as little software from apple on my pc as possible, and I flatly refuse to pay them any money for goods or services.

Its on spotify, that way you don't have to pay for it, but still requires software.

On the topic of that recording, I'm not a huge fan. While video-game music may not be the pinnacle of orchestral music (sorry, it isn't), the LPO just makes it sound flat and uninspiring for the most part. The Halo piece sounds especially dull, and the original is way better in terms of spirit, and playing the music, rather than the notes. LPO compensates with a better overall sound and clarity, but that doesn't make up for the lack of even a miniscule attempt at giving a crap about the music.

In short, a cheap PR/cash grab by the London Philharmonic. They have become the sellouts of classical orchestras.

/Musicreviewhulkmoment

EDIT: Okay, I'm not saying The London Philharmonic is bad, or trying to reach out to a wider audience is wrong, I just can't take them as serious as other classical orchestras anymore.

Yes I am a classical music nerd.

EDIT 2: I actually thought the first one was the second one, and reviewed that instead, but i think the same is going to apply to the second one.

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

Still don't know how Shadow of the Colossus's "Revived Powers" isn't on this. I know I say that every time folks do something like this, but seriously, why not?


It's a widely known game, it's absolutely awesome music... what's missing? I'll never understand how that song hasn't become an iconic piece of video game music.

Personally I prefer Counterattack, but this is something that always confuses me as well. SotC has some of my favorite music in games I don't understand why it's so seldom included in these things (Thankfully Video Games Lives seems to be the exception to this)

 

[Stopdoor]

I actually don't mind it takes a lot of mainstream game themes; mostly because, unlike Nintendo and other old game themes, you rarely get to hear different takes on things like the Halo theme.

 

[Cheesepower5]

Any way to get them outside of itunes?

I try to have as little software from apple on my pc as possible, and I flatly refuse to pay them any money for goods or services.

Its on spotify, that way you don't have to pay for it, but still requires software.

On the topic of that recording, I'm not a huge fan. While video-game music may not be the pinnacle of orchestral music (sorry, it isn't), the LPO just makes it sound flat and uninspiring for the most part. The Halo piece sounds especially dull, and the original is way better in terms of spirit, and playing the music, rather than the notes. LPO compensates with a better overall sound and clarity, but that doesn't make up for the lack of even a miniscule attempt at giving a crap about the music.

In short, a cheap PR/cash grab by the London Philharmonic. They have become the sellouts of classical orchestras.

/Musicreviewhulkmoment

EDIT: Okay, I'm not saying The London Philharmonic is bad, or trying to reach out to a wider audience is wrong, I just can't take them as serious as other classical orchestras anymore.

Yes I am a classical music nerd.

EDIT 2: I actually thought the first one was the second one, and reviewed that instead, but i think the same is going to apply to the second one.

LPO does have some history with game music, they orchestrate the scores to each Dragon Quest game. It sort of makes sense that they do this.

 

[dyre]

Any way to get them outside of itunes?

I try to have as little software from apple on my pc as possible, and I flatly refuse to pay them any money for goods or services.

Its on spotify, that way you don't have to pay for it, but still requires software.

On the topic of that recording, I'm not a huge fan. While video-game music may not be the pinnacle of orchestral music (sorry, it isn't), the LPO just makes it sound flat and uninspiring for the most part. The Halo piece sounds especially dull, and the original is way better in terms of spirit, and playing the music, rather than the notes. LPO compensates with a better overall sound and clarity, but that doesn't make up for the lack of even a miniscule attempt at giving a crap about the music.

In short, a cheap PR/cash grab by the London Philharmonic. They have become the sellouts of classical orchestras.

/Musicreviewhulkmoment

EDIT: Okay, I'm not saying The London Philharmonic is bad, or trying to reach out to a wider audience is wrong, I just can't take them as serious as other classical orchestras anymore.

Yes I am a classical music nerd.

EDIT 2: I actually thought the first one was the second one, and reviewed that instead, but i think the same is going to apply to the second one.

That's pretty harsh, lol. Classical music orchestras just aren't financially viable on their own merits these days. My dad plays for the state orchestra here, and he moans about it all the time. IIRC he also doesn't think that highly of LPO. Then again, classical musicians are all snobs, so take it with a grain of salt >_>