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Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale :: Review by Depressio

	Album Title:	Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale
	Record Label:	NTT Publishing
	Catalog Number:	PSCN-5004 (1st Edition); NTCP-5004 (Reprint)
	Release Date:	May 25, 1994; October 1, 2004
	Content:	1 CD - 11 Tracks
	Purchase:	Buy at Square Enix Music Online Music Store

Overview

Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale is a wonderful album. It may not top Final Fantasy Symphonic Suite or some of the other earlier albums, but all in all, this album is definitely worth listening to. This album models many different classical composers, yet still retains the charm from the original Final Fantasy VI pieces.

Track-by-Track Reviews

1) Opening Theme ~ Tina

The Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale album starts off with a soft and eerie version of the opening melody of Final Fantasy VI, and then continues on with a version of "Tina." This was a good way to open up the album, as the orchestrations were beautiful. The piece starts off very soft, as the beginning of the album, then there's a gradual crescendo, marking the opening of Final Fantasy VI. The piece then quickly transitions into Tina's theme, which is played by what sounds like a solo recorder accompanied by an orchestra. The piece was beautiful, but it was a little long. It got a little annoying after hearing the same melody for a while, but they did a good job of arranging the melody a little. (8/10)

2) Cefca

Ah yes, everyone's favorite villain finally has an orchestrated theme! Cefca, or Kefka, had a very interesting theme, and the orchestra did a good job of portraying him in a very looney way. The piece begins with a piano solo, starting in a fortissimo dynamic level, and is soon accompanied by a harp glissando and the rest of the orchestra beginning the quick and sharp melody of Kefka's theme. The piece picks up in dynamic level, as it continues on with the melody, and then it also adds a different movement to his theme, which was a little odd. Nonetheless, it did a wonderful job of orchestrating everyone's favorite villain's theme. (9/10)

3) The Mystic Forest

This piece was not my favorite on the album, but it did do a good job of portraying the eerie Phantom Forest. The piece starts off somewhat like Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," with an ominous melody not used in the game. Finally, the piece slowly transitions into the melody of "The Mystic Forest." The melody was done well in this piece, giving it an eerie feeling, yet still sounding beautiful. Though, they could have done a much better job with this piece, or else orchestrated a different piece. (6/10)

4) Gau

Ah yes, they orchestrated the rowdy boy's theme. The orchestrations in this piece were absolutely gorgeous, taking after the style of Vivaldi. The orchestra follows the basic melody of "Gau," until in the middle of the piece, there's an interlude which consists of a minor-key melody, not used in the game, but is still beautiful (and still sounds a lot like something Vivaldi would compose). The only thing that I do not like about this piece is that it does not represent the character Gau very well. It is a gorgeous piece on its own, but it does not represent what it's supposed to represent. (9/10)

5) Milan de Chocobo

Err. this was a rather odd piece. They attempted to orchestrated the classic chocobo theme, but they failed miserably in making it sound good. The classic chocobo medley is scattered throughout this piece, and is accompanied by instruments playing very odd non-melodic things. This is the one track of the CD that I did not like, as it was not very well done. It could have been much better. (4/10)

6) Troops March On

And the album redeems itself after the dire "Milan de Chocobo," with this stunning piece. It starts off with timphani and snare drums, giving the piece a military feel. Finally, the melody booms in, giving you an urgent feel of fear, as, the evil Empire is coming! Oh no! The melody then shifts over into something not used in the game. I was not fond of this part of the piece, as it was unnecessary, and it did not seem to fit with the first half. This would have gotten a perfect score had it not been for that unnecessary movement. (8/10)

7) Kids Run Through the City Corner

This was not one of my favorite pieces, but it was still better than that "Milan de Chocobo" piece! The piece starts off with a very odd and unnecessary violin melody accompanied by a harpsichord, and then finally after a minute or two, shifts over to the classic town theme. This part of the piece was beautiful, as it represented the security of a town, and had absolutely beautiful instrumentals, making it sound slightly baroque. Though, this part of the piece is very short. "Kids Run Through the City Corner" could have been much longer, but they still did a good job with the melody. (7/10)

8) Blackjack

This sounds like lounge music, but then again, the original piece in the game sounds like lounge music. The orchestra does a good job with this piece, making it sound relaxing, yet not so much that it would put you to sleep. The style of the orchestra is also a little less baroque and more modern, giving the piece a definite 20st century feel. The piece was a little dry at times, but it wasn't too dry. (9/10)

9) Relm

The little 10-year-old girl has a beautifully orchestrated theme in this album. The piece starts off very soothing, with what sounds like a clarinet, and a harp, followed by a harpsichord. Just as you think this is going to be a beautifully soothing piece, suddenly you hear. bagpipes?! What the hell?! It would have been a much more beautiful piece if they used something besides the annoying bagpipes. But, during interludes in the piece, the bagpipes stop, and the piece returns to the beautiful thing it once was, representing the charming girl that Relm is. (9/10)

10) Mystery Train

This piece isn't played by an orchestra, but this time by a violin soloist and piano accompaniment. This piece definitely gives off a striking creepiness, and demonstrates the scariness of the Phantom Train in Final Fantasy VI. Then the melody shifts into something more calm, something not used in the game. I was not fond of this part of the piece, as it was not necessary, but overall, it was still a very good and striking piece. (9/10)

11) Aria Di Mezzo Carattere

This is by far one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard. It starts off very soft, and then there's a gradual crescendo, with a harpsichord giving the piece a little more feel. And then, a soprano soloist sings the melody of the piece (much better than 16-bit Celes) in beautiful Italian lyrics, to give it more of an operatic feel. Then, there is an interlude with an absolutely beautiful melody, and then after a minute or two, the soprano soloist picks up where she left off. In this piece, the soprano soloist has an absolutely beautiful voice, and gives a lot of depth to this piece. This is a wonderful conclusion to this great album. (10/10)

Summary

I'd have to say that this album is definitely worth buying, as the orchestra is oustanding, and there is so much feeling within the pieces. This album really brings out the original Final Fantasy VI music. Very few tracks were disappointing. All in all, I found it to be a gorgeous album.