Nobuo Uematsu Shares the Challenges and Triumphs of Creating Final Fantasy's Music

Final Fantasy isn't just famous for its captivating stories and stunning visuals but also for its unforgettable music. In a recent interview, composer Nobuo Uematsu shared some fascinating insights into the creation of Final Fantasy's iconic soundtracks.

Nobuo Uematsu owes his role as the composer for the Final Fantasy series to Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of the franchise. Sakaguchi personally vouched for Uematsu, preventing the CEO of Square at the time from choosing other artists like Southern All Stars or Yuming. This endorsement led to a long-standing collaboration that shaped the musical identity of Final Fantasy.

Uematsu revealed that "To Zanarkand," the theme from Final Fantasy X, wasn't originally intended for the game. It was initially composed as a song for a flute recital. Falling behind schedule, Uematsu repurposed the piece and submitted it for Final Fantasy X. The producers instantly recognized its brilliance, cementing its place as an iconic theme in the franchise.

Sometime after, when I was making the score for FFX, I was falling behind all the while the Producers were hounding me. So since that flute piece was unused, I just kinda meekly handed it to them. They listened to it and said “Yes! This is brilliant!”

"One Winged Angel," the iconic theme associated with Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII, posed a significant challenge for Uematsu. He spent weeks immersed in Sephiroth's character, composing multiple musical phrases each day. After careful consideration and piecing together the melodies, Uematsu successfully created a song that perfectly captured the essence of Sephiroth's dark and imposing presence.

Uematsu also shed light on the musical focus for the FFVII Remake series. He explained that "Hollow," featured in the first game, emphasizes Cloud's character, while "No Promises to Keep" from FFVII Rebirth, the second installment, centers around Aerith. The distinct musical styles and themes enrich the storytelling, complementing the journey of these beloved characters.

Thank you, Audrey, for providing the translation!

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