Symphonic Fantasies - Final Boss Medley

UPDATE 2: Fans of Nobuo Uematsu who want to see his music being performed live in a symphony, have a great opportunity coming up this summer!
On July 9, 2011, "Symphonic Odysseys - A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu" will take place in Cologne, Germany. Two concerts are being given, of which the 8pm concert is already sold out. Fortunately, there are still tickets left for the 3pm concert. Missed out on previous Symphonic concerts? A fan of Nobuo Uematsu? Impressed with the quality of these arrangements? Then seize this unique opportunity for a truly amazing experience!
Check out www.symphonicodysseys.com/ for more info, and to order your tickets.
UPDATE: Symphonic Fantasies CD out September 17 2010! It features a recording remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. The CD comes with a beautiful 16p booklet, more than 70 min. of music and can be found for €14.95 at Amazon.de. For more info, check out www.symphonicfantasies.com !
Orchestral Game Music Concert, entitled "Symphonic Fantasies", featuring arrangements of some of Square's greatest hits. Conducted by Arnie Roth, and performed by the WDR Radio Orchestra at Cologne, Germany (2009-09-12). Yoko Shimomura, Hiroki Kikuta, Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu were in attendance.
Awesome medley of final boss themes:
- Destati (Kingdom Hearts), 0:00-1:34
- Meridian Dance (Secret of Mana), 1:35-3:04
- Lavos' theme (Chrono Trigger), 3:05-4:00
- One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy 7), 4:01-8:08
Played as an encore to the concert. Great to finally see Meridian Dance. Awesome percussion by Rony Barrak.

[@docscimanson]

Some say he's still drumming the One Wing Angel solo 12 years later.

[@kevinkhalil9874]

guys this instrument is called " darbouka" or in arabic " derbake " also known as "tabla" the musician is called " rony barrak" this instrument is an oriental one.. very hard to keep it steady with symphonic music great music.!!

[@Guhtere]

The bongo guy is the secret boss of the internet. This is his theme.

[@xjasso00]

He made an appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time if I'm not mistaken. www.zeldainformer.com/2011/09/25/importanceshadow05.jpg

[@zidanesg1]

+Alexx1083 not bongo its a derbuka

[@georgeclooney9164]

jfc what a god

[@danyhimura]

BONGO?!!?!? Wtf?! is a Darbuka/derbake .... is Rony Barrak,from Lebanon.

[@luca3gosti523]

Powerful

[@Frieza102]

I get literal chills down the back of my neck when they suddenly chant "LAVOOOOOOOOOOS". YEAH!

[@ShadowLucario1]

The drummer is wearing very extravagant attire. It looks cool!:) It's also awesome how loud he's playing compared to the rest of the orchestra. I'd have sore hands for weeks! Kudos to him!

[@DamianAhmadi]

I laugh because it's like before Sephiroth and your party get to fight, you get interrupted by the awesome percussionist. It's awesome.

[@Diditallforthexp]

Everyone else was in suits and were calm and chill. Awesome bongo dude was in red tie and sparkly silver vest and totally throwing shit down. Give that man some orchestral groupies!

[@irlWIKKO]

The guy on the drum just kills it and steals the show a bit - absolutely amazing performance. I'd like to have fast hands too :D

[@Alexx1083]

Sephiroth is now synonymous with the bongo.

[@Geth-Who]

It's how he got the wrist strength to use that sword.

[@frederikl.7980]

wtf right ?! :D

[@IlyesBentahar]

+Alexx1083 not bongo its a derbuka

[@Alexx1083]

Ilyes Bentahar Even better!

[@aseed89]

I've never been interested in orchestra but this is amazing, especially the drums guy. He's freaking damn good and he's got a lot of emotions lol

[@lebaneseanimation]

True!

[@ShawnRakar]

I wish this performance can be reuploaded with better quality of sound. This performance is timeless!

[@100xplus]

this Darbuka solo is an absolute masterpiece ! Never heard something like this during a VG symphonic remaster ! :o

[@DuwMinh]

being there live in the audience at the age of 17 was so great. my first symphonic orchestra i've ever went to in my life. ever since then i'm on the look-out for more of these and go out of my way to attend

[@Manlyman47]

yeah the drum guys seems to be enjoying this the most. Love that guy. and wow this is an excellent orchestra. I need to buy this album.

[@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxmarcxx]

*Sephiroth makes his epic entrance into the scene* "You will all die!" Suddenly BONGOS! and Sephiroth starts doing this crazy arabic dance and the world explodes.

[@RyujinOfGilead]

I was also there. It was just breathtaking. I almost had goosebumbs during the entire concert. But I also missed the oppurtunity to get an autogram signed by the guests, especially Uematsu-sama ;_; Hopefully next time!

[@alonsojett]

Man has it really been four years since this awesome performance? Time flies.

[@rachelhendricks6886]

Man has it really been four years since this comment? Time flies.

[@pokemonterrorist]

@@rachelhendricks6886 Man has it really been three years since this comment? Time flies.

[@budakbaongsiah]

How long has it been now? Ten years? Twenty?

[@WizenSlime]

I love how, a minute and a half into the bongo solo, the conductor looks over and gives the drummer a "Dude...wtf?" look.

[@Lenoh]

6:11 *conductor stares in disbelief*

[@fabriziovm]

Lenoh "Cut it off, man... c'mon... it's 'Final Fantasy' no 'Salsa Fantasy' "

[@vatmnhat]

+Fabrizio Vaccaro Mutze if you listen closely and think of the final fantasy bosses soundtracks (or nobuo uematsu music in general), the drum sound is pretty representative of the drama during boss fights. I feel like the music attempts to bring about the playful phase of the fights. Obviously the drum alone cannot tell it all, but the percussionist successfully conveyed one essence of boss fight. You can re-listen to the original soundtracks and filter out the drum parts (if there's any), you'll notice how fantastic that "salsa" part turned out to be.

[@christelleh7288]

When I clicked on this video : LET'S FEEL ALL THE EPICNESS OF THE KINGDOM HEARTS SERIE !! (Sorry for my bad english)

[@LeethLee1]

Such a great start!

[@telasoful]

He hug it, tilt it, punch it, massage it, tickle it. That dude just squeeze out every sound he can produce from his darbuka...

[@davemeech]

What they did with Meridian Dance at @1:48 I REALLY liked.

[@MohammadIkhsan]

Meridian Dance is such an underrated final boss theme

[@Nogahs]

4:13 Holy shit. Bongo Solo? My body was not ready.

[@citizensnips4637]

Maybe i'd like the song One Winged Angel if there was a 3 minute darbuka solo in it.

[@anwarbenkiran3513]

still great either way

[@chvtky]

Wish they do the meridian dance longer,it really invokes a very epic feeling of battle in someone

[@elpianisto26]

yeah that was awesome. he played so emotional. u can se it in is face. he feels the music!

[@DabiidA]

when i heard the drum solo i imagined cloud and sephiroth doing a tap dancing battle

[@tehpillemannerator]

The premiere in cologne was on another level. Been to all the follow up concerts in Germany since but it never reached the point of excitement of that particular evening (don't get me wrong, they we all exceptional)

[@BrownieCin]

The drum instrument that was played is not a bongo. Its called a Doumbek, used a lot in the Middle East. Bellydancers know and love that sound. I squealed like I was at the concert when I heard it. I woulda ran up on that stage to dance had I been there! VGM + Doumbek = dream come true. XD Thanks for the upload!

[@mariomguy]

Hard to believe this was video game music! The tablah drum solo was AMAZING!!

[@Pi55edOffMyNamesGone]

Single-handedly the guy with the drum solo turned the song that both inspired fear and excitement throughout my childhood into... something slightly less than unappealing.

[@thebrownest]

Estuans interis ira vehementi! Estuans interis ira vehementi! Bongo guy! Da da da daaahh! Bongo guy! Da da da daaahh!

[@BritishFoodGuide]

i love the idea that at every performance you can now have a totally outlandish solo during one winged angel. so awesome.

[@LGunhazard]

Destati wasn't Nobou Uematsu, though, I thought. It was Yoko Shimomura.

[@LotusCrane]

And Meridian Dance was Hiroki Kikuta. I guess some people just assume ALL of Square's music was composed by Nobuo Uematsu?

[@RebeccaETripp]

Lavos Theme... so... good...

[@felphero]

Wow, been looking for this video for 4 years now, finally found it!!

[@viet411]

Arnie Roth watched in awe as Rony Barrak played his solo. One amazing drum solo!

[@Skaal_Prime]

OMG They started with Kingdom Hearts :D LOVE it!

[@IgorSeveric]

You can clearly see who lives the music here! Kudos to him...and big thank you!

[@nolituh]

I've seen Rony Barrak playing in Chrono Trigger orchestra, he really shines in the percussion. A great Musician.

[@darkdreamsdontdie7785]

Hispanic Dracula Mr Bean the bongo player has heart.

[@TargeTOrane]

you my friend desire an add in circle awesome comment

[@ffxismokey]

that comment made this even greater than what it already was.

[@MkProductionQ8]

Bryan Castañeda BONGO ? this is Darbuka lol

[@darkdreamsdontdie7785]

MK.PRODUCTIONS Hehe big whoop. Want to fight about it

[@MkProductionQ8]

Bryan Castañeda lol ... Just Google it . and chill . say thank you , and why asking me if i want to fight ?

[@Rubycon20]

Sooo, they set an epileptic on spped and put a drum in his hands...I would never have imagined that the result could be THIS awesome.

[@postalfreeek]

this is truly the most beautiful piece of work I have ever listened to.

[@deus911]

I can't stop listening to it. Such an amazing performance.

[@montyaljuboury5911]

Happy that Sir Arnie Roth appreciates the Middle-eastern Derbooka! :)

[@Dobader]

That dude redefines what can be done with one drum.

[@Forgetthereality]

even by this day and age only noboue uematsu's music can give me goosebumps

[@siuro]

My God, thats impresive when you can steal a show with a little drum

[@MarcusAseth]

this whole 8min segment is just mindblowing... please tell me they recorded this in high quality!

[@necrochill5050]

I bought the digital album and although it's not a studio recording, it holds a purer live audio of the night.

[@MarcusAseth]

@@necrochill5050 where do I find it?

[@budakbaongsiah]

@@MarcusAseth In case you haven't found it yet, Symphonic Fantasies. Not the Tokyo version.

[@BromanderShow]

Bongo guy is the real One Winged Angel

[@BTG514]

At first I was like, bongos, who cares. Then he made me care.

[@herrgrauwolf4862]

Isnt that a djembe?

[@ZettatteZ]

genesis man that's a Daruka

[@MargueriteDabaie]

*darbuka

[@danyhimura]

@@herrgrauwolf4862 no

[@David-R.]

this guy took "Tablah" to the max he's the best "Tablist" i've seen so far

[@Mooglit0]

That's 'Meridian Dance' The final boss theme from Secret of Mana on the SNES.

[@LunaticShapeshifter]

Rony Barrack rocks. No joke, that dude is amazing.

[@Ieglenguyen]

First time I hear a cadenza for drum ;) This is what concerts are for, to make you hear things under a different light. Absolutely brillliant.

[@Sephiroth1984]

The awesome of this concert just about knocked me out.

[@JagaimoLoco]

It's funny. We dig a kind of music that seems to embrace new ideas & melodies that any other genre won't pick up on for... almost 10 years, give or take. It's ahead of the curb by a long shot, and I love that such genuinely amazing music can come from a medium there's such shallow disdain for most of the time.

[@BenjaminGlatt]

The percussionist's level 4 Limit Break: Wicket Drum Solo. Its damage total simply reads "Yes" and every boss ever is defeated instantly. Even bosses in other games.

[@ocean037]

this is amazing!! I really loved the vocal lavo's theme! I think kefka's theme should have been here too

[@Benjaminjoker18]

The drum really bring out the Feel in the entire performance.

[@mouradandaloussi7888]

Bravo rony..!!!!

[@Tacolovercat]

Amazing.

[@aseeldesign]

wonderful to have a change !

[@gimlisam]

Mr. Barrak, thank you for mentioning this video at this year's CWA, and thank you for coming to the CWA year after year, as well!

[@deus911]

All that matters is if Nobuo Uematsu liked it. That was an insane performance. The darbouka gave a wardrums feel to it.

[@cryeal]

Just the beginning is awesome.

[@ozolabst551]

Amazing rony barrak we proud of you 👍

[@Shoinie]

HAHAH you can tell that everyone in the orchestra thinks the bongo solo was freakishly awesome by their smiles afterwards! :D

[@JvdB01]

wow! awesome! especially the tom player.

[@Ainigma]

amazing

[@lestaxe]

me encanta!!!! se escucha genial!!!

[@SweetchrissieInCO]

Incredible orchestral performance.

[@JRPizza]

Lavos' Theme sounds epic in this. I wonder what the lyrics are though. All I can pick out is "Lavos! The Stig! Lavos! Tea rooms!" Can't be right.

[@lemonadelovesick]

best ever boss medley!!

[@DezorianGuy]

Epic, going there on 09.07.2011 in Cologne, will be great.

[@darkariser07]

now this is spine tingling music :D

[@karimmribti5733]

Rony Barrak, you are the best...

[@vilohaddad]

fabulous :)

[@MasterJuan-os3os]

Awesome

[@Mysticomega]

VERY WELL PLAYED! 5 STARS for sure

[@Tobbyfee]

Very good, I like it, the drummer is fanstastik.

[@harrith07]

i loooooove it

[@vinzer72frie]

Whoever had the idea for the bongo in one winged angel is a damn genius!

[@nero91]

oh god the bongo solo! my sides went off into orbit

[@Aikkiang]

Das war die genialste Zugabe die es jemals gegeben hat. Im letzten Teil davor hatten sie One Winged Angel angedeutet und dann ne Überleitung zum Chocobo Theme gebracht. Sowas geniales gabs noch nie.

[@adrianosantos999]

just perfect ,,,,A super mega epic

[@amlecciones]

Nobuo Uematsu. GENIUS.

[@amlecciones]

+Aaron Lecciones What a special night and moment that was, fantastic, amazing.

[@amlecciones]

+Aaron Lecciones The whole orchestra was indeed reinvigorated by that percussionist!

[@AffigesEtwas]

Symphonic Fantasies, Symphonic Legends and in july this year a whole concert of Uematsu´s work called Symphonic Odysseys. They are great the only thing that was arranged badly was the Medroid stuff but the rest is very good.

[@therion35]

BY THE GODS! This orchestra is a gift to art!

[@orpruebas5737]

No puedo creer que la encontré tenia tiempo buscándola

[@Zakeruga55]

I can say it was amazing, and the sound quality can't be compared....No way streaming or CD can make feel the same sensations i felt there..but it reminds me the great feelings!

[@funmaker1013]

I met the bongo "derbakke" or "tabla" guy today his name is Rony Barrak he performed in my school.

[@xxblacktear]

OMG i got major goosebumps when the secret of mana boss music started!!! i neeever expected that, holy moly!!!

[@BudokaiMaster]

BONGOS! Great performance.

[@Murukku47]

Holy mother of god the epic drum solo!

[@Igneeka]

The bongo guy is awesome !

[@ArinJager1]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rony_Barrak

[@Geth-Who]

I love that at the end the conductor's like THIS FUCKIN' GUY, APPLAUD HIM

[@Olivysg]

it's a Djembe.

[@aleksdrummer]

Hexetera It's a Darbuka

[@zidanesg1]

+Alexx1083 not bongo its a derbuka

[@Knicklicht42]

ich hab geflennt!!!!! es war ja sooo genial!!! UEMATSU MEIN HELD!!!!

[@helmut666kohl]

I was there - and it was spectacular! All those high-profile musicians in one spot, and it only costed 15 €!

[@SkinbeatersamCam]

Excellent Darbuka playing!!

[@teikibarcelone]

Geniallllll! Com m'agradat molt !