Final Fantasy XI marked a milestone 22 years of service on May 16, 2024. To commemorate, Square Enix published a special feature in the "WE ARE VANA'DIEL" series, showcasing interviews with veteran sound composers Nobuo Uematsu, Kumi Tanioka, and Naoshi Mizuta. These composers, who each contributed to the evolution of FFXI’s music, delved into their creative processes and the distinctive qualities of the game’s soundtrack.
The interview explored FFXI’s "Prelude," a notable piece within the series. Uematsu, discussing his approach, explained his divergence from the series’ traditional "Prelude" arrangement, stating, “Maybe I was just tired of the traditional version?” His inspiration partly stemmed from Hitoshi Sakimoto’s work, which motivated Uematsu to experiment with a new key for FFXI’s "Prelude." The result introduced a chord progression that broke from the standard arrangement, an approach well-received by both his peers and fans.
Kumi Tanioka shared her perspective on the new version, emphasizing the impact of the key change. “The key change helped add emphasis and emotion,” she noted, reflecting on her experiences performing "Prelude" live with The Star Onions band. For Tanioka, "Prelude" holds a deeper meaning beyond its musical elements. She describes it as "a symbol of peace and tranquility," a rare moment of calm within the Final Fantasy series’ often battle-driven themes.
Naoshi Mizuta contributed to the discussion with insights into his personal challenge of rearranging "Prelude" through reharmonization. His approach focuses on maintaining the original melody while refreshing the harmony. "I am making an attempt at reharmonization for the chords without changing a single note," Mizuta explained, aiming to offer a new experience for listeners.
The interview also briefly touched on FFXIV, where composer Masayoshi Soken drew inspiration from "Prelude" in creating "Torn from the Heavens." Soken’s use of a minor arrangement introduced a darker feel, further demonstrating the versatile legacy of "Prelude" in Final Fantasy soundtracks.
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