Customer Reviews

Final Fantasy IX: Piano Collections

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I almost wonder if I've been listening to the same album as 'elwen'.

You're Not Alone was one of the highlights of this album in my opinion. I understand the comments of "sounds like two songs being played at the same time: a simple melody line, and a bunch of staccato notes and chords..." but I thought they added to the musical experience, and that only plays in that manner for the first minute or so, before becoming a much more complicated and sophisticated song. Though it does return to that first section of melody a little later, it doesn't dwell on it before coming the fuller, louder melody that is what sticks in my head when I think of this song.

... Also Vama Alla Flamenco is AKA Chocobo Hot & Cold, and was only played during that mini-game, not during a sword fight.

I loved this album to death. In my opinion it's the very best piano soundtrack Uematsu has written. FFIV & FFVI's piano soundtracks sound very amaturish compared to the compilations included in the piano soundtracks for Final Fantasy 7 & 9.

While Uematsu has yet to write anything to the degree of say, Beethoven's third movement of Moonlight Sonata, this CD contains a number of quite powerful piano arrangements.

Melodies of Life is one such example. It is by far the most beautiful piano song (aside from FF7's Aerith's Theme) Uematsu has released.

Other noteworthy songs on this CD include: Place I'll Return to Someday, Sleepless City Treno, and Loss of Me.

I would recomend this album to anyone who likes listening to piano music, and I can promise you that this music will stick in your head, if not by technical merrit, then certainly on it's beauty.

I have come across final fantasy piano soundtracks just a few years ago and I enjoy them very much. As a piano player, I only used to practice classical music but since I have bought these I have expanded my repertoire. They are very lovely to hear and enjoyable to practice. Each time I play them I develop more and more attachments towards the characters and appreciate the people who made them possible.

Ever since I played Final Fantasy IX, I've wanted to buy a soundtrack of it. I thought of buying the Original Soundtrack, but it cost more than $25, and i didn't have that much money. So I decided on this CD and it was worth it. Most of the songs on this CD are even better than the originals, and I wasn't going to listen to most of the songs on the original so... It's worth every penny.

...can I justify giving this CD four stars instead of five. The problem is that it simply doesn't live up to the previous piano collections like FFVI and FFVIII. And believe me, I know these songs inside and out: I listen to them and then I learn them from the sheet music.

The first problem with these songs is the simplicity. There are a lot more sections when you are just hearing one or two notes played together and rather disjointedly at that. There aren't as many blocked and broken chords that add depth to the songs beyond their melodies. Of course, there are exceptions. Eternal Harvest in particular is complex and even more exciting than the original.

That leads us to the second problem I found in this CD. Usually the piano arrangements of songs are comparable to the original, or they provide some different perspective to the song. In my opinion, the original soundtrack of Final Fantasy IX is one of the best of any video game out there, so I had high expectations for the piano collection as well. Unfortunately, in many cases the original songs are plainly better. Again, there are exceptions. Vamo' Alla Flamenco is amazing at capturing the mood of the lively sword fight to which it was played in the game.

The last complaint I have is that there are so many dischordant and jarring places in the pieces. One song, You're Not Alone, sounds like two songs being played at the same time: a simple melody line, and a bunch of staccato notes and chords that do nothing to add to the music.

All considered, I suppose it's still somewhat unfair for me to rate this CD a four. The key here is relativity. While I would probably recommend this collection more than I might recommend some CDs I would give fives, I would even more highly recommend the previous piano collections from the Final Fantasy series. All the same, if you're looking for the nostalgic, distinctive mood of Final Fantasy IX, this CD still fits the bill.

I love this CD..It's better than FFVIII piano collection. The music expresses more sense of adventurous and give you feeling of the game although it's not an original soundtrack. The CD comes with a sheet music of "melodies of life"..All I can say is, this CD is the one that I can't miss to have it in my collection. It's worth buying!!

Uematsu does it again, and although many feel the FFIX soundtrack wasn't his best work overall, myself included, i still can't help but love this album. The songs come alive throught the wonderfully arranged tracks, and brings back memories to those who sat through the epic game. My personal favorite has to be the Secret Library. Pick this up if you like FF music, or just good piano music in general.

The pricing for this item is insane, especially since it's only 1/3 of the game's music. If you're looking for the battle themes and city music, you may be disappointed as many are absent. There is another 108 track set called piano collections that includes everything on this album as well as the majority of other music. It's also half the price of this. Search around before wasting money.