Motoi Sakuraba
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2010) |
 | This article possibly contains original research. (May 2010) |
Motoi Sakuraba | |
|---|---|
| Motoi Sakuraba speaking at the Trusty Bell press conference. Motoi Sakuraba speaking at the Trusty Bell press conference. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 5, 1965 Akita Prefecture, Japan |
| Genres | Video game music, Progressive Rock, New Age, Baroque |
| Occupation(s) | Music composer |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard, Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Mellotron, Drum kit, Ocarina, Harp |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | TEAM Entertainment Square Enix Namco Bandai Games Konami Digital Entertainment DigiCube |
Motoi Sakuraba (桜庭 統, Sakuraba Motoi, born August 5, 1965) is a Japanese composer of video games, anime series, and television dramas as well as independent progressive rock albums.[1]
Biography
Motoi Sakuraba was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan. He is married to Yuko Sakuraba and has a daughter, Mio Sakuraba. Sakuraba broke into the music scene as composer and keyboard player of the progressive rock band Deja Vu, which released an album, "Baroque in the Future", in 1988. The band later disbanded, and Sakuraba went on to release a solo progressive rock album, "Gikyoku Onsou", in 1990. During his work as video game composer he continued to produce heavily extended arrangements of his compositions.
In late 1989, Sakuraba began work as main composer for Wolf Team, a subsidiary of Telenet Japan. While this team eventually splintered into several others, the professional friendships formed here have resulted in a great demand for Sakuraba's composing abilities, as seen in the following:
- In 1994, former Wolf Team director and composer Masaaki Uno started working at Camelot Software Planning as coordinator and sound director, developing games for Sony, Sega and Nintendo. Sakuraba was called upon as a composer for various Camelot games, including the Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Golden Sun series.
- In 1995, Wolf Team developed the breakthrough game Tales of Phantasia for Namco. This and other games in the Tales series primarily feature Sakuraba and fellow Wolf Team composer Shinji Tamura as composers (the exception so far has been Tales of Legendia, composed by Go Shiina). Eventually the remnants of Wolfteam morphed into the Namco Telenet joint subsidiary Namco Tales Studio in 2003.
- Also in 1995, former Wolf Team director and producer Jun Asanuma, as well as Tales of Phantasia writer and programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda, founded tri-Ace with financial backing from Enix. The Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile games have been their keystone productions. Again, Sakuraba has been the composer for all their games, with the exception of the Noriyuki Iwadare-scored Radiata Stories (which included arrangements of a few choice Sakuraba tracks).
- In 1999, long-time Sakuraba sound designer and programmer Hiroya Hatsushiba, a former member of Wolf Team and tri-Ace, founded tri-Crescendo. While initially continuing to contribute sound work to tri-Ace games, tri-Crescendo began game development in 2001. Together with Monolith Soft, tri-Crescendo started working on Baten Kaitos; Namco provided the financial backing. Hatsushiba, as director and main programmer of the project, again called upon Sakuraba's composing services. This has extended to the sequel (Baten Kaitos Origins) and Eternal Sonata.
- In 2007, Sakuraba was selected to join a long list of video-game composers to contribute music to Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He was selected to arrange the famous "Menu Theme" from the game's predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee. He also arranged "Gourmet Race" from Kirby Super Star, "Jungle Level Ver.2" from Donkey Kong Country, "Mario Tennis / Mario Golf" from Mario Tennis / Mario Golf, "Victory Road" from Pokémon Ruby / Pokémon Sapphire, "Airship Theme" from Super Mario Bros. 3, the "Battlefield Theme" and "Final Destination". In addition, the song "Battle Scene / Final Boss (Golden Sun)" was based on his music from Golden Sun: The Lost Age.
In addition to all this, Sakuraba is regularly contracted for composing work in other media through his own TEAM Entertainment, a company founded in 1999 to promote and license the work of artists.
Live performances
During July 2003, Sakuraba held a live concert in Tokyo, Japan. He performed progressive rock interpretations of music from the PlayStation games Star Ocean: The Second Story and Valkyrie Profile. His bandmates for this concert were bassist Atsushi Hasegawa (a member of the band Gerard) and drummer Toshihiko Nakamura. As noted, this concert was released on DVD and CD; many Sakuraba fans worldwide were delighted by the news that the DVD was region-free.
At the same time as they were rehearsing for the concert, Hasegawa and Nakamura assisted in recording new material for the Director's Cut of Star Ocean: Till the End of Time.
The following year, the trio performed another concert. The venue was smaller, but included music from Baten Kaitos and a couple of new, non-game-related pieces. Unfortunately, this concert was not officially recorded.
However, in 2006, a new concert was given in celebration of tri-Ace's new Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria title. This concert has been released on CD.
On September 17 and September 18, 2011 at Club Citta in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Sakuraba and his band joined up with the Earthbound Papas, led by famous video game composer Nobuo Uematsu, to perform at Fantasy Rock Fest 2011. This event featured video game music performance along with new progressive rock pieces from both composers. The first six songs that Sakuraba and his band played are confirmed to be new pieces and were sold at the event as a preview CD for his then upcoming solo album After all... which was officially released by Strange Days Records on October 19, 2011. It is unknown, however, whether or not there is a recording of these performances.
Musical style
Motoi Sakuraba takes the baroque and melodic Japanese progressive rock of the 1980s and expands it with his own trademark complex rhythms, emotional flutes, use of male choir and heavy reverb. The lighter side of his style is a crossover between symphonic progressive rock, cinematic orchestra and new age. Sakuraba is also known for introducing many jazz-like improvisations to his music style. In recent years he has made a serious effort toward expanding his style even further.
Discography
Albums
The following albums feature work by Motoi Sakuraba:
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Progressive Battle 1988 (Dèja Vu, live compilation) | 1988 |
| Baroque in the Future (Dèja Vu) | 1988 |
| Pazzo Fanfano di Musica (progressive rock compilation; various artists) | 1988 |
| Arcus II: Silent Symphony | 1989 |
| King's Boards (progressive rock compilation; various artists) | 1990 |
| FZ Series "AXIS" | 1990 |
| Maneuver Cepter Granada | 1990 |
| Zan Kagerou no Toki | 1990 |
| Gikyoku Onsou (solo work) | 1991 |
| Beyond the Beyond Original Game Soundtrack | 1996 |
| @Midi's Summer (as a guest) | 1996 |
| Star Ocean Perfect Sound Collection | 1996 |
| Shining the Holy Ark Original Soundtrack | 1996 |
| Cyber Bi-Shoujo Telomere Original Soundtrack | 1998 |
| @Midi's Dance (as a guest) | 1998 |
| Star Ocean The Second Story Original Soundtrack | 1998 |
| Star Ocean The Second Story Arrange Album | 1998 |
| Force of Light | 1998 |
| Shining Force III Original Soundtrack | 1998 |
| Tales of Phantasia Original Soundtrack Complete Version | 1999 |
| @Midi's Battle (as a guest) | 1999 |
| Vanny Knights Original Soundtrack | 1999 |
| Valkyrie Profile Original Soundtrack | 2000 |
| Valkyrie Profile Arrange Album | 2000 |
| Tales of Destiny Soundtrack | 2000 |
| Valkyrie Profile Voice Mix Arrange | 2000 |
| Star Ocean The Second Story Fantasy Megamix (arranged by Yoshihiro Ike) | 2000 |
| Genso-maden Saiyuki Original Soundtrack Volume 1 | 2000 |
| Mario Tennis 64 Original Soundtrack | 2000 |
| @Midi's Freedom (as a guest) | 2000 |
| Melody of Legend: Chapter of Dream (arrange compilation; one track featured) | 2001 |
| Melody of Legend: Chapter of Love (arrange compilation; one track featured) | 2001 |
| Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children Game Music Arrange Tracks | 2001 |
| Genso-maden Saiyuki Original Soundtrack Volume 2 | 2001 |
| Tales of Eternia Original Soundtrack | 2001 |
| Tales of Eternia Remaster Audio | 2001 |
| Star Ocean EX Original Soundtrack Volume 1 | 2001 |
| Star Ocean: Blue Sphere Arrange & Sound Trax | 2001 |
| Star Ocean EX Original Soundtrack Volume 2 | 2001 |
| Tales of Destiny 2 Original Soundtrack | 2002 |
| Weiß Kreuz Glühen Dramatic Soundtrack 1 | 2003 |
| Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Original Soundtrack Vol.1 | 2003 |
| Weiß Kreuz Glühen Dramatic Soundtrack 2 | 2003 |
| Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Original Soundtrack Vol.2 | 2003 |
| Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Arrange Album | 2003 |
| Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Voice Mix Arrange | 2003 |
| Star Ocean & Valkyrie Profile Soundtrack the Best | 2003 |
| Pluster World Original Soundtrack | 2003 |
| Tales of Symphonia Original Soundtrack | 2003 |
| Motoi Sakuraba Live Concert "Star Ocean & Valkyrie Profile" (CD & DVD) | 2003 |
| Baten Kaitos ~Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean~ Original Soundtrack | 2003 |
| Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Director's Cut Original Soundtrack | 2004 |
| Famicom 20th Anniversary Arrange Sound Tracks (arranged one track) | 2004 |
| Star Ocean Soundtrack | 2004 |
| Phantasy Star Online EPISODE I & II Premium Arrange (arranged one track) | 2004 |
| Dark Chronicle Premium Arrange (arranged one track) | 2004 |
| Pluster World Original Soundtrack 2 | 2004 |
| Pluster World Original Soundtrack 3 | 2004 |
| Mario Sports CD ~ Mario Tennis GC & Mario Golf Family Tour The Best | 2004 |
| Star Ocean & Valkyrie Profile Arrange The Best Plus | 2004 |
| Tales of Rebirth Original Soundtrack | 2005 |
| Radiata Stories Original Soundtrack (features three arrangements of Star Ocean pieces) | 2005 |
| Duel Masters ~Birth of Super Dragon~ Original Soundtrack | 2005 |
| Rogue Galaxy Premium Arrange (arranged one track) | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile -Lenneth- Original Soundtrack (reprint of 2000 release) | 2006 |
| Tales of the Abyss Original Soundtrack | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile -Lenneth- Arrange Album (reprint of 2000 release) | 2006 |
| Baten Kaitos II Original Soundtrack | 2006 |
| FM Sound Module Maniax (composed one track) | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile 2 -Silmeria- Original Soundtrack Vol.1 | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile 2 -Silmeria- Original Soundtrack Vol.2 | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile 2 -Silmeria- Voice Mix Album | 2006 |
| Valkyrie Profile 2 -Silmeria- Arrange Album | 2006 |
| Motoi Sakuraba Live 2006: Valkyrie Profile 2 | 2006 |
| Tenshou Gakuen Gekkouroku Original Soundtrack | 2006 |
| Tales of the Tempest Original Soundtrack | 2007 |
| Trusty Bell ~Chopin's Dream~ Original Score | 2007 |
| Tales of Destiny Original Soundtrack (PS2 Version) | 2007 |
| Forest of Glass (solo album) | 2008 |
| Star Ocean: The First Departure Original Soundtrack | 2008 |
| Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World Original Soundtrack | 2008 |
| Tales of Vesperia Original Soundtrack | 2008 |
| Tales Of Series Battle Arrange Tracks | 2008 |
| Tales Of Series Piano Arrange Tracks | 2008 |
| Infinite Undiscovery Original Soundtrack | 2008 |
| Valkyrie Profile -Covenant of the Plume- Arrange Album | 2008 |
| Valkyrie Profile -Covenant of the Plume- Original Sound Track | 2008 |
| Tales of Hearts Original Soundtrack | 2008 |
| Tales of Hearts CG Movie Edition Visual & Original Soundtrack DVD | 2008 |
| Message (composed one track) | 2008 |
| Star Ocean: The Last Hope Original Soundtrack | 2009 |
| Tales of the Abyss ''The Animation'' Original Sound Track | 2009 |
| Star Ocean: The Last Hope Arrange Soundtrack | 2009 |
| Valhalla Knights -Eldar Saga- Original Soundtrack | 2009 |
| Tales of VS. Original Soundtrack | 2009 |
| Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 Original Soundtrack | 2009 |
| Tales of Graces Original Soundtrack | 2010 |
| Resonance of Fate Original Soundtrack | 2010 |
| Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X Original Soundtrack | 2010 |
| Golden Sun: Dark Dawn Special Soundtrack | 2010 |
| Otomedius Original Soundtrack | 2011 |
| Tales of Xillia Original Soundtrack | 2011 |
| Dark Souls Original Soundtrack | 2011 |
| GeOnDan Super Rare Trax: The LAND of RISING SUN (composed one track) | 2011 |
| After all... (solo album) | 2011 |
| Tales Of Series Battle Arrange Tracks 2 | 2011 |
| Beyond the Labyrinth Original Soundtrack | 2012 |
Games
- For Wolf Team (subsidiary of Telenet)
- Tales of Phantasia (published by Namco)
- Tales of Destiny (published by Namco)
- Tales of Eternia (published by Namco)
- Tales of Destiny 2 (published by Namco)
- Arcus Odyssey
- Arcus Spirits (published by Sammy)
- Arcus I-II-III
- Arcus II: Silent Symphony
- Arcus 3
- Earnest Evans
- Anetto Futatabi
- El Viento
- Maneuver Cepter Granada
- Goh
- Goh 2
- Zan II Spirits
- Zan III Spirits
- Zan: Yasha Enbukyoku
- Zan: Kagerou no Toki
- Zan: Youen no Jidai (published by Taito)
- Zan Gear
- Fhey Area: Century of the Gods
- Sol Feace (Sol Deace in America)
- Devastator
- Final Zone Senki: AXIS
- Hiouden
- Hiouden 2
- Cybernetic Empire
- D - European Mirage
- Niko²
- For Telenet
- Ace wo Nerae!
- Cosmic Fantasy 4
- Parlor Parlor Series
- Tenshi no Uta: Shiroki Tsubasa no Inori (with "Hassy")
- For Namco Tales Studio (subsidiary of Namco and Telenet)
- Tales of Symphonia
- Tales of Rebirth
- Tales of the Abyss
- Tales of the Tempest (co-developed with Dimps)
- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
- Tales of Vesperia
- Tales of Hearts
- Tales of Graces
- Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X
- Tales of Xillia
- For Camelot Software Planning
- Golden Sun (published by Nintendo)
- Golden Sun: The Lost Age (published by Nintendo)
- Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (published by Nintendo)
- Shining the Holy Ark (published by Sega)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 1 (published by Sega)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 2 (published by Sega)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 3 (published by Sega)
- Beyond the Beyond (published by Sony)
- Minna no Golf (aka Hot Shots Golf, Everybody's Golf) (published by Sony)
- Mario Golf N64/GBC (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Tennis N64/GBC (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Golf Advance Tour (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Power Tennis (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Tennis: Power Tour (published by Nintendo)
- Mario Tennis Open (published by Nintendo)
- For tri-Ace
- Star Ocean (published by Enix)
- Star Ocean: The Second Story (published by Enix)
- Star Ocean: Blue Sphere (published by Enix)
- Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (published by Enix)
- Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (originally published by Enix, rereleased on PSP by Square Enix)
- Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (published by Square Enix)
- Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (published by Square Enix)
- Infinite Undiscovery (published by Square Enix)
- Star Ocean: The Last Hope (published by Square Enix)
- Resonance of Fate (published by Sega)
- Beyond the Labyrinth
- For tri-Crescendo
- Baten Kaitos (published by Namco)
- Baten Kaitos Origins (published by Nintendo)
- Eternal Sonata, aka Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream (published by Namco)
- For KidsStudio Games
- Duel Masters (published by KidsStudio)
- For Nintendo
- For Success
- For Konami
- For From Software
Anime
- Gensomaden Saiyuki (TV Tokyo)
- Star Ocean EX (TV Tokyo)
- Atashinchi (TV Asahi)
- Weiß Kreuz Glühen (Kids Station)
- Boukenyuki Pluster World (TV Tokyo)
- Tales of the Abyss (MBS)
- Umigame to Shonen (TV Asahi)
Television dramas
- TV Asahi Weekend Drama Series
- Cyber Bi-Shoujo Telomere
- Vanny Knights
Movies
- Blue Remains (CG Movie)