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|Origin=[[Hino, Tokyo|Hino]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
|Origin=[[Hino, Tokyo|Hino]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
|Instrument=[[Piano]], [[Violin]]
|Instrument=[[Piano]], [[Violin]]
|Genre=[[Electronic music|Electronic]] ([[chiptune]], [[Electronic dance music|dance]], [[House music|house]], [[techno]], [[Video game music|video game]]), [[Hip hop music|Hip‑hop]], [[Jazz]], [[Orchestra]]l ([[Classical music|classical]]), [[Rock music|Rock]] ([[Electronic rock|synth rock]])
|Genre=
|Occupation=[[Composer]], [[programmer]]
|Occupation=[[Composer]], [[programmer]]
|Years_active=
|Years_active=
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}}
}}
{{Copy edit|date=November 2010}}
{{Copy edit|date=November 2010}}
{{nihongo|'''Yuzo Koshiro'''|古代 祐三|Koshiro Yūzō|born December 12, 1967 in [[Hino, Tokyo]]}} is a Japanese [[video game music]] composer. He is regarded as one of the most influential innovators in [[chiptune]] music and video game [[sound design]]. He has produced music in various genres, such as [[electronic music]] (including [[Electronic dance music|dance]], [[House music|house]], and [[techno]]), [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[jazz]], [[Classical music|classical]]/[[orchestra]]l, and [[Electronic rock|synth rock]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Yuzo Koshiro|date=February 2011|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|author=Chris Greening & Don Kotowski|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/yuzokoshiro.shtml|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref>
{{nihongo|'''Yuzo Koshiro'''|古代 祐三|Koshiro Yūzō|born December 12, 1967 in [[Hino, Tokyo]]}} is a Japanese [[video game music]] composer.


== Career ==
== Career ==
Koshiro's first composing job was with [[Nihon Falcom]] in 1986, where he contributed to the soundtracks of ''[[Xanadu Scenario II]]'' and ''[[Romancia]]''. However, his most well-known Falcom works are his contributions to ''[[Sorcerian]]'', ''[[Ys I]]'', and ''[[Ys II]]''. After ''Ys II'', Koshiro left Falcom.
Koshiro's first composing job was with [[Nihon Falcom]] in 1986, where he contributed to the soundtracks of the ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'' [[action role-playing game]]s ''[[Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu|Xanadu Scenario II]]'' and ''[[Romancia]]''. However, his most well-known Falcom works are his soundtracks for ''[[Sorcerian]]'' and the early ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]'' games, ''[[Ys I]]'' and ''[[Ys II]]''. After ''Ys II'', Koshiro left Falcom. All of these soundtracks were produced using the [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM synthesis]] [[sound chip]] of the [[NEC PC-8801]]. Despite later advances in audio technology, Koshiro would continue to use older PC-8801 hardware to produce many of his later video game soundtracks, including the ''Streets of Rage'' and ''Etrian Odyssey'' series.<ref name="hg101_retro">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/JPNcomputers/Japanesecomputers.htm|title=Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier|author=John Szczepaniak|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=2011-03-29}} Reprinted from {{citation|title=[[Retro Gamer]]''|issue=67|year=2009}}</ref>


Following his separation with Falcom, Koshiro became a freelancer, composing music for many other companies. Most notable among these were [[Sega]], where he composed music for ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'' and the ''[[Streets of Rage (series)|Streets of Rage]]'' series, as well as [[Quintet (developer)|Quintet]], where he composed the soundtracks to ''[[ActRaiser]]'' and ''[[ActRaiser 2]]''.
Following his separation with Falcom, Koshiro became a freelancer, composing music for many other companies. Most notable among these were [[Sega]], where he composed music for ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'' and the ''Streets of Rage'' series, as well as [[Quintet (developer)|Quintet]], where he composed the soundtracks to ''[[ActRaiser]]'' and ''[[ActRaiser 2]]''. He also composed music for lesser known video games such as ''[[Misty Blue (video game)|Misty Blue]]'' and ''[[Quest Corporation|The Scheme]]'' on the PC-8801.<ref name="hg101_retro"/>


In 1990, Koshiro helped found [[Ancient (company)|Ancient Corp.]], which has contributed to the development of a number of games, such as ''[[Beyond Oasis]]''. The company was also founded by his mother, Tomo Koshiro, while his sister Ayano Koshiro works at the company as an art/character/graphic designer and was also the art designer for the ''ActRaiser'' games.<ref>{{cite web|title=TNL Developer Spotlight: Ancient|publisher=[[The Next Level]]|url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/developers/ancient/history.shtml|date=03/11/2003|accessdate=2011-05-12}}</ref>
In 1990, Koshiro helped found [[Ancient (company)|Ancient Corp.]], which has contributed to the development of a number of games, such as ''[[Beyond Oasis]]''. The company was also founded by his mother, Tomo Koshiro, while his sister Ayano Koshiro works at the company as an art/character/graphic designer and was also the art designer for the ''ActRaiser'' games.<ref>{{cite web|title=TNL Developer Spotlight: Ancient|publisher=[[The Next Level]]|url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/developers/ancient/history.shtml|date=03/11/2003|accessdate=2011-05-12}}</ref> His sister Ayano has designed characters and graphics for several games Koshiro has worked on, including the ''Streets of Rage'' (''Bare Knuckle'' in Japan) series, ''Ys'' and ''ActRaiser''.


While working with Ancient, he composed the soundtrack for the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|8-bit version of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'']] in 1991. He adapted several pieces of music from the original [[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|16-bit version]], while the rest of the soundtrack consisted of his own original music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Yuzo Koshiro|date=February 2011|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|author=Chris Greening & Don Kotowski|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/yuzokoshiro.shtml|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref> One of his original pieces, the "[[Bridge Zone]]" theme, was later [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] in [[Janet Jackson]]'s [[List of best-selling singles worldwide|best-selling single]] "[[Together Again (Janet Jackson song)|Together Again]]" (1997).<ref>{{cite web|title=Yuzo Koshiro (Sonic the Hedgehog)|work=samplehappy.com|url=http://samplehappy.com/artist/index.php?aId=4696|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref> The "Bridge Zone" theme was also later sampled in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', for the [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] theme song, "Believe in Myself" by Karen Brake.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karen Brake: Believe in Myself|publisher=[[WhoSampled]]|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/view/15180/Karen%20Brake-Believe%20in%20Myself_Masato%20Nakamura-Bridge%20Zone/|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref> Another one of Koshiro's original pieces for the soundtrack, "Jungle Zone", was later sampled in the [[Australia]]n hit single "Accidently Kelly Street" by [[Frente!]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Music Box: Hey, That Sounds Familiar|author=Mr Toffee|date=November 22, 2010|page=2|work=GameAxis Online|publisher=[[Singapore Press Holdings]]|url=http://gameaxis.com/music-box-hey-that-sounds-familiar/2/|accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref>
His latest work includes music for the acclaimed games ''[[Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune]]'', ''[[Etrian Odyssey 3]]'', and [[7th Dragon]].


His soundtracks for the ''[[Streets of Rage (series)|Streets of Rage]]'' series (known as ''Bare Knuckle'' in Japan) from 1991 to 1993 were composed using then outdated PC-8801 hardware alongside his own original [[programming language]]. According to Koshiro: "For ''Bare Knuckle'' I used the PC88 and an original programming language I developed myself. The original was called MML, Music Macro Language. It's based on NEC's [[BASIC]] program, but I modified it heavily. It was more a BASIC-style language at first, but I modified it to be something more like [[Assembly language|Assembly]]. I called it ‘Music Love'. I used it for all the ''Bare Knuckle'' Games."<ref name="hg101_retro"/> In 1994, he composed a famous soundtrack for the [[Sega CD]] version of the [[role-playing video game]] ''[[Eye of the Beholder (video game)|Eye of the Beholder]]''.<ref>{{cite web
He also composed the main theme of the French TV channel ''Nolife''.<ref>[http://www.vgmdb.net/db/albums.php?id=6024 ''Nolife TV Theme'', released on the album ''Tamiuta'']</ref>
| first=Matt | last=Barton | date=23 February 2007| work=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games| title=Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_06.shtml| publisher=[[Gamasutra]] | accessdate=2009-03-26 }}</ref>


He also composed the main theme of the French TV channel ''Nolife''.<ref>[http://www.vgmdb.net/db/albums.php?id=6024 ''Nolife TV Theme'', released on the album ''Tamiuta'']</ref> He also composed the soundtrack for Sega's ''[[Shenmue]]'' alongside [[Takenobu Mitsuyoshi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview With Shenmue's Composer|publisher=[[RPGamer]]|author=Andrew Long|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2001/012301d.html|accessdate=2011-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TNL Developer Spotlight: Ancient|publisher=[[The Next Level]]|url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/developers/ancient/history.shtml|date=03/11/2003|accessdate=2011-05-12}}</ref> Koshiro's latest work includes music for acclaimed video games such as the ''[[Etrian Odyssey]]'' series,<ref name="hg101_retro"/> ''[[Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune]]'', and ''[[7th Dragon]]''.
His sister [[Ayano Koshiro|Ayano]] has designed characters and graphics for several games Koshiro has worked on, including the ''Streets of Rage'' (''Bare Knuckle'' in Japan) series, ''Ys'' and ''ActRaiser''.


== Concert performances ==
== Concert performances ==
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== Video games ==
== Video games ==
*''[[Xanadu Scenario II]]'' ([[PC-88]], [[PC-98]])
*''[[Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu|Xanadu Scenario II]]'' ([[PC-88]], [[PC-98]])
*''[[Ys I|Ys]]'' (PC-88, PC-98)
*''[[Ys I|Ys]]'' (PC-88, PC-98)
*''[[Ys II]]'' (PC-88, PC-98)
*''[[Ys II]]'' (PC-88, PC-98)
Line 56: Line 57:
*''[[Algarna]]'' ([[Sharp X1]])
*''[[Algarna]]'' ([[Sharp X1]])
*''[[Bosconian]]'' ([[Sharp X68000]])
*''[[Bosconian]]'' ([[Sharp X68000]])
*''[[The Scheme]]'' (PC-88)
*''[[Quest Corporation|The Scheme]]'' (PC-88)
*''[[Misty Blue (video game)|Misty Blue]]'' (PC-88)
*''[[Misty Blue (video game)|Misty Blue]]'' (PC-88)
*''[[Star Wars - Attack of the Death Star]]'' (X68000 arrangements)
*''[[Star Wars - Attack of the Death Star]]'' (X68000 arrangements)

Revision as of 04:49, 18 July 2011

Yuzo Koshiro

Yuzo Koshiro (古代 祐三, Koshiro Yūzō, born December 12, 1967 in Hino, Tokyo) is a Japanese video game music composer. He is regarded as one of the most influential innovators in chiptune music and video game sound design. He has produced music in various genres, such as electronic music (including dance, house, and techno), hip hop, jazz, classical/orchestral, and synth rock.[1]

Career

Koshiro's first composing job was with Nihon Falcom in 1986, where he contributed to the soundtracks of the Dragon Slayer action role-playing games Xanadu Scenario II and Romancia. However, his most well-known Falcom works are his soundtracks for Sorcerian and the early Ys games, Ys I and Ys II. After Ys II, Koshiro left Falcom. All of these soundtracks were produced using the FM synthesis sound chip of the NEC PC-8801. Despite later advances in audio technology, Koshiro would continue to use older PC-8801 hardware to produce many of his later video game soundtracks, including the Streets of Rage and Etrian Odyssey series.[2]

Following his separation with Falcom, Koshiro became a freelancer, composing music for many other companies. Most notable among these were Sega, where he composed music for The Revenge of Shinobi and the Streets of Rage series, as well as Quintet, where he composed the soundtracks to ActRaiser and ActRaiser 2. He also composed music for lesser known video games such as Misty Blue and The Scheme on the PC-8801.[2]

In 1990, Koshiro helped found Ancient Corp., which has contributed to the development of a number of games, such as Beyond Oasis. The company was also founded by his mother, Tomo Koshiro, while his sister Ayano Koshiro works at the company as an art/character/graphic designer and was also the art designer for the ActRaiser games.[3] His sister Ayano has designed characters and graphics for several games Koshiro has worked on, including the Streets of Rage (Bare Knuckle in Japan) series, Ys and ActRaiser.

While working with Ancient, he composed the soundtrack for the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991. He adapted several pieces of music from the original 16-bit version, while the rest of the soundtrack consisted of his own original music.[4] One of his original pieces, the "Bridge Zone" theme, was later sampled in Janet Jackson's best-selling single "Together Again" (1997).[5] The "Bridge Zone" theme was also later sampled in Sonic Adventure, for the Miles "Tails" Prower theme song, "Believe in Myself" by Karen Brake.[6] Another one of Koshiro's original pieces for the soundtrack, "Jungle Zone", was later sampled in the Australian hit single "Accidently Kelly Street" by Frente! in 1992.[7]

His soundtracks for the Streets of Rage series (known as Bare Knuckle in Japan) from 1991 to 1993 were composed using then outdated PC-8801 hardware alongside his own original programming language. According to Koshiro: "For Bare Knuckle I used the PC88 and an original programming language I developed myself. The original was called MML, Music Macro Language. It's based on NEC's BASIC program, but I modified it heavily. It was more a BASIC-style language at first, but I modified it to be something more like Assembly. I called it ‘Music Love'. I used it for all the Bare Knuckle Games."[2] In 1994, he composed a famous soundtrack for the Sega CD version of the role-playing video game Eye of the Beholder.[8]

He also composed the main theme of the French TV channel Nolife.[9] He also composed the soundtrack for Sega's Shenmue alongside Takenobu Mitsuyoshi.[10][11] Koshiro's latest work includes music for acclaimed video games such as the Etrian Odyssey series,[2] Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune, and 7th Dragon.

Concert performances

A live performance of ActRaiser could be heard in 2004 at the second Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany and in 2005 at the first Chamber Music Game Concert in Leipzig, Germany.[12] Yuzo Koshiro was participating on PLAY! A Video Game Symphony, a symphonic world-tour featuring video game music. He arranged music from Sonic The Hedgehog for the tour. He attended the world premiere on May 27, 2006 in Chicago.

On August 23, 2006, his music from The Revenge of Shinobi was performed at the fourth Symphonic Game Concert in Leipzig, Germany, in an arrangement done by him[12] and was performed again in two concerts in Stockholm, Sweden in 2007 and in Prague, Czech Republic in 2008 as a part of PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.

On June 15, 2007 and June 16, 2007, Koshiro worked as a disc jockey for selections of his most famous works including the Wangan Midnight- and Streets of Rage series for fans in Singapore at the PLAY! pre-concert events.

In 2007 Koshiro arranged music from New Super Mario Bros. for the fifth Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany on August 22, 2007. He attended the performance and the autograph session afterwards.[12]

Yuzo Koshiro arranged music from Jim Power in Mutant Planet for the Symphonic Shades - Huelsbeck in Concert events that were taking place on August 23, 2008 in Cologne, Germany. The music was performed by the WDR Radio Orchestra and the FILMharmonic Choir Prague. Koshiro was in attendance at both concerts.[12]

Video games

Other projects include Merregnon Soundtrack - Volume 2, Ten Plants, the Street Fighter Tribute Album (for a M. Bison stage remix), FM Sound Module Maniax, and a guest arranging role on the Pink Sweets soundtrack.

Discography

  • The Scheme (21 December 1989, Alfa Records, 25A2-8)
  • The Super Shinobi & Works (25 December 1989, Alpha Records, 25A2-53)
  • ActRaiser OST (25 January 1991, Alfa Records, ALCA-105)
  • Misty Blue (21 April 1991, Alfa Records, ALCA-123)
  • Bare Knuckle (Streets of Rage) OST (21 September 1991, Alfa Records, ALCA-181)
  • ActRaiser Symphonic Suite (21 September 1991, Alpha Records, ALCA-182, with the Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra)
  • Super Adventure Island (21 January 1992, Alfa Records, ALCA-242)
  • Yuzo Koshiro Early Collection (21 July 1992, Alfa Records, ALCA-328)
  • Bare Knuckle II (Streets of Rage 2) OST (21 January 1993, Alfa Records, ALCA-443, with Motohiro Kawashima)
  • Bare Knuckle III (Streets of Rage 3) OST (24 August 1994, Alfa Records, ALCA-5006, with Motohiro Kawashima)
  • Yuzo Koshiro Early Collection 2nd (1 August 1998, Ancient, PRD-688)
  • Culdcept OST (21 January 1998, First Smile, FSCA-10028, with Takeshi Yanagawa)
  • Streets of Rage 2 OST (1 February 2000, Mars Colony Music, MCM-10106-2, with Motohiro Kawashima, rerelease)
  • Legend 80's "The Scheme Soundtrack" (21 August 2002, Scitron, SCDC-00199, remastered with new tracks)
  • Wangan Midnight OST (4 September 2002, Scitron, SCDC-00188)
  • Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2 OST (6 April 2005, King Records, KICA-1361/1362)
  • Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 OST (27 September 2007, Marvelous Entertainment, MJCD-20102)

Contributions in:

  • All Over Xanadu (5 July 1987, Apollon Music Industrial Corp., BY30-5170)
  • Romancia Sound Fantasy (21 November 1987, Apollon Music Industrial Corp., BY30-5176)
  • Perfect Collection Ys (5 August 1990, King Records, KICA-1012/1013)
  • Perfect Collection Ys 2 (5 September 1990, King Records, KICA-1014/1015)
  • Perfect Collection Sorcerian Vol. 2 (21 September 1991, King Records, KICA-1037/1038)
  • Perfect Collection Sorcerian Vol. 3 (21 November 1991, King Records, KICA-1039/1040)
  • Great Wall (16 August 1993, Troubadour Records, TTRC-0002)
  • Perfect Collection Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys Volume 1 (23 February 1994, King Records, KICA-1139)
  • Little Princess Puppet Princess of Marl's Kingdom 2 OST (8 March 2000, Toshiba EMI/Future Land, TYCY-10031)
  • Shenmue Chapter 1 - Yokosuka OST (23 March 2000, Future Land, TYCY-10034/10035)
  • Street Fighter Tribute Album (17 December 2003, Suleputer, CPCA-1083)
  • Merregnon Soundtrack - Volume 2 (19 May 2004, Totentanz (Soulfood Music), TOT 23009)
  • Merregnon Soundtrack - Volume 2 (19 January 2005, Dex Entertainment, DECX-0018, rerelease)
  • Namco x Capcom OST (23 August 2005, Suleputer, CPCA-10118)
  • Dance Dance Revolution Festival & Strike Original Soundtrack (15 February 2006, Toshiba EMI, TOCP-64291/64292)
  • Yuusha 30 Original Soundtrack (22 July 2009, Marvelous Entertainment, MJCD-20165)

References

  1. ^ Chris Greening & Don Kotowski (February 2011). "Interview with Yuzo Koshiro". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  2. ^ a b c d John Szczepaniak. "Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 2011-03-29. Reprinted from Retro Gamer, 2009
  3. ^ "TNL Developer Spotlight: Ancient". The Next Level. 03/11/2003. Retrieved 2011-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Chris Greening & Don Kotowski (February 2011). "Interview with Yuzo Koshiro". Square Enix Music Online. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  5. ^ "Yuzo Koshiro (Sonic the Hedgehog)". samplehappy.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  6. ^ "Karen Brake: Believe in Myself". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  7. ^ Mr Toffee (November 22, 2010). "Music Box: Hey, That Sounds Familiar". GameAxis Online. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  8. ^ Barton, Matt (23 February 2007). "Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)". The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. Gamasutra. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  9. ^ Nolife TV Theme, released on the album Tamiuta
  10. ^ Andrew Long. "Interview With Shenmue's Composer". RPGamer. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  11. ^ "TNL Developer Spotlight: Ancient". The Next Level. 03/11/2003. Retrieved 2011-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d Symphonic Game Music Concerts, The Concert Programs

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