Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 27, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Spectacular lighting effects, interactive game interludes and a top-class symphony orchestra – these are the hallmarks of Video Games Live (VGL), the world’s most successful concert series in the field of video game music. This year, the classical event is also stopping in Germany for the first time: on August 20, 2008, at 8.00 p.m., VGL will stage the official video game music concert for GC – Games Convention, Europe’s largest computer and video games trade fair. A major musical event awaits around 6,000 visitors at Arena Leipzig.
“I am delighted that we have been able to bring Video Games Live, one of the most internationally successful video game music events, to Leipzig. The combination of classical music and interactive elements provides an ideal prelude to Europe’s largest games festival,” says Peggy Schönbeck, Project Director of GC – Games Convention. Tommy Tallarico, producer of VGL, is also looking forward to the new collaboration. “Video Games Live is the best way to make both video games and their wonderful music even better known. Anyone who comes to our show once will quickly understand what a fantastic art form video games have developed into over recent years.”
Under the direction of Jack Wall, the Video Games Live Symphony Orchestra performs the best-known computer game melodies. The performances by American star pianist Martin Leung are particularly worth hearing. For several years, the 21-year-old exceptional talent has devoted himself almost exclusively to interpreting well-known game melodies such as Earthworm Jim, Zelda and Final Fantasy. Leung made his international breakthrough in 2004 when he performed the Super Mario theme song blindfolded for the first time.
But it is not only classical music lovers who will get their money’s worth at the official video game music concert for GC 2008. Alongside the music, scenes from the respective games will be shown on a giant screen. Whether wild Pacman chases, tricky Tetris rotations or dangerous Myst exploration tours – Video Games Live takes the audience on a multimedia journey through time across the world of gaming. “In order to convey the special VGL feeling not only to the musicians on stage but to reach the entire audience, we have supplemented the concert with numerous interactive elements,” Jack Wall explains the VGL concept. So gaming will not be neglected that evening either. A few lucky spectators will have the opportunity to take part in an interactive gaming contest on stage. The evening will be rounded off by a specially coordinated laser show and appearances by numerous well-known game characters.
Tickets for the official video game music concert for GC 2008 can be ordered from all well-known advance booking offices and at http://www.deag.de. With the VGL combination ticket, concert visitors also have the opportunity to spend a day testing the latest video games at GC – Games Convention.
Further information:
- Games Convention
Video Games live
