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Nobuo Uematsu
Birthdate:
March 21, 1959
Birthplace:
Kochi City, Kochi prefecture, Japan

Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫)

Music Composer

Nobuo Uematsu is one of the more famous video game composers in existence. Beginning with his score for the original Final Fantasy, he has provided musical compositions for every canonical installment in the series' history. With composers like Yasunori Mitsuda, Masashi Hamauzu, and Kumi Tanioka, he has directed the audio design for many classic titles of 8, 16, and 32-bit eras.

Born in 1959, Uematsu began playing the piano when he was twelve years old, though he was never formally trained. He maintains his greatest role model early in life was Elton John. After graduating from Kanagawa University, with no music degree to speak of, he wrote music for television commercials before joining Square in 1986.

In 2003 he formed The Black Mages, performing rock arrangements of Final Fantasy tracks on the electric keyboard. Since the band's inception, it has published two complete albums and staged multiple concerts.

Uematsu remained exclusively with Square for over a decade, until 2004. He then formed his own company, Smile Please, and became a freelance composer with greater control over his projects. Today, he works with Hironobu Sakaguchi on Mistwalker projects including Blue Dragon, due out in English-speaking territories this summer, and Lost Odyssey, currently in development.

Source: Square Enix Music Online

Creditscredited in 149 publications

Games

 
platform release role
3-D Worldrunner (credits)nes12 Mar 1987JapanMusic
Alpha (credits)misc08 July 1986JapanMusic
Apple Town Story (credits)nes03 Apr 1987JapanMusic
Blue Dragon (credits)36024 Aug 2007USAComposer
Chrono Trigger (credits)snes27 Sep 1995USAMusic
Uematsu helped finish the soundtrack after original composer Yasunori Mitsuda contracted stomach ulcers.
Cleopatra no Mahou (credits)nes24 July 1987JapanMusic
Cruise Chaser BLASSTY (credits)miscApr 1986JapanMusic
DynamiTracer (credits)snes 1996JapanMusic
Final Fantasy (credits)nes12 July 1990USAMusic
A few of the game's tracks became mainstays to the Final Fantasy series: the Prelude, the arpeggio played on the title screen; the Opening Theme, which is played when the party crosses the bridge early in the game and later referred to as the Final Fantasy theme; and the Victory Fanfare, which is played after every victorious battle. The opening motif of the Battle theme has also been reused a number of times in the series.
Final Fantasy II (credits)nes17 Dec 1988JapanMusic
Final Fantasy III (credits)nes17 Apr 1990JapanMusic
Final Fantasy IV (credits)snes04 Nov 1991USAMusic
Final Fantasy IV (credits)nds20 Dec 2007JapanComposer
Final Fantasy IX (credits)ps14 Nov 2000USAOriginal Score, Music
Final Fantasy Legend (credits)gb 1990USAMusic
Final Fantasy Legend II (credits)gb 1991USAMusic
Final Fantasy V (credits)snes06 Dec 1992JapanMusic
Final Fantasy VI (credits)snes20 Oct 1994USAMusic
Final Fantasy VII (credits)ps07 Sep 1997USAMusic
Final Fantasy VIII (credits)ps09 Sep 1999USAMusic
Uematsu is responsible for composing and producing the music for Final Fantasy VIII, including the title's theme song, "Eyes on Me", performed by Faye Wong. The CD single sold over 400,000 copies in Japan, making it the best-selling video game music disc ever released there until "Hikari" by Utada Hikaru for Kingdom Hearts. The track "Liberi Fatali" was played during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens during the women's synchronized swimming event.
Final Fantasy X (credits)ps217 Dec 2001USAMusic
Scored in collaboration with Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano.
Final Fantasy XI (credits)ps223 Mar 2004USAMusic
Scored in collaboration with Naoshi Mizuta and Kumi Tanioka.
Final Fantasy XII (credits)ps231 Oct 2006USA
Scored in collaboration with Hitoshi Sakimoto.
Front Mission: Gun Hazard (credits)snes23 Feb 1996JapanMusic
Scored in collaboration with Yasunori Mitsuda, Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano
Hanjuku Hero (credits)nes02 Dec 1988JapanMusic
Hanjuku Hero IV: The Seven Half-Boiled Heroes (credits)ps226 May 2005JapanMusic
Hanjuku Hero VS 3D (credits)ps223 June 2003JapanMusic
King's Knight (credits)nes18 Sep 1986JapanMusic
Lost Odyssey (credits)36030 Oct 2007JapanComposer
Rad Racer (credits)nes01 Oct 1987USAMusic
Romancing SaGa 2 (credits)snes10 Dec 1993JapanMusic
Worked with Kenji Ito, although Ito is credited as the primary source of the score.
Square no Tom Sawyer (credits)nes30 Nov 1989JapanMusic
Super Mario RPG (credits)snes13 May 1996USAMusic
Features his music from Final Fantasy IV, arranged by Yoko Shimomura.
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Albums

 
release role
A Night in Fantasia Limited Edition CD (credits)01 Nov 2003Composer 
All Sounds of SaGa (credits)15 Dec 2004Composer 
Alpha Soundtrack (credits)08 July 1986Composer 
Blue Dragon My Tears and the Sky (credits)22 Nov 2006Composer 
Blue Dragon Eternity (credits)22 Nov 2006Composer 
Blue Dragon Original Soundtrack (credits)13 Dec 2006Composer 
Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon Coi Vanni Gialli (credits)05 Feb 1998Composer 
Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon 2 Original Soundtrack (credits)21 Jan 1999Composer 
Chocobo Racing Original Soundtrack (credits)25 Mar 1999Composer 
Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack (credits)18 Dec 1999 
Chrono Trigger Original Sound Version (credits)25 Mar 1995Composer 
Cruise Chaser BLASSTY Original Soundtrack (credits)01 Apr 1986Composer 
Ehrgeiz Original Soundtrack (credits)22 Jan 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy Symphonic Suite (credits)30 Sep 1989Composer 
Final Fantasy Symphonic Suite (credits)25 Mar 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy Vocal Collections I - Pray (credits)25 June 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy 1987-1994 (credits)10 Dec 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy 1987-1994 Limited Edition (credits)26 Nov 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy Mix (credits)26 Nov 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy Vocal Collections II - Love Will Grow (credits)25 Nov 1995Composer 
Final Fantasy Potion (credits)21 Feb 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy Potion 2 (credits)19 Dec 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy 20020220 (credits)09 May 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy The Black Mages (credits)19 Feb 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy Mix (credits)26 Nov 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy N Generation: Official Best Collection (credits)22 Oct 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy N Generation: Official Best Collection (credits)22 Oct 2001Arranger 
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Original Soundtrack (credits)01 Jan 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy I·II Sound Collections (credits)21 Dec 1988Composer 
Final Fantasy I·II Sound Collections (credits)25 Mar 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy I·II Original Soundtrack (credits)23 Oct 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy III Legend of the Eternal Wind (credits)25 May 1990Composer 
Final Fantasy III Original Sound Version (credits)15 July 1991Composer 
Final Fantasy III Legend of the Eternal Wind (credits)25 Mar 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy III Original Sound Version (credits)01 Feb 1995Composer 
Final Fantasy III Kefka's Domain (credits)01 Jan 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy III Original Soundtrack (credits)20 Sep 2006Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Original Sound Version (credits)14 June 1991Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Minimum Album (credits)05 Sep 1991Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Celtic Moon (credits)28 Oct 1991Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Piano Collections (credits)21 Apr 1992Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Piano Collections (credits)24 Sep 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Original Sound Version (credits)01 Feb 1995Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Celtic Moon (credits)01 Feb 1995Composer 
Final Fantasy IV Piano Collections (credits)23 May 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack (credits)30 Aug 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack Plus (credits)06 Dec 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy IX Piano Collections (credits)24 Jan 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy IX Melodies of Life (credits)02 Aug 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy Song Book Mahoroba (credits)10 Mar 2004Composer 
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Original Soundtrack (credits)19 Feb 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance White Melodies (credits)26 Feb 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy V 5 + 1 (credits)21 Oct 1992Composer 
Final Fantasy V Original Sound Version (credits)07 Dec 1992Composer 
Final Fantasy V Mambo de Chocobo (credits)21 Jan 1993Composer 
Final Fantasy V Dear Friends (credits)25 Mar 1993Composer 
Final Fantasy V Piano Collections (credits)21 June 1993Composer 
Final Fantasy V Piano Collections (credits)24 Sep 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy V Original Sound Version (credits)26 Nov 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy V Dear Friends (credits)01 Feb 1995Composer 
Final Fantasy V Piano Collections (credits)01 Jan 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Stars Vol. 1 (credits)24 Jan 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Stars Vol. 2 (credits)24 Jan 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version (credits)25 Mar 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Grand Finale (credits)25 May 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Piano Collections (credits)25 June 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Piano Collections (credits)25 July 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy VI Special Tracks (credits)25 Apr 1994Composer 
Final Fantasy VII Original Sound Track (credits)10 Feb 1997Composer 
Final Fantasy VII Reunion Tracks (credits)22 Oct 1997Composer 
Final Fantasy VII Piano Collections (credits)03 Dec 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Original Soundtrack (credits)28 Sep 2005Composer 
Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (credits)01 Mar 1999Composer 
Final Fantasy VIII Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec (credits)20 Nov 1999Composer 
Final Fantasy VIII Piano Collections (credits)21 Jan 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection (credits)01 Jan 2000Composer 
Final Fantasy VIII Eyes on Me (credits)24 Feb 1999Composer 
Final Fantasy X Suteki da ne (credits)18 July 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy X Piano Collections (credits)20 Feb 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy X Original Soundtrack (credits)01 Aug 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy X Official Soundtrack (credits)20 Feb 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy X feel/Go dream (credits)11 Oct 2001Composer 
Final Fantasy X Vocal Collection (credits)18 Dec 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack Limited Edition (credits)05 June 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack (credits)05 June 2002Composer 
Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia Original Soundtrack (credits)17 Oct 2004Composer 
Final Fantasy XI: Vision of Zilaat Original Soundtrack (credits)21 May 2003Composer 
Final Fantasy XII Kiss Me Goodbye (credits)15 Mar 2006Composer 
Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack (credits)31 May 2006Composer 
Front Mission: Gun Hazard Original Soundtrack (credits)25 Feb 1996Composer 
Hanjuku Hero Original Soundtrack (credits)25 June 2003Composer 
Hanjuku Hero IV: The Seven Half-Boiled Heroes ~Sound Collection~ (credits)26 May 2005Composer 
Hanjuku Hero V.S 3D Original Soundtrack (credits)25 June 2003Composer 
Hanjuku Hero V.S 3D Fight! Hanjuku Hero / Without Yolk... (credits)23 Apr 2003Composer 
Journeys on a Piano Alexey Yemtsov (credits)15 Apr 2006Composer 
Kingdom Hearts -FINAL MIX- Additional Tracks (credits)25 Dec 2002Composer 
Kingdom Hearts II Original Soundtrack (credits)25 Jan 2006Composer 
Kokoro no Senshi (credits)18 Jan 2006Composer 
Phantasmagoria (credits)26 Oct 1994Composer 
Potion~Relaxin' with Final Fantasy~ (credits)19 July 2006Composer 
Project Majestic Mix Silver Edition (credits)20 Aug 2002Composer 
Project Majestic Mix Gold Edition (credits)15 June 2002Composer 
Romancing Sa?Ga La Romance (credits)25 Nov 1995Composer 
Romancing Sa?Ga Original Sound Version (credits)25 Nov 1995Composer 
Romancing Sa?Ga 2 Original Sound Version (credits)25 Nov 1995Composer 
Romancing Sa?Ga 2 Eternal Romance (credits)25 Nov 1995Composer 
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Original Soundtrack (credits)27 Apr 2005Composer 
Square Vocal Collection (credits)20 June 2001Composer 
SQUAREDANCE Standard Edition (credits)20 Aug 2002Composer 
SQUAREDANCE Limited Edition (credits)20 Aug 2002Composer 
Ten Plants (credits)22 Apr 1998Composer 
The Black Mages (credits)10 May 2004Composer 
The Black Mages II ~The Skies Above~ (credits)22 Dec 2004Composer 
Voices from Final Fantasy Final Fantasy Premium Orchestra Concert (credits)21 June 2006Composer 

News

  • Traversing "Distant Worlds"
    distantworlds.pngNorth River Road is a path I regard with fondness, for is was inside the Rosemont Theater, located on this bustling boulevard, that I first met with what had up until recently been the definitive experience in my video-game-themed concert outings: the world premiere of "PLAY! A Video Game Symphony" on May 27, 2006. For me, it was a true spectacle unlike any before it, featuring an assortment of wonderful musical pieces from blockbuster video game titles performed by a full orchestra and choir, led by Grammy-Award-winning music director Arnie Roth. Memories of Akira Yamaoka's electric guitar screeching the sounds of Silent Hill, Koji Kondo's New Super Mario Bros. piano solo, and Angela Aki performing "Kiss Me Good-Bye" and "Eyes On Me" still, to this day, glisten freshly in my mind with deep affection. Indeed, it was a show to reckon with. Nearly two years later, on March 1, 2008, I was fortunate enough to return to this street and adjacent performance hall for the North American debut of "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY." Full Article
    news article 14 Mar 2008 by Eddy  22  no new comments discuss permalink permalink
  • For those who missed the Dear Friends tour
    Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASYMonday saw the announcement of the newest Final Fantasy concert tour, "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY." The tour is in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of the original Final Fantasy title. Full Article
    news article 18 Oct 2007 by Andrew  -1  no new comments 7 commentss permalink permalink
  • MMO-OST: Final Fantasy XI gets soundtrack box
    ffxi-newexp.gifAvailable for import at the price of $99, the newly announced Final Fantasy XI Soundtrack Premium Box Set will include seven discs and a piano score sheet. The limited edition item marks the fifth anniversary of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game in Japan, available for the PC, Playstation 2, and XBox 360 console. The CD collection composed and arranged by Naoshi Mizuta, Kumi Tanioka, and Nobuo Uematsu goes on sale in Japan on March 28th for 10,476 yen. Details and order info
    news article 04 Mar 2007 by Jeriaska  0  no new comments discuss permalink permalink
  • Blue Dragon soundtrack really pretty good
    nobuo.jpgThe latest entry in Nobuo Uematsu's ouvre, the two-disc soundtrack for Blue Dragon, is now on sale in Japan. "I have a feeling that, after a long time, I finally managed to write something really good again," Uematsu modestly answered in a recent interview. Happily, the man speaks the truth. Details
    news article 13 Dec 2006 by Jeriaska  8  no new comments discuss permalink permalink

Interviews

August 24, 2006G wie Gorilla; Leipzig Concert Interview
February 25, 2005Interview with a Black Mage
July 09, 2004IGN More Friends Interview
2002Rocket Baby Interviews Nobuo Uematsu
May 28, 2001In Fantasy's Loop
2000EGM Final Fantasy X interview
March 10, 1999Nobuo FAQ by DigiCube

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