David Saulesco

Game Music, Reviews

Video Game Orchestra: Live at Symphony Hall (Review)

July 21, 2014 | Michael Hoffmann | 2 Comments Share this

If you’ve been around the gaming convention scene on the east coast, chances are that you have heard of the Video Game Orchestra. Not to be confused with the Video Games Live concerts, the Video Game Orchestra (or VGO, for short) is a Boston based group that combines a unique sound of rock and orchestral genres for their videogame covers. It’s a genre that they often refer to as “rockestral game music.” The VGO has had a number of performances at events like PAX East and MAGFest, but they have also performed a number of stand alone concerts in the New England area. Depending on the venue, the group can consist of anything from a small rock ensemble to a much larger rock band and orchestra combination.

Back in 2012, the VGO launched a Kickstarter campaign for an album featuring their larger ensemble. The Kickstarter was a success and enabled them to record a live concert performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall on October 7, 2012. Thanks to the Kickstarter funding, they were able to have the performance recorded, mixed, mastered, and released to their backers and eventually to the public. The album officially received its public release earlier this year. The end result is the album Live at Symphony Hall. So what music did they cover and how does it sound? Read on to find out. (more…)
Featured, Game Music, Indie Music

Introducing… STASIS CONCERTO

May 23, 2013 | Patrick Gann | 6 Comments Share this Introducing… STASIS CONCERTO

*All art assets, including the above logo, are work-in-progress and may not be representative of the final product

In my last post, I hinted at a reason as to why I could no longer act as managing editor of OriginalSoundVersion. Today, I reveal what that reason is: I’m throwing my hat in the indie game ring.

After the jump, I’ll provide some initial details about this project, including the key asset developers (art/music) and a rough timeline. But for now, let me make the following statements as the two key reasons why I can no longer be an active part of OSV:

1) Time management. I can only devote so much time to playing games and writing about games if I am also simultaneously trying to make a game (this also explains my waning activity on my personal blog Gameosaurus).
2) Conflict of interest. Those of you who go on to read this full article will see that many of the people I’ve recruited for this project are people whose works have been evaluated in the past (generally in a very positive light). To continue writing about their works, or the works of their professional colleagues and (real or perceived) rivals, would be inherently biased in a whole new way, since I am now working with them on our own project.

Again, OSV will continue to live on. But my focus for the coming months and years (should it take that long) will be on this exciting new Visual Novel game project. Details after the jump! (more…)
Featured, Game Music

Standing On Their Own Feet: VGO Live At Symphony Hall

October 13, 2012 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on Standing On Their Own Feet: VGO Live At Symphony Hall Share this

[rehearsal photo courtesy Damian Thomas]

We’ve been ceaselessly promoting the VGO in the past month. Full disclosure: VGO founder Shota Nakama is technically an OSV member, as he has provided many translation services for us over the years. But he is much more than a translator. He’s a guitarist, an arranger, an organizer and producer.

So when the Video Game Orchestra put on their first no-strings-attached show (no Distant Worlds, no association with a convention, no “film and game music in the same concert”), we at OSV were all on board to see it succeed.

And this past weekend, that’s exactly what I saw.

Next week, we’ll have our interview with the four guest composers at the show (Noriyuki Iwadare, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yoko Shimomura, Kinuyo Yamashita). But for now, after the jump, I’d like to give you my detailed report of the concert, as well as some strange and wonderful encounters I had with industry veterans and fans alike. (more…)
Miscellaneous

David Saulesco Improves Upon Gaga & Beyonce

September 20, 2012 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on David Saulesco Improves Upon Gaga & Beyonce Share this

Back in January, this crazy-huge a capella group from Slovenia called “Perpetuum Jazzile” performed a concert that only recently made it to YouTube. One of their selections was a cover of the song “Telephone” by Lady Gaga & Beyonce.

This particular arrangement was put together by David Saulesco (follow him on twitter! @withaknife), the composer for Derek Yu’s Eternal Daughter and other indie games (see our interview here).

On a personal note, I’ve loved David and his work for years, but I frankly had no idea he had this kind of choral arrangement prowess locked away inside him. He needs to do more of these arrangements! Maybe one for a VGM vocal theme! Imagine what Saulesco would do with One Winged Angel or Liberi Fatali…
Game Music, Reviews

A Light Snack: Saulesco’s “Rememory” Soundtrack (Review)

May 11, 2012 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on A Light Snack: Saulesco’s “Rememory” Soundtrack (Review) Share this

Forget David’s @withaknife name, it’s time to talk about WITHASPOON!

Actually, there isn’t much to say. David Saulesco, the fantastic composer whom we recently interviewed regarding Eternal Daughter 10th Anniversary OST, released this totally random soundtrack as a freebie on his Bandcamp page (link here, embed below). The game was called Rememory, but it’s doubtful you’ve ever played it. Why?

According to David, despite its existence on the iOS App Store, the game crashes at launch on most devices. So, the puzzle game itself, apparently quite charming and endearing, is unplayable. Hence, free soundtrack for you to check out.

With the exception of the bonus track (Trailer music), it’s all 8-bit retro chippy goodness. Of the four main themes, my favorites are Court (game A) and Tower (game C). In both instances, I felt that Saulesco was channeling his inner Koichi Sugiyama. Or, maybe he’s never played Dragon Quest, and he’s just really good at neo-Baroque and neo-Classical composition. In any case, these are short, nifty tracks. Be sure to pick it up and add it to your favorite music-playing device.

<a href="http://withaknife.bandcamp.com/album/rememory-original-soundtrack">Rememory Original Soundtrack by David Saulesco</a>
Game Music

Rekindled Memories: Eternal Daughter 10th Anniversary Original Soundtrack Review

May 9, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | Comments Off on Rekindled Memories: Eternal Daughter 10th Anniversary Original Soundtrack Review Share this

David Saulesco has traveled far since his mid teens in the world of video games. Born and raised in a quiet suburb of Stockholm, the child of meatballs and Kalle’s caviar was raised in a musical family which had him bit by the music bug at an early age, and alongside his deep love for music, blossomed also a love for video games. It was almost a certainty even before he entered school that in his life, Saulesco was destined for a life of fun, friends and video games, and now in 2012, Saulesco is working on a wide range of projects, realizing his childhood dreams one after another.

His road to the video games industry had its largest step in 2002, at the age of 16, when Saulesco was given the chance to compose the music for Derek Yu’s freeware classic Eternal Daughter. A game filled with homage and heart, it gave a unique yet daunting opportunity for the young Swede to make use of his own melodies while also leaving some hints of his inspirations along the way, giving the game it’s charming sound. Now 27, Saulesco has returned to rearrange and update his very first soundtrack for its 10th anniversary.

Is the rebirth worth your time or as sour as a Swedish lime? Find out! (more…)
Featured, Game Music, Indie Music

Eternal Child: David Saulesco Interview

April 30, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | Comments Off on Eternal Child: David Saulesco Interview Share this Eternal Child: David Saulesco Interview

Since the summer of 2002, David Saulesco has climbed the ladder of success slowly but surely in his lifelong dream to work with video games and music. It was in that year that the then 16 year old composer was launched to indy fame and recognition with Derek Yu’s freeware masterpiece Eternal Daughter. Since then the young man has thrown himself into nearly all ends of both the music and video game industry, producing, arranging, contracting, he even rode on a horse once.

Now, Saulesco is returning to his proving grounds, and will be releasing the Eternal Daughter 10th Anniversary Original Soundtrack on May 1st. With so many projects behind him and in store in the near future, it seemed only natural to have a chat with the man and speak about his views on composing, video games, symphonic shows and everything in between. Saulesco is never short of his trademark charm, and is of no loss of words on any subject.

Click the jump to read our interview with David Saulesco (more…)