Takenobu Mitsuyoshi

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉猛修 Mitsuyoshi Takenobu, born December 12, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue.[1] He was also the voice actor of Bill in Sega-AM2's 1993 fighting arcade game, Burning Rival.

Biography

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi held a particular interest in the genre of game music, and was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work in this field with Sega. Joining the Sega team in 1990 not only allowed him to create music in his favorite format, but it also offered him the chance to be a part of the celebrated S.S.T. Band (Sega Sound Team), a live performance band employed by Sega to perform games music of its arcade games.

Mitsuyoshi's name first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he had written all music and vocals.[2]

In the highly acclaimed 1999 Dreamcast release, Shenmue, Mitsuyoshi created a soundtrack of over 20 songs and more than 200 other pieces to be used throughout the game. He composed the game's popular 2001 sequel, Shenmue II, as well. Mitsuyoshi also sang the Japanese ending theme of Space Channel 5 Part 2, "This Is My Happiness".

Since then, Mitsuyoshi has focused less on writing his own material and more on providing signature vocals to other Sega games.

Video game soundtracks

Concerts

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi's music from Shenmue was performed live at the first Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany in 2003. It was the first time that a concert featuring video game music was held outside Japan.[4]

Mitsuyoshi attended the world-premiere of Play! A Video Game Symphony at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois in May 2006. His music from the Shenmue series was performed by a full symphony orchestra. This event drew nearly 4000 attendees.

In 2007, his music from the World Club Champion Football series was presented at the fifth Symphonic Game Music Concert. Takenobu Mitsuyoshi joined the choir during the performance.[4]

For Symphonic Shades – Hülsbeck in Concert in 2008, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi arranged music from Apidya, by German composer Chris Hülsbeck. The event was performed by the WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne in Cologne, Germany and marked the first live radio broadcast of a video game music concert.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Jeriaska. "GameSetInterview: Sega's Mitsuyoshi On Giving Voice To Arcade Classics". gamesetwatch.com. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ Ramos, Jeff (7 July 2010). "Takenobu Mitsuyoshi & Rony Barrak perform “Let’s Go Away” from Daytona USA". Gameculturalist.com. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  3. ↑ Ramos, Jeff (7 July 2010). "Takenobu Mitsuyoshi & Rony Barrak perform “Let’s Go Away” from Daytona USA". Gameculturalist.com. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Symphonic Game Music Concerts, The Concert Programs
  5. ↑ Symphonic Shades, Symphonic Shades live im Radio

External links