The Sonic Symphony races to the Kansas City Music Hall this Saturday

This Saturday, January 27, the Sonic Symphony World Tour, “an immersive concert featuring the music and visuals of SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog,” hits the Kansas City Music Hall for a live multimedia experience. Details on that show here.

From MGP Live, the company behind such tours as Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, Square Enix’s Distant World Music from Final Fantasy, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Symphony, and Warner Bros’ / DC Comics’ The Batman Live in Concert, the Sonic Symphony “showcases the highlights from select games in the award-winning series” and spans “a variety of genres, ranging from symphonic reimaginings of classic Sonic tracks to the more rock-oriented scores that bring life to the franchise’s modern titles.”

Ahead of tomorrow night’s performance, we spoke with tour producer Massimo Gallotta about the challenges and thrills of bringing video game music to life.

The Pitch: What are the challenges in bringing a tour such as this to life?

Massimo Gallotta: Bringing Sonic Symphony tour to life involves multifaceted challenges, intertwining artistic coordination, technical complexities, venue suitability, audience engagement, logistical coordination, financial management, and innovative marketing. Coordinating live music with synchronized visual elements demands precise artistic alignment, while technical requirements across various venues present logistical hurdles. Engaging the audience in this immersive experience requires balancing captivation with active involvement. Managing logistics, budgeting for high-end production elements, and crafting innovative marketing strategies are key in successfully realizing the Sonic Symphony tour. Overcoming these challenges necessitates meticulous planning, technical expertise, collaborative teamwork, and a deep understanding of audience expectations.

How exactly does it work, given that there’s both a symphonic and rock band element?

In a Sonic Symphony tour featuring both symphonic and rock band elements, Shota Nakama, as co-producer, plays a pivotal role in crafting intricate arrangements that fuse the depth of symphonic orchestration with the energy of a rock band. Nakama works closely with professional arrangers to meticulously transcribe or compose symphonic renditions of rock songs, ensuring a harmonious blend of the orchestra’s grandeur and the rock band’s intensity.

Through extensive collaborative rehearsals, Nakama facilitates the seamless integration of these elements, coordinating with the symphony conductor and the rock band’s leader to synchronize performances. This fusion allows for alternating segments showcasing the symphony’s emotive depth and the rock band’s raw power, with moments of synergy where both entities perform together. The Sonic Symphony tour, guided by Nakama’s arrangements and production expertise, delivers a captivating concert experience that resonates with fans of symphonic and rock music alike.

Where did the idea for focusing specifically on the Sonic games come from?

The idea to focus on the Sonic games specifically stemmed from the rich and iconic themes created by the composers within the Sonic franchise. These captivating melodies, characterized by their energetic and catchy tunes, have garnered immense love and nostalgia from audiences worldwide. The idea emerged from the desire to showcase and reimagine these beloved sonic landscapes through a symphonic lens, aiming to offer fans an immersive experience that celebrates the cherished music of the Sonic games.

Given that this isn’t the only symphonic tour MGP has put on, what makes video games different from something like Batman?

The distinction lies in the engagement of the audience between video game symphonic tours like Sonic and cinematic scores such as Nino Rota’s Godfather or Danny Elfman’s Batman. While the latter showcases sublime soundtracks renowned for their association with iconic films, video game symphonic tours like Sonic offer a unique interactive experience. Video game music often elicits a profound emotional connection due to players’ direct involvement with the melodies during gameplay, fostering a deep sense of nostalgia and personal attachment.

Contrastingly, cinematic scores complement the visual narrative of movies, but the engagement is primarily through the film medium rather than personal interaction, distinguishing the immersive nature of video game symphonic tours. These symphonic experience concerts have become a phenomenon and are the entry point for many people to get into classical music.

Where did you first get the music bug?

The passion for music and live events began over 40 years ago. Starting in Italy, I delved into concert promotion, eventually founding MGP Live in NYC in 2006 to globally promote Italian culture and music with innovative, cross-genre productions. MGP Live has curated numerous remarkable concerts, including the groundbreaking US debut for Maestro Ennio Morricone at Radio City Music Hall and hosting esteemed artists like Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Joe Cocker, and more.

My drive for musical innovation expanded to introducing symphonic experience concerts, bridging classical music to wider audiences. My lifelong dedication to music and cultural exchange spurred this venture, igniting a lifelong “music bug” that continues to inspire and connect people through diverse musical experiences.

After Sonic, then comes Batman. What else might you have in the works?

At MGP Live, we’re constantly exploring innovative projects that captivate diverse audiences and push artistic boundaries. Beyond our successful Sonic and Batman symphonic experiences, we’re touring with the Grammy Award winner 8-Bit Big Band.

While I can’t delve into specific details just yet, I can assure you that our team is dedicated to curating unique and immersive experiences that celebrate iconic themes and resonate with fans across various genres. Stay tuned for announcements regarding our upcoming ventures, as we continue to create extraordinary musical journeys that transcend expectations.

The Sonic Symphony is at the Kansas City Music Hall on Saturday, January 27. Details on that show here.