Translated by Tetsuji Kyan

Sometimes I feel I am forced into a corner by complicated human relationships, excessive responsibility I placed on myself, or by job related stress and I lose touch with myself. Because of my rather optimistic nature, I do not fall into a deep depression but there are moments when I feel like I don't know where I stand. By following the consensus without my own opinion, I sometimes end up regretting the consequences, or sometimes I try to act like a hero and tell myself that I can only depend on myself, but then the pressure becomes unbearable... 
When I feel like I do not know who I am anymore, the music leads me to a place where I feel neutral. When I'm in touch with the music, quietly by myself, I feel I can get back to myself. When I'm in touch with the souls of the composers, lyricists, and musicians, it inspires me to remember my dreams and desires 

If you can regain hopes and dreams, then you can expect bright and fruitful future. It doesn't have to be music. Some people are inspired by paintings, novels, cooking, words from their parents, computers, or even God. It can be anything as long as you believe in it and it helps you remember who you are. For me, it just happens to be music. Trying to listen to your inner self without any influences of the outside world is, in a way, very much like meditation. After I regain myself, I come back to the real world, and I set my life back on track to pursue my dream...., when or where I land, I do not know. 

September 28, 1999 
Nobuo Uematsu 


I handled the orchestration and the arrangement of the music in this CD. Ever since Reunion Tracks, everybody at Square has been very good to me and I truly appreciate it. Arrangement is like a foundation or background work, but because the magnitude of the Final Fantasy series, I feel enormous pressure. On top of that, I do not want to disappoint the large number of fans who follow Mr. Uematsu, so I felt a great responsibility. Overall, I tried to make the music interesting even as pure orchestral music. One thing I'm frustrated about is the fact that I haven't conquered the game, yet....., that bothers me. 

September 29, 1999
Shiro Hamaguchi