Okay, this isn’t strictly iOS-related, but I think we can all agree that one of the best things about the Final Fantasy series is the incredible music each game features. Even the less-popular entries feature some wonderful compositions, and although the series has seen many excellent composers, the bulk of that work belongs to Nobuo Uematsu. As the main composer on the series from Final Fantasy 1 ($7.99) through Final Fantasy 10, along with significant contributions to Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14, his music is the sound of JRPGs for countless gamers. A self-taught musician with a wide range of styles in his repertoire, Uematsu has had his music covered by everyone from amateurs to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Well, we can now add the London Symphony Orchestra to that list with the release of Final Symphony, a new album from the same music label behind the excellent Greatest Video Games Music releases.

Final Symphony was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra at the famous Abbey Road Studios in the presence of Nobuo Uematsu. The album includes one substantial piece from Final Fantasy 6 ($14.99), with the remaining ten tracks largely dedicated to Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 10. I’ve had a listen to it, and while I’m no music critic, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Final Symphony is available on iTunes for $9.99, with the best parts only available through the full-album purchase. I’d give it a solid recommendation to any fans of Final Fantasy or classical music in general. While you mull it over, feel free to check out this “Behind The Scenes" video of the album recording. It includes a few choice quotes from Uematsu himself, who looks as happy as a kid on Christmas morning to be recording in the same studio as many of his musical inspirations.