Decca Classics Announces First Original Concert Work by Nobuo Uematsu - Merregnon: Heart of Ice
Decca Classics announces Merregnon: Heart of Ice, a newly composed orchestral symphonic fairy tale by Nobuo Uematsu. The album will be released worldwide on 19 June 2026.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra, the album marks Uematsu’s first original large-scale composition written specifically for the concert hall. The work features narration by Academy Award-winning actress Alicia Vikander, known for her performances in Ex Machina and The Danish Girl, and is based on an original story by German author Frauke Angel.
For decades, Nobuo Uematsu’s music has defined the sound world of the Final Fantasy series, one of the most successful and influential fantasy franchises in video game history. Since its debut in 1987, the series has sold more than 207 million copies worldwide. With Merregnon: Heart of Ice, Uematsu now turns fully towards the symphonic tradition with a standalone orchestral work conceived for the concert hall rather than the screen, bringing together storytelling, illustration and newly composed music in a large-scale orchestral work.
Merregnon: Heart of Ice tells the story of Kjugo, a cheerful wooden robot who embarks on a journey across a frozen landscape in search of his creator, the inventor Nuobi. The land of Merregnon lies trapped in eternal winter under the rule of the embittered Ice Wind Dancer, forcing its people to live hidden beneath the snow.
Conceived in the tradition of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, each of the central characters is represented by its own musical motif and orchestral identity, allowing the drama to unfold through sound alone. The story follows Kjugo’s journey from underground workshops and icy labyrinths to a final confrontation that restores warmth and life to the frozen world. The English narration was written by BAFTA and BAA-winning writing duo Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Barnett Jones. Highlights include the forward momentum of Sliding Through The Snow and the emotional centre of the work, Frozen Tears.
Nobuo Uematsu composed the music for many of the most celebrated titles in the Final Fantasy series, whose distinctive sound world has shaped the landscape of video game music for decades. His melodic style has since reached concert audiences worldwide, with orchestras regularly performing symphonic programmes dedicated to his music, reflecting the growing presence of video game scores in contemporary concert halls.
The project forms part of the Merregnon series, created by producer and artistic director Thomas Böcker, which blends orchestral storytelling with fantasy worlds designed to introduce new audiences to symphonic music.
The album artwork and illustrations were created by artist Tobias Orderud, whose images bring the characters and frozen world of Merregnon vividly to life.
The album was recorded after the work’s live premiere performances in Germany. In the studio, the London Symphony Orchestra brings Uematsu’s richly melodic score to life in a programme that moves between lyrical reflection, rhythmic drive and moments of orchestral brilliance.
The work continues its concert life in 2026. On 25 June, Merregnon: Heart of Ice will be presented at the Grande salle Pierre Boulez at the Philharmonie de Paris as part of Symphonic Selections, a concert celebrating Uematsu’s orchestral music.
Executive Producer at Decca Classics, Helen Rogers, says: “Merregnon: Heart of Ice captured our hearts with its charming story, beautiful illustrations, and unforgettable melodies from Nobuo Uematsu, who is unquestionably one of the greatest video game composers of our time. Thomas Böcker is a visionary, and all of us at Decca Classics share his belief in the power of the symphony orchestra to entertain and move ever-broader audiences. We’re excited to bring the world of Merregnon to a new generation of classical music fans, as well as those who have grown up on Uematsu’s legendary scores.”
Speaking about the project, Thomas Böcker says: “Merregnon: Heart of Ice grew out of a wish to create an original symphonic fairy tale that families could experience together. Working with Nobuo Uematsu and an extraordinary creative team helped shape a world of wonder and adventure, brought to life through artistic expression that feels distinctly human.”
Nobuo Uematsu comments:
“It is very fulfilling to be able to create melodies for an audience of young people around the world. It is such a charming story; I really admire the vision Thomas has for this project. This is something that will delight a whole new generation of concert attendees. I am very thankful to be asked to be part of this wonderful production.”
Merregnon: Heart of Ice is set for release June 19, 2026 and will be available on CD, LP and digitally. Pre-order now and listen to the first single here.
