This year’s New Zealand Music Month has delivered its usual pot pouri of audio treats but perhaps none stranger than that served up at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth yesterday.

 New Plymouth Boy’s High School student Matthew Reeve performed theme tunes from the well-known video game Final Fantasy during a lunchtime performance at the museum.

“I learnt to play when I was quite young and when I first heard them (the theme tunes) I quite liked the sound,” said Matthew.

He taught himself the pieces, which are mostly classic compositions, from listening to the games, and recordings on YouTube. 

Although not the biggest fan of classical music, Matthew said he was drawn to the romantic sound of the video game themes.

“I play what I find appealing,” he said.

Proud mum Rosemary Reeve and grandmother Jeanne Aitchison were on hand to witness Matthew’s performance and although not fans of the video game they enjoyed the show.

 “I love it. It appeals to such a wide age range,” said Mrs Reeve. “It’s modern music for the kids but it has a classical kind of sound to it to as well.”

Final Fantasy is the flagship series of Japanese video game giant Square Enix and its music, created by self-taught musician Nobuo Uematsu, features prominently on social media.

American pianist Michael Gluck (aka Piano Squall) for example has had about 1.5 million views on YouTube of his Final Fantasy battle theme medley.

Matthew, who also played his own composition Northern Lights for which he got an Excellence in NCEA Level 2 music, aims to go to university next year to study geophysics.

But if given the opportunity the teenager would love to write music for video games.

“Who wouldn’t? I’m sure anyone who got offered that would do it,” he said.

This is a rendition of Aerith’s Theme from Final Fantasy VII played by Thomas Unger  whose Youtube account is Arkton.