Billboard Chart Success: Two Classical Crossover Charting Albums
As a featured solo pianist, Martin Leung has contributed to two albums that charted on Billboard's Classical Crossover Albums chart — a milestone marking video game music's arrival before a mainstream audience. Charting on Billboard twice underscores how far video game music has come as serious concert repertoire — with Leung among the artists who helped bring it to that stage.
Video Games Live: Volume One (EMI Classics, 2008) Debuted at #10 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums chart. Recorded with the Slovak National Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus, conducted by Jack Wall. Leung's featured tracks: Tetris Piano Opus No. 1 (track 6) and Castlevania Rock (track 11).
“Surprising even fans of the genre, the album [Video Games Live: Volume One] has debuted at the number 10 spot on the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums chart.”
Video Games Live: Level 2 (Shout! Factory, 2010) Debuted at #8 on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart. Recorded with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jack Wall. Leung's featured tracks: Mario Piano Solo Medley (track 6), Final Fantasy Solo Piano Medley (track 13), and Castlevania Rock Overture (track 15). The DVD/Blu-ray release also features his solo performances of the Mario and Tetris medleys and the Castlevania overture.
“The CD version of Video Games Live: Level 2 ... has debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart.”
