Joe Hisaishi: A Symphonic Celebration - Music of the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki

by Joe Hisaishi, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Overview

On this delightful collection of beloved hits from the Ghibli universe, Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring these songs to life with equal parts whimsical wonder, choral heft, and lush orchestral layering. A Symphonic Celebration indeed, the spirits are unmistakably high on triumphant moments such as "Merry-Go-Round of Life" from Howl's Moving Castle and the bombastic introduction to Nausicaae's "The Legend of the Wind" and the percussion-heavy stomper "The Battle between Mehve and Corvette." The latter films receive the most representation here, while Kiki's Delivery Service, The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, and, of course, My Neighbor Totoro all make their mark with familiar themes and deeper score cuts. While fan favorite Totoro has the honor of closing the show -- "Hey Let's Go" provides an ineffable amount of joy -- the grandeur and spiritual impact of the Princess Mononoke section is a definite standout (especially the shiver-inducing title track). Live vocals contribute to many of the highlights here, from the tender contemplation of Spirited Away's "One Summer's Day," whose English-language version benefits from the angelic voice of Grace Davidson to the uplifting force of "Nausicaa Requiem" and the childlike "The Distant Days," which both feature a full choir. That blend of sweeping triumph and innocence permeates this collection, as one would expect, and the master delivers all the hits and then some. Even though there are plenty of variations of these songs, each successive collection warrants a listen. A Symphonic Celebration is no different, with Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic delivering a performance for the ages. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	06/30/2023
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0602448773524
Rank:	5621

Tracks

1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind~Suite
2. Kiki's Delivery Service~Suite
3. Princess Mononoke~Suite
4. The Wind Rises~Suite
5. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea~Suite
6. Castle in the Sky~Suite
7. Porco Rosso~Suite
8. Howl's Moving Castle~Suite
9. Spirited Away~Suite
10. My Neighbor Totoro~Suite

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Joe Hisaishi   Primary Artist,Conductor
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
James Day   Musical Director
Bach Choir   Choir/Chorus
Steve Morris   Violin
Mai Fujisawa   Vocals
Philip Cobb   Trumpet
Grace Davidson   Soprano (Vocal)
Mark Austin   Conductor
Tiffin Choir   Choir/Chorus
Avi Avital   Mandolin

Technical Credits

Sophie Watson   Engineer
Anush Alimirzaie   A&R
Tom Lewington   Editing
Murray Rose   Marketing
Lina Matschinko   Coordination
Yuka Araki   Design
Satoshi Kuba   Language Coach
Katsuya Kondo   Text
Mai Fujisawa   Text
Kleopatra Sofroniou   Executive Producer
Takeshi Muramatsu   Mixing
Mike Hatch   Mixing,Engineer,Balance Engineer
Joe Hisaishi   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Orchestra Contractor
Michael Beek   Liner Notes
Shigeki Fujino   Mastering Engineer
Rieko Nakagawa   Text
Hayao Miyazaki   Text
Anna Barry   Recording Producer
Ian Watson   Editing
Nick Rutter   Photography