Joe Hisaishi’s best hits of Miyazaki movies are essential records for families

Perhaps you, like me, have caught the information that it is a great Japanese stage production. Spirited away I’m coming to London soon, but like me, you and your kids aren’t planning on getting on a plane and going there. And I was thrilled to hear that Hayao Miyazaki, the genius creator of all the Studio Ghibli films you love, has released his latest, and long-awaited (but maybe not?) final film. boy and heron It was released in July, but I just realized it won’t be seen in the US until December. Where can a family like yours who are obsessed with Ghibli get a refreshing change of pace? You can collect so many Totoro music boxes!

Well, we’re all lucky.Released by Deutsche Grammophon Symphonic Celebration – Music from Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films. This beautiful recording features 29 songs from 10 of your favorite Ghibli films, rearranged by composer Joe Hisaishi and recorded by the London Philharmonic. The record is available via streaming services, as well as a nice vinyl edition for all turntable enthusiasts to enjoy, and quickly became a staple in the car to soccer practice (and of course, my kids couldn’t hear any of the songs). (disagree on whether to favorite) loop).

Like many of you, Miyazaki’s films helped my family get through the lockdown days of 2020-2021. There was something about mocktails depicting whimsical watercolor landscapes and real human emotions that brought us back into the world. Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro – Well, more than certain other things that don’t affect child rates as much. But of course there was also music. Studio Ghibli films would not exist without Joe Hisaishi’s amazing music.

The Pitchfork buffs call Hisaishi “Japan’s John Williams.” Other than the unfortunate Occidentalism here, this comparison is very apt. Mr. Hisaishi is a monster in the Japanese film and classical music worlds. He has written over 100 film scores and records, ranging from minimal rhythmic electronica in the vein of Philip Glass to music for yakuza crime dramas. However, he is best known for his work with director Miyazaki on Studio Ghibli films.

The new orchestral record surveys Hisaishi’s years of collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki in creating the felt worlds of Studio Ghibli films. For this record, Hisaishi rearranged 29 songs for a 96-piece woodwind orchestra and choir, and carefully arranged the tracklist to take advantage of this new symphonic context. Be sure to check out “City with a Sea View” performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hisaishi. Kiki’s Delivery Service:The very London church they recorded in may have been dreamed up by director Miyazaki’s storyboard artist. When your kids listen to this new record, your kids, like me, will notice the different versions of “Way of the Wind” in their heads. My Neighbor Totoro And this new symphonic version. However, the recording retains all the spirit of his original soundtrack, while giving the music an exciting new life as an orchestral piece.

The intensity and immersion of these works is enhanced by the process Hisaishi used in creating them. Since his first collaboration, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Director Hisaishi has produced a new film with director Miyazaki approximately every four years. “When I finish one of his works, I feel really exhausted,” Hisaishi said in his recent interview. Hisaishi feels he needs to “find a new self” between films to recharge in preparation for world-building in collaboration with Miyazaki.

Listening to this wonderful new recording, it becomes clear how integral Hisaishi’s music was to making these films what they are. Spirited away Without Hisaishi’s “One Summer Day,” we wouldn’t have achieved the exact same blend of wistful anxiety and melancholy beauty. One YouTube commenter said: “Sometimes I forget that the people who made Ghibli films and wrote this amazing music are not the same person. Mr. Hisaishi and Mr. Miyazaki are like soulmates!” symphonic celebration This work is a wonderful testament to the world that Hisaishi has helped Miyaki build over the past nearly 40 years. And take you and your kids for many rides in the car to soccer practice. And then you give the kids a hard time until you win her $1.2 billion Powerball and buy everyone a ticket to go see the game. Spirited away In London next summer.