One of Japan’s most talented and prolific composers is Joe Hisaishi. According to People’s Daily (a Chinese paper), he has composed over 100 films and solo albums. To Western audiences, he is perhaps best known as the composer of all of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to The Wind Rises (2013). In August 2008, Mr. Hisaishi presented three concerts in Budokan, featuring the New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra, Ritsuyukai Choir and Little Singers of Tokyo, as they performed his works from 25 Years of Studio Ghibli films. A review of the third concert, featuring guest visitor Hayao Miyazaki himself, can be read here.
On September 23, 2012, Mr. Hisaishi published his concert online, which you can enjoy below:
The program:
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 00:00:45 – 00:11:31
01. Opening [Legend of the Wind]
02. Requiem
03. A Battle Between Mehve and Corvette
04. Tooi hibi (Days Long Gone)
05. Tori no Hito (Bird Person)
Mononoke Hime 00:11:37 – 00:19:11
06. Ashitaka Sekki (Tale of Ashitaka)
07. Tatari gami (The Curse God)
08. Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke), Vocal: Masako Hayashi
Kiki’s Delivery Service 0:19:41 – 0:29:10
09. Umi no Mieru Machi (A Town with an Ocean View)
10. Shoushin no Kiki (Heartbroken Kiki)
11. Kaasan no Houki (Mom’s Broom)
Joe Hisaishi introducing the musicians Speech 00:29:38 – 00:31:00
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 00:31:25 – 00:50:28
12. Shinkai Bokujyou (Deep Sea Ranch)
13. Umi no Okasan (Mother of the Sea), Vocal: Masako Hayashi
14. Nami no Sakana no Ponyo (Ponyo of the Fish of the Wave)
15. Fujimoto no Tema (Fujimoto’s Theme), Vocals: Fujioka Fujimaki
16. Himawari no Ie no Rondo (Rondo of the Sunflower House), Vocals: Mai
17. Haha no Ai (Mother’s Love)
18. Imouto-tachi no Katsuyaku (Little Sisters’ Activities)
19. Haha to Umi no Sanka (Song of Praise for Mother and the Sea)
20. Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea), Vocals: Fujioka Fujimaki and Nozomi Ohashi
Laputa: Castle in the Sky 00:50:29 – 01:01:00
21. Hato to Shounen (Pigeons and a Boy) with Marching band
22. Kimi o Nosete (Carrying you) with Choir
23. Taiju (The Huge Tree)
Porco Rosso 01:01:50 – 01:06:37
24. Kaerazaru Hibi (The Bygone Days)
Hayao Miyazaki speech 01:06:56 – 01:08:38
Howl’s Moving Castle 01:08:40 – 01:20:56
25. Symphonic Variation “Merry-go-round”
26. Cave of Mind
27. Jinsei no Merry-go-round (Merry-Go-Round of Life)
Joe Hisaishi introducing vocals from Ayaka Hirahara 01:21:30 – 01:22:05
Spirited Away 01:22:05 – 01:30:24
28. Inochi no Namae (The Name of Life), Vocals: Ayaka Hirahara
29. Futatabi (Reprise), Vocals: Ayaka Hirahara
Tonari no Totoro 01:31:00 – 01:41:38
30. Kaze no toori michi (The Path of the Wind)
31. Sanpo (Stroll), Vocals: Chorus + All guest singers
01:36:39 – 01:37:10 Hayao Miyazaki singing Tonari no Totoro
32. Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro), Vocals: Chorus
Thank you from Hayao Miyazaki 01:41:23
Encore 01:43:20
Porco Rosso 01:43:20 – 01:46:23
33. Madness
Princess Mononoke 01:47:35 – 01:52:19
34. Ashitaka and San
Applause for Joe Hisaishi 01:52:20 – 01:56:02
Blu-Rays of the concert may be purchased here and at other fine online retailers.
To learn more about Hisaishi-san, visit his website.
