Thanks for the article, Thor! Hisaishi is slowly coming closer to the top of my favourite composer list. But I much prefer his scores to live action movies to his anime scores.
I'm inclined to agree. While I love his Miyazaki scores, I feel his Takeshi Kitano scores, for example, have become 'overshadowed' somewhat. Every Hisaishi fan should own the Kitano compilation they did together.
Don't forget Cloud on the Slope (Saka No Ue No Kumo). Three part, three CDs, impossible to choose. All the three are symphonic masterworks. So this alone would make three favourite on the list
I also love Okuribito. Unforgettable main theme.
Yes Cloud on the Slope is lovely. Just wish he would have picked a different singer. So many lovely tracks. Another of my favorites that is not mentioned here is Tenchi Meisatsu (????). It is one I come back to regularly. I also really love some of the action tracks on Lady Nobunaga. Almost forgot, A Tale Of Ululu's Wonderful Forest is also lovely.
I'll admit it, try as I have over the years, I never really "got" Hisaishi. In theory, he should be exactly right up my alley, in terms of my musical taste. But today, my Youtube music app randomly played the Cloud on the Slope selection from Melodyphony, and my ears perked up. I think I have finally found my way in to an appreciation of this gifted composer...
I haven't yet seen any films Hisaishi has scored... but based on things I have heard on the radio and on youtube, I feel no/very little connection to his musical world. At times it seems quite derivative (wow, a film composer being accused of being derivative lol). Anyone else not connecting with his music?
I haven't yet seen any films Hisaishi has scored... but based on things I have heard on the radio and on youtube, I feel no/very little connection to his musical world. At times it seems quite derivative (wow, a film composer being accused of being derivative lol). Anyone else not connecting with his music?
If you're not absolutely moved by the concert I don't know what to say. Different strokes for different folks!
I've acquired a few more Hisaishis since my earlier 2018 post in this thread, when I only owned MIRACLE APPLES and bits and bobs on compilations. They're all great, but none are terribly original choices: They're all Ghibli classics like NAUSICAA, TOTORO, KIKI, MONONOKE, SPIRITED AWAY. But I've also opened my eyes and ears to his nifty work for Kitano -- there's even a nice compilation out there highlighting their collaboration. More moody and urban, but with depth.
