Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Joe Hisaishi's latest release offers a compelling fusion of classical and cinematic music. The compositions, originally crafted for film soundtracks, are reimagined with orchestral arrangements that breathe new life into the pieces. The album showcases Hisaishi's signature style, blending emotive melodies with intricate orchestration. Listeners are treated to a rich auditory experience that highlights the depth and versatility of Hisaishi's work.

Review: It is at this point a given that every Joe Hisiashi / Studio Ghibli soundtrack should land on our doorsteps. Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, The Boy And The Heron, is the very latest anime fantasy film to be released through the esteemed film franchise; described as a 'big, fantastical film', it follows a boy named Mahito Maki who moves to the countryside after his mother's death, discovers an abandoned tower near his new home, and enters a fantastical world with a talking grey heron. Whereas many of Hisiashi's other soundtracks deal in wide variegations of whimsy and heart-warmth, The Boy And The Heron skews purely to the latter, working in the bare but endlessly affecting mode of solo piano, and evoking the lonely but ultimately revelatory internal process that occurs during grief. Befitting of Miyazaki's controversial decision for the film not to pander to audiences or spell out meanings, so too does Hisiashi's contribution find reams of expression in a spare, single instrument.

Review: On March 30th last year, Joe Hisaishi made a triumphant debut at the sold-out Vienna Musikverein when he conducted a program of his own compositions. Now, Deutsche Grammophon has put together the release of Joe Hisaishi in Vienna, the renowned Japanese composer, conductor, and pianist's second album for the label. This recording follows his successful debut, A Symphonic Celebration - Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki, which was one of 2023's best-selling classical albums. The follow-up features two world premiere recordings in the form of 'Symphony No. 2,' performed with the Wiener Symphoniker, and 'Viola Saga,' featuring soloist Antoine Tamestit.