I was sprawled out on the floor of my childhood home when I first saw Princess Mononoke. The heady conflict between humankind’s constant consumption and nature’s inherent need for preservation flew right over my 6-year-old head. However, I do vividly recall the one-two punch of the film’s ornate animation and moving score.
In the Studio Ghibli film, the story’s hero, Ashitaka, battles industrialism and old mountain gods against a sonic backdrop of soaring violins and traditional Japanese instruments—like taiko drums and the 13-stringed koto.
Studio Ghibli’s most popular films have always featured intricate animation, endearing characters and sweeping orchestral scores—the latter of which has primarily been the work of one man. His given name is Mamoru Fujisawa, but most know him as Joe Hisaishi.
He spent the ’70s composing for various anime as Fujisawa. After releasing a pair of studio albums under his new alias, Hisaishi was tapped to compose for Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
It would only be a year later that Miyazaki would found Studio Ghibli. Upon working together, the two became great friends. In the studio’s 30-year lifespan, Hisaishi has composed for every single Miyazaki-directed release, among others.
As the centerpiece of the studio’s 2001 film, Spirited Away, the lilting “One Summer’s Day” is perhaps his best-known piece. Propelled by a singular piano, the song blossoms into full-bodied orchestration at the 1:20 mark before crashing into a heavily violin-assisted crescendo.
“A Town With an Ocean View” from Kiki’s Delivery Service does something similar. Hisaishi begins with a simple melody that evokes the titular character perfectly. As the song progresses, it meanders, stutters and stops, reflecting the coming-of-age story it scores.
Hisaishi is also known for his work with famed director Takeshi Kitano. While Miyazaki’s work has always had a family friendly tilt to it, Kitano made his name directing yakuza flicks. In response, Hisaishi’s scores took on a much darker and nihilistic tone. Opting for minimalism and unsettling synthesizer melodies where his Ghibli work swelled with traditional instrumentation.
Hisaishi will come to San Jose later this month to play movements from select Ghibli films. For this performance he will be conducting a full orchestra and choir as montages from the films play above the musicians.
Joe Hisaishi
May 25-28, Various Times, $75+
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
symphonysiliconvalley.org
