Moving from Ryuichi Sakamoto to another great Japanese pianist and composer, the man behind the beautiful music to the animated Studio Ghibli films directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Also known as Mamoru Fujisawa, Hisaishi has composed for Miyazaki on all but one of his peerless animated films, as well as for another of Japan's great directors and actors, 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, including on A Scene at the Sea (1991), Sonatine (1993), and Hana-bi (1997). Hisaishi combines a variety of influences in his work, Japanese classical combined with the more western influences of classical film music, using the full orchestra, as well as electronica and minimalism. But here let's enjoy a couple of stirring songs from that best known film, Spirited Away (2001), both studio with orchestra and live solo piano versions, as well as a compilation of his works. Gloriously ethereal, spiritual, inspired by the mirth and majesty of myth, as well as capturing to harshness and tragedy within the films, the cruelty and melancholy, also a great feeling of dignity and hope.
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