Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Eliana (class of 2027) and features a vinyl record of music from the films of Miyazaki. Thanks, Eliana!
Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
A Symphonic Celebration : Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
Joe Hisaishi is a Japanese composer, music director, pianist, and conductor most known for his collaboration with Studio Ghibli and its creator, Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animator and filmmaker. Together, they have created a number of brilliant films, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle (my personal favorite!), with amazing musical scores. Through this album, you can experience the movies without even seeing them!
This is an album that I have experienced in both a film concert and through vinyl, and in my opinion, I believe it is an amazing score no matter how you listen to it. If you are a fan of that fairytale feeling you get from watching animated movies made by companies such as Disney or Pixar, there is a chance you will love Joe Hisaishi’s music. Even without knowing the movies associated with each of the songs on this vinyl, the songs can tell you exactly how each movie will make you feel. For example, when listening to “Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea,” I can tell that the movie will give me a joyful feeling; however, do not be fooled by its childlike tone. These songs, and their respective movies, can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and they serve as background to the deep and rich stories created by Hayao Miyazaki.
This album may only appeal to specific audiences, and you might have to watch the movies to truly understand where I am coming from; however, I believe that Joe Hisaishi is a brilliant composer that conveys many feelings and emotions through music. And remember, this is only a taste of what Hisaishi has to offer! I recommend exploring his other work as well, and maybe even take a look at Miyazaki’s films so you can see the songs in action!