Composer Joe Hisaishi signs to Deutsche Grammophon
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, March 30, 2023
The Japanese composer behind the soundtracks for the successful animated films of Studio Ghibli will release his first track of the new partnership tomorrow
German classical music record label Deutsche Grammophon has today announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Joe Hisaishi. The new partnership will encompass Hisaishi’s work as a composer, conductor and pianist, and will include releases in both audio and audio-visual formats.
The Japanese composer has gained huge success as the composer behind the soundtracks for the Studio Ghibli animations of director Hayao Miyazaki including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. Hisaishi’s first release of the new partnership (31 March) will be a new version of his work ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’ from Studio Ghibli film Howl’s Moving Castle.
Deutsche Grammophon president Dr Clemens Trautmann said: ‘Joe Hisaishi’s compositions are a fresh and genuinely original approach to symphonic music that is still rooted in the classical tradition. He reaches millions through his scores for the screen and attracts capacity audiences to all the major concert halls around the world. Together with our close partners at Universal Music Japan, we aim to document his irresistible music with signature recordings made by excellent musical partners such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wiener Symphoniker.’
The Wiener Symphoniker will be led by Hisaishi in his Vienna Musikverein debut tonight (30 March). As part of the orchestra’s new concert series CINEMA:SOUND the composer-conductor will conduct a sold out concert of his own works, written for both screen and concert hall.
With over 100 film scores and around 30 studio albums under his belt, Hisaishi has gained fame both in Japan and worldwide. His soundtracks have won eight Japanese Academy Awards, with further accolades including the the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Music Prize and the International Film Music Critics Association Award for Television Division Best Original Score. In November 2009, he received the Medal of Honour with purple ribbon from the Government of Japan
Hisaishi’s first album with Deutsch Grammophon is set to be released in June. A Symphonic Celebration will include recordings of his original soundtracks for classic Studio Ghibli films. Recorded in London by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by the composer, these works have been newly arranged by Hisaishi for symphony orchestra.
Talking about this new partnership, Hisaishi said: ‘I love the fact that Deutsche Grammophon pays special attention to both creativity and sound quality. Working with its team of dedicated professionals to conjure new symphonic worlds for classical music-lovers will be a joy.’
