Joe Hisaishi in Concert

Joe Hisaishi in Concert

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

Reviewed: November 23

Best known among local audiences for his score to Hayao Miyazaki's popular animated features such as Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi conducted the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in this sold-out, one-night only concert.

True to form, the evening began with a movie soundtrack, although surprisingly not from the Miyazaki repertoire, but from a 1993 Japanese movie, The Water Traveller (also known as Samurai Kids). This was followed by another less familiar tune, a romantic ballad from his solo album Works I, entitled For You.

Feet started tapping when the orchestra performed what most of the audience had come to hear: music from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle. Listening to these epic, sweeping orchestral pieces live was an awe-inspiring experience. The symphonic variation on Merry Go Round from Howl's Moving Castle, featuring gushing strings and playful percussion, was a highlight.