Joe Hisaishi to Release New Album on Deutsche Grammophon

On March 30th this year, German record label Deutsche Grammophon announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, whose music animation fans around the world will likely recognize from the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

It was noted that the deal will “deliver a richly varied range of audio and audiovisual recordings” that will span “the full spectrum of Hisaishi’s work as composer, conductor and pianist”.

For his first album with the label, A Symphonic Celebration, Hisaishi has created a series of symphonic arrangements of his original soundtracks for Ghibli works such as "Spirited Away", "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbor Totoro". The album was recorded in London by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hisaishi.

In advance of the release on June 30th, the label issued two preceding digital singles. These included new versions of Merry-Go-Round of Life from “Howl’s Moving Castle” and Mother’s Broom from “Kiki’s Delivery Service”.

The album will be available digitally, as well as on CD and vinyl. Links to download and stream the album will become available here on the release date, while physical editions can be purchased here.

Joe Hisaishi commented:

“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.”

Universal Music Japan’s President/CEO Naoshi Fujikura commented:

“Our work with Joe Hisaishi, an artist with a brilliant career spanning over 40 years and multiple award-winning recordings, has always been a source of pride. We are truly proud to work with our friends at Deutsche Grammophon to bring his captivating scores to an even wider audience worldwide.”

Deutsche Grammophon’s General Manager Classic Kleopatra Sofroniou commented:

“During our first studio sessions together last summer, Joe Hisaishi enchanted the recording crew and musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with his thorough musicality, conducting authority and friendly manner. We feel honoured to have the opportunity of working with him on future audio and audiovisual productions.”

Deutsche Grammophon’s President Dr. Clemens Trautmann commented:

“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.”

A trailer for A Symphonic Celebration can be viewed below, followed by videos for the new versions of Merry-Go-Round of Life and Mother’s Broom.