Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert Music from The Studio Ghibli Films of Miyazaki

USPA NEWS - Famous japanese composer Joe Hisaishi was conducting at Palais des Congres of paris a world premiere Symphonic Concert. All shows have been sold out in only a few minutes after the opening box office a few months ago. It witnesses the passion for Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki and historical music attached to. The audience could listen during two hours some of these famous original soundtracks as "Nausicaa Legend of the Wind", "Princess Mononoké", "Chihiro". Coming from all part of France but also from whole Europe, Japan and even some American tourists, Joe Hisaishi has literally excited this public reserving also an amazing surprise at the middle of the concert. Some standing ovations and long clappings have saluted the perfect harmony between the master and the Lamoureux's Choirs and Orchestra joigned also by the presence of Mai Fujisawa and Helen Bernardy for the songs. As watching some people staying for the evenning performance, there is no doubt that his new Overlook Events'Production has deserved its success.

The sucess of Studio Ghibli Films worldwide makes no doubt. Since last few years each new animated movie is expected with great excitement. And as Hayao Miyazaki announced he would create another and last movie, the passion is growing again. But this success is also the result of a collaboration with the composer, pianist and Director's Orchestra Joe Hisaishi. His compositions become as famous as the movies. On the 9 and 10th of June he was directing a symphonic concert in Paris at "Palais des Congres" as a new world production from Overlook Events. And the shows were all sold out.

On that saturday afternoon the 10th, the metro station at Porte Maillot is full of people wearing Ghibli's T-shirts. Some would got a chance to meet Hisaishi after the show. This crowd even surprises some staff from the security at the entrance wondering about this phenomenal success. Inside the great amphitheater the enthousiasm is growing up having a look at the program that was kindly at disposal on each seat. It is a few minutes after 3PM when the organizer proudly annouces the start of the concert without any break but advertising not to move away as lights will turn on.It is time to listen music..

On stage musicians and singers from the Lamoureux"s Choir and Orchestra enter. Almost 200 persons will be part of the concert. Joe Hisaishi comes under first enthousiastic clappings, feeling happy to share live his musical themes. He seats at the piano and the first melody comes to the ears. The large screen behind tells in japanese the name of the movie and the live music accompanies some extracts of the animated movie. Now Joe Hisaishi faces the orchestra and conduct "Nausicaa Requiem". Mai Fujisawa joigns in a beautiful red dress and make the public smile with her so gracious way to multiply the La la la...

Really respectful of the small breaking time between the differents tracks, the audience is conquest and show it by large clappings again. Soprano Hélène Bernardy appears her turn on stage to sing "Princess Mononoké" while on screen french subtitles of the song are written so the share with the audience is even better. Each main theme receive success and Mathieu Sarthe -Mouréou hoodoos with his mandoline while playing extracts from "The Wind is Rising... The harmony between Joe Hisaishi and musicians is undeniable...

As some discuss about what could be the major surprise, suddenly after "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" the lights are turned on. The Orchestra leaves the stage. And from all around the Palais des Congrès respunds trumps, drums, saxophones and many others instruments. A major band is circling the audience all along the steps and in front of first raw. An amazing and special atmosphere begins. Joe Hisaishi takes real pleasure to play with the public and also conducting the band and the young choirs on stage,sometimes almost a strange cacophony... But the magic is operating...

While the second part of the concert, Joe Hisaichi stills leading us to his univers through other success as"Porco Rosso", "The Castle in the Sky" or "Chihiro'stravel". But when comes the time of "My Neigbot Totoro" the concert reaches its apogee with an infernal rythm. All part of musicians stand up groups after groups so everyone share the joy of this final part. The first standing ovation is on while expecting some bonus. Hisaishi will respond to expectations by coming back alone at the piano berfore a last general final. He seems happy as everyone with such two hours of fabulous symphonic concert.

The show is over but this world Premiere is undoubtedly a phenomenal success announcing maybe more dates to come. People take their time to come back to real life by queueing in front of the shops to get some more souvenirs. Some of them will even return at the evenning show. Undeniably the pleasure is intense. Last worlds would belong to Toshio Suzuki speaking about the collaboration between two genious. "35 years ago Joe Hisashi was meeting Hayao Miyazaki. I don't dare to imagine the consequences if destiny has not made them meet that day in that situation. I do tell it often but I think Joe Hisaishi is the unique persn that suits to Hayao Miyazaki's films...." Waiting the final project is already too long... But thanks for such a great live concert.