After performing his Studio Ghibli hits last year at Wembley, Joe Hisaishi has returned to the UK for a couple of stints at the Royal Albert Hall.
Not to be reduced to the cinematic scores of Hayao Miyazaki movies he is best known for, the Japanese composer, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, began his latest concert with his own self-titled Symphony 2.
Moving from chaotic to twinkly melodies, the cheerful conductor took his enraptured audience, many of whom were his native Japanese, through a 40-minute musical journey before the interval.
Kicking off the second half with a “When in London” rendition of Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, it wasn’t long before the Ghibli fans were given an incredible treat.
For almost half an hour, Hisaishi conducted the white tie-clad orchestra through his Princess Mononoke Symphonic Suite.
This epic tour through the 90s classic took us from the delights of the Legend of Ashitaka theme through the tumultuous charge of The Demon God and beyond.
When it came to the encore (there were several), Hisaishi was met by an audible gasp from the audience as he began a piano solo of One Summer’s Day from Spirited Away before concluding with World Dreams.
Overall, it was an enchanting and gorgeous evening for film fans nostalgic for Ghibli magic and classic music enthusiasts alike.
