Joe Hisaishi's Second Symphony Soars

The world of classical music is thrilling with the arrival of Joe Hisaishi's second Yellow Label album, "Joe Hisaishi in Vienna." This release follows hot on the heels of Hisaishi's history-making three-night residency at Madison Square Garden, a feat unmatched by any classical artist previously. The album's centrepiece is Hisaishi's Second Symphony, a landmark achievement in his remarkable five-decade career.

Born in 1950, Hisaishi's musical odyssey began with the violin at the age of four. He blossomed into a multifaceted musician, conquering jazz, electronica, piano, and conducting with equal ease. Though globally renowned for his film scores, especially his collaborations with Hayao Miyazaki for classics like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, Hisaishi remains a devoted composer of concert works.

The Second Symphony's genesis came amidst an unexpected pause. The global pandemic forced a welcome break in Hisaishi's usually frenetic schedule. "It was an opportunity to create something truly grand," he reflects. Drawing upon his signature minimalist style and the influence of revered composers like Gustav Mahler (whose admiration extends to a charming replica of Mahler's Austrian Alps composing hut!), Hisaishi completed this expansive three-movement work in a mere two years—a stark contrast to the eight years spent on his previous symphony.

Hisaishi's brilliance lies in his ability to seamlessly blend Japanese and Western classical traditions. This is particularly evident in the third movement, aptly titled "Nursery Rhyme." A recurring motif, sourced from a Japanese children's song, becomes the foundation for a captivating minimalist piece. His masterful score for The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, which interweaves a traditional Japanese nursery rhyme with koto music, echoes this.

"Joe Hisaishi in Vienna" is now available digitally, on CD, and vinyl. The album includes the world premiere recordings of Symphony No. 2, captured live with the Wiener Symphoniker, as well as the Viola Saga, featuring renowned soloist Antoine Tamestit. Don't miss this chance to experience the magic of Hisaishi's Second Symphony, a work that exemplifies his ever-evolving musical genius.