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September 17, 2011

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Hisaishi's songs are dreamlike

JAPANESE composer Joe Hisaishi is known for his work on film scores, especially in collaboration with animation master Hayao Miyazaki.

Totoro Band will perform 13 of Hisaishi's songs next Sunday at Shanghai Oriental Art Center, including "One Summer's Day" from the award-winning animated film "Spirited Away" and "Ballade" from the movie "Brother." Also on the set list is "The Wind of Life," "Friends," "Madness" and other tunes from Miyazaki's films.

Hisaishi has composed more than 100 film scores since 1981. His music explores and incorporates different genres, including minimalism, experimental electronic, European classical and Japanese classical.

He first worked with Miyazaki in 1983, composing the score for "Valley of the Wind."

Their other collaborations include "The Castle in the Sky" (1986), "Kiki's Delivery Service" (1989), "Spirited Away" (2001) and "Howl's Moving Castle" (2004). Parts of these scores will be performed by the Totoro Band in Shanghai.

Hisaishi isn't afraid to use different types of music. He used Irish folk songs in "The Castle in the Sky," American country music in "Kiki's Delivery Service" and traditional Japanese music in "Princess Monoke."

He often creates dreamlike feelings, leaving room for the audience to imagine, which coincides with how Miyazaki works.

"I hope that I can always keep my childlike side, and always remain curious about life," the composer once said.



Date: September 25, 7:30pm

Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong

Tickets: 120-580 yuan

Tel: 962-388




 

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