Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Medley
by Joe Hisaishi
arr. Anusha Manglik TD‘21
From acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tells the story of a fearless princess in a post-apocalyptic world trying to save her kingdom from both a toxic jungle and a power-hungry queen. The movie ties darker themes, such as nuclear destruction and the relationship of man to nature, into what appears to be a harmless children’s movie.
The first collaboration with Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, the score was originally written for electronic instruments, but was later transcribed for orchestra. My arrangement focuses on four aspects of the score: the serenity of Nausicaä’s home, the Valley of the Wind; Nausicaa’s death after saving her people; the surreal experience of making contact with an ohmu; and, the happy ending (we think). Motifs of flying occur throughout the piece, alluding to Nausicaä’s vehicle of choice, a glider. I hope you enjoy my arrangement!
Program Notes by Anusha Manglik
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Medley
by Joe Hisaishi
arr. Anusha Manglik TD‘21
From acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tells the story of a fearless princess in a post-apocalyptic world trying to save her kingdom from both a toxic jungle and a power-hungry queen. The movie ties darker themes, such as nuclear destruction and the relationship of man to nature, into what appears to be a harmless children’s movie.
The first collaboration with Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, the score was originally written for electronic instruments, but was later transcribed for orchestra. My arrangement focuses on four aspects of the score: the serenity of Nausicaä’s home, the Valley of the Wind; Nausicaa’s death after saving her people; the surreal experience of making contact with an ohmu; and, the happy ending (we think). Motifs of flying occur throughout the piece, alluding to Nausicaä’s vehicle of choice, a glider. I hope you enjoy my arrangement!
Program Notes by Anusha Manglik
