Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Tonight, I got to see Joe Hisaishi live - the genius behind the music of the Ghibli Films - a dream I never expected to occur in my lifetime. This was his first performance in North America ever, and to have it so close to my university campus was exceptionally lucky. The performance was amazing: 2 hours of music from Nausicaa, Kiki's, Mononoke, The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, Howl, Spirited Away, and Totoro! All arrangements of the songs were fresh, even getting into some jazzy arrangements. And besides all the amazing musicians and choir, they even brought in a marching band from the back of the concert hall for some songs! Thank you to the hundreds of talented musicians and Hisaishi for making this a splendidly unforgettable night! Now I can't wait to rewatch all of these wonderful movies!

Thanks to user LordGroose for helping me out with the titles!

Title: Madness - Flight (狂気~飛翔~)
Composer: Joe Hisaishi (久石 譲)
Anime: Porco Rosso (紅の豚)

Title: Ashitaka and San (アシタカとサン)
Composer: Joe Hisaishi (久石 譲)
Anime: Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫)

The performance was provided by Symphony Silicon Valley at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.