I don't care what you try to sell me, or if you think I'm crazy. But this man alone (though not the only reason) puts Studio Ghibli above Disney. Music is by far one of the most important components of movies. Sure, Under the Sea is a catchy tune, but don't try and tell me that it is better than THIS. No, Hate me all you want, but here's the truth. Disney songs have no life, no deep meanings. They are sparse, simple, and quite frankly, boring. And how do they think they make up for it? They add lyrics, which is really quite pitiful. The music for movies such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle In the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away, are quite the opposite. Theses songs are rich and majestic. Beautiful and moving. Masterful and complex. Everything that Disney songs are not.
Howl's Moving Castle. Just an amazing movie. Though not as heralded as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle certainly ranks among the best. A captivating storyline, vivid imagery, fitting and trancing music make Howl's Moving Castle a masterpiece. The video below is a live performance of "Merry Go Round" with an orchestra and Joe Hisaishi himself.
First off, man, what I would given to have been in Hisaishi's shoes. Playing the piano and conducting just a masterful and breathtaking song would be an incredible experience. Throughout this video, you can just tell how passionate Hisaishi is about his music. He wills every phrase, every note, into its own unique purpose, own meaning. The way he divides the melodies up, the way he weaves voices together is like that of a master, a true musician.
Piano solo at the opening, introducing the main theme. Just love this theme. Gorgeous and moving. Strings join in then followed by an oboe solo which leads into the waltz.
Really cool how he has each of the different instruments have the melody without making it sound like Bolero. He has a lot of fun countermelodies and ornaments that weave in and out of the melodies that adds flavor to the waltz. Love the flute decorations.
Man look at 2:00. I've never seen such great passion about music.
Just beautiful. Words can't describe how magnificent this piece is. Just listen and enjoy.
I hope that you have been enlightened and now love this song.
Now go eat some rice and watch Howl's Moving Castle.
Ray
Piano solo at the opening, introducing the main theme. Just love this theme. Gorgeous and moving. Strings join in then followed by an oboe solo which leads into the waltz.
Really cool how he has each of the different instruments have the melody without making it sound like Bolero. He has a lot of fun countermelodies and ornaments that weave in and out of the melodies that adds flavor to the waltz. Love the flute decorations.
Man look at 2:00. I've never seen such great passion about music.
Just beautiful. Words can't describe how magnificent this piece is. Just listen and enjoy.
I hope that you have been enlightened and now love this song.
Now go eat some rice and watch Howl's Moving Castle.
Ray
I just found your blog, and I really excited to give a comment. I agree with your opinion about music on ghibli. For me, especially music "Merry go around" in Howl moving castle was very amazing. I don't know, it was just me or every single person feel this emotion. But after heard this song, it's such touched my deep heart, and I don't know I feel sad somehow, sometimes afraid to hear again, maybe because the melody is very amazing. And I wondering, what's the message from this song? Maybe if you know, please tell me further, thankyou for write this blog! 🙂
ReplyDeleteOmg! I thought I was the only one! When I first heard this piece I felt sad for some reason, my heart started hurting from that sadness and I wasn’t sure why. It made me cry. The more I listened to it I suddenly felt like laughing because of the somewhat jazzy tone, idk it just made me happy. The only way I could describe that experience (based on the movie ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ and the title of the piece ‘Merry-Go-Round’) it was like being nostalgic, or retelling an old memory in your death bed; remembering your days as a strong and sturdy youth, experiencing ups and downs in life, facing the scary and beautiful things of the world, then it all ends and you close your eyes forever...
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