This site is dedicated to the music of Joe Hisaishi — composer, conductor, and one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.
It covers the full range of his output: the Studio Ghibli soundtracks that have reached audiences around the world, his concert works and symphonies, his minimalist recordings, and the albums that fall somewhere in between. The focus is on depth rather than news — a resource you can return to as your interest in his music grows.
About This Site
This site is run by a long-time Hisaishi enthusiast — someone who has followed his music for over twenty years and attended more than fifty of his live concerts. It was started as a way to share what that time has taught, in a form that is useful to listeners across Europe who are encountering his work and want to go further than the programme notes allow.
The approach draws on primary sources wherever possible: his books, interviews, concert booklets, and liner notes. Much of this material exists only in Japanese, and part of the purpose of this site is to make it more accessible to an international audience.
What You’ll Find Here
The site is built around three kinds of content:
- Song & Album Reviews — Personal takes on Hisaishi’s tracks, albums, and soundtracks, with context and care.
- Features — Longer essays drawing on Japanese books and interviews about Hisaishi that are not easily accessible outside Japan.
- Sheet Music Recommendations — Guides to quality sheet music for those who want to play his music themselves.
If you are new to the site, the best place to start is the introductory essay, which explains what this site is for and why Hisaishi’s music rewards closer attention than a single concert can provide.