A Symphonic Celebration: Music from the Studio Ghibli films of Hayao Miyazaki (Deluxe Edition)＜限定盤＞

クラシックの名門のドイツ・グラモフォンとの契約を発表した久石譲の第一弾アルバムは、なんと全曲宮崎駿監督作品に提供した自作曲を、新たなアレンジでオーケストラ録音。
《久石 譲～A Symphonic Celebration - Music from the Studio Ghibli films of Hayao Miyazaki》

ロイヤル・フィルハーモニー管弦楽団と共にロンドンで録音されたこの作品は、クラシック/J-POPアニメのどのジャンルにも通用する普遍的なサウンド。
アニメ映画界で特別な存在感を持ち愛され続けるジブリ映画と久石譲のコラボレーションの結晶となっています。

限定盤デラックス・エディションのボーナス・ディスクには、世界中でストリーミングヒットを記録している「人生のメリーゴーランド(「ハウルの動く城」より、そして「あの夏へ(「千と千尋の神隠し」より)英語ヴァージョン」の2曲を新規アレンジにて特別収録。
・デジパック仕様・日英歌詞付き。

On this delightful collection of beloved hits from the Ghibli universe, Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring these songs to life with equal parts whimsical wonder, choral heft, and lush orchestral layering. A Symphonic Celebration indeed, the spirits are unmistakably high on triumphant moments such as "Merry-Go-Round of Life" from Howls Moving Castle and the bombastic introduction to Nausicaas "The Legend of the Wind" and the percussion-heavy stomper "The Battle between Mehve and Corvette." The latter films receive the most representation here, while Kikis Delivery Service, The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, and, of course, My Neighbor Totoro all make their mark with familiar themes and deeper score cuts. While fan favorite Totoro has the honor of closing the show -- "Hey Lets Go" provides an ineffable amount of joy -- the grandeur and spiritual impact of the Princess Mononoke section is a definite standout (especially the shiver-inducing title track). Live vocals contribute to many of the highlights here, from the tender contemplation of Spirited Aways "One Summers Day," whose English-language version benefits from the angelic voice of Grace Davidson to the uplifting force of "Nausicaa Requiem" and the childlike "The Distant Days," which both feature a full choir. That blend of sweeping triumph and innocence permeates this collection, as one would expect, and the master delivers all the hits and then some. Even though there are plenty of variations of these songs, each successive collection warrants a listen. A Symphonic Celebration is no different, with Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic delivering a performance for the ages. ~ Neil Z. Yeung