Since 2004, Joe Hisaishi is the musical manager of World Dream Orchestra, the Japanese philharmonic orchestra. This DVD introduces 3 concerts given in 2004, on 2005 and 2006 titles respectively:
World Dream,
American In Paris, Psycho Horror Night.
Hisaishi in position of conductor but also of present pianist some some of the nicest compositions coming from films in which he participated: Princess Mononoké, The Castle in the Sky,
Nausicaä... He offers such different resumptions: classics such as Carmina Burana de Carl Orff, the Bolero of
Ravel, Romeo and Juliet de Prokofiev...
On the whole, the sound quality of the DVD is very good and allows to use the sound in 5.1. The orchestra is very well filmed by staying over the game of instruments. The DVD allows to achieve a track precisely or a concert in its wholeness. Group of punctuated with interviews of Joe Hisaishi in Japanese but any English or French subtitle is available.
On the whole concerts allow to appreciate different music styles, emphasise some instruments (
taikos...) and offer during the third concert a mixed chorus. The opening of the concert is given by a nice melody played violoncellos and resumption by the orchestra.
Hisaishi links then by the theme of
Nausicaä in the Valley of the Wind of which introduction is regulated by timpani. He interprets then himself theme in the piano. First forte of the concert: the theme of
Laputa, The Castle in the Sky interpreted by the trumpet player soloist Timothy Morrison. The rousing melody, peculiar to
Hisaishi leaves place in a more melancholic variation of theme. This style of composition is very characteristic of compositor but also more generally Asiatic culture. This passage is not without reminding of the music of games videos Japanese such as
Final Fantasy: very notable theme, rhythmic, many impetus
pizzicatos... The theme of princess Mononoké does not infringe with a ruler. it is about a
medley taking back the central melody of
Ashi Taka and
San on one hand in violoncellos, violins then piano before a splendid final
tutti.
Some instants are more atypical as the use of a shooting gun to mark a break in the piece. The interpretations of writings of other compositors are masterly: Romeo and Juliet de Prokofiev, the Bolero of
Ravel. The chorus brings an extraordinary power on titles such as
Carmina Bura or Requiem " Dies Irae ". To note also the interpretation of the theme of the film the Exorcist.
In the final, the DVD, good quality, takes back enough pieces of different styles to satisfy us. Some people will appreciate to hear simply compositions of
Hisaishi, others will pay attention to the interpretation of resumptions... Anyhow, Joe Hisaishi enjoys to drive this orchestra and if you want to hear him, the DVD is rather rare to find. You would not should hesitate to turn to occasion or platforms of auctions.
UDUN
