It is filled with invisible spirits and steaming food, which the parents steal. A human family discovers an abandoned amusement park, a remnant of human pollution.

The 2001 critically-acclaimed film вЂњSpirited AwayвЂќ shows the consequences of human greed. The turbulent beginning with banged chords and forceful arpeggios reflects the tragedy of a polluted world, later melting into a bright tune, as Nausicaa fights to protect the Toxic JungleвЂ™s creatures and her own people in the Valley of the Wind.

In вЂњFantasiaвЂќ from вЂњNausicaa,вЂќ Hisaishi creates a hopeful melody, which stands out against the dark undertones of the film. Breathing air outside is lethal without a mask. Massive pollution-tolerant insects and plants have taken over. In вЂњNausicaГ¤ of the Valley of the Wind,вЂќ humans have poisoned the earth, making it into the Toxic Jungle. With вЂњAshitaka and San,вЂќ a contemplative, colorful melody accompanies natureвЂ™s rebirth. When humans are violent (against each other and nature), HisaishiвЂ™s music descends into fearful string slides, booming percussion and ominous brass. In the вЂњPrincess Mononoke Suite,вЂќ a mournful, grandiose theme pairs with MiyazakiвЂ™s sublime natural landscapes. Hisaishi perfectly complements this story with his music. Eventually, a human shoots the forest spirit, which leads to terrible consequences for both the forest and the town. The factories in the humanвЂ™s Irontown pump out inky smoke, dumping sludge in the river. GhibliвЂ™s вЂњPrincess MononokeвЂќ anthropomorphizes nature as benevolent forest spirits, suffering at the hands of humans. He has written more than 100 film scores and albums, including scores for вЂњPrincess Mononoke,вЂќ вЂњMy Neighbor TotoroвЂќ and вЂњSpirited Away.вЂќ He has won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Music seven times, and in 2009, the Japanese government granted him a Medal of Honor. HisaishiвЂ™s distinctive style blends European classical, Japanese classical, minimalism and electronic music. His magical melodies have revolutionized Japanese film music, beginning with GhibliвЂ™s вЂњNausicaГ¤ of the Valley of the WindвЂќ in 1981. Joe Hisaishi is often hailed as the John Williams of Japan. The top tracks are definitely his Studio Ghibli soundtracks. 21, 2020, should be at the top of everyoneвЂ™s quarantine playlist. HisaishiвЂ™s remastered compilation album вЂњDream Songs: The Essential Joe Hisaishi,вЂќ released on Feb. His soundtracks for Studio GhibliвЂ™s pro-environmental films, paired with Hayao MiyazakiвЂ™s stunning visuals, make us reflect on how we treat the Earth. On this 50th Earth Day, one potent reminder of humanityвЂ™s relationship with nature lies in the music of Joe Hisaishi. вЂњDream SongsвЂќ was originally released Feb. Joe HisaishiвЂ™s 2020 compilation album вЂњDream Songs.вЂќ (Courtesy of Decca Gold)Д®ditors note: All quarantine playlist picks are throwback album reviews.

Joe hisaishi 2020