At the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Joe Hisaishi conducted Enchanting Escapades, a diverse and inclusive program that allows a multitude of instruments to shine.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11-26-2025
Japanese conductor Joe Hisaishi has composed more than 100 film scores as a musical virtuoso. Best known as the musical mind behind Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterworks with Studio Ghibli, Hisaishi’s scores maintain an enduring status of passionate fandom and adulation. Many people do not know that as a composer for the concert hall, Hisaishi’s musical voice is even more ambitious and distinct, honoring Japanese traditions while drawing from diverse wells of musical richness.
At the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in an inspirational weekend of music, Joe Hisaishi opened the doors to the world of his musical genius to his longtime fans and the regular devotees of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Moreover, he allowed instruments that do not usually take center stage to shine brightly in unique and dynamic compositions. The best example was in the performance’s first half when LA Phil harpist Emmanuel Ceysson gave the world premiere of Hisaishi’s Harp Concerto under the composer’s baton. Playing with passion and verve, it was clear Ceysson relished the opportunity to explore the possibilities of his instrument.
Indeed, Hisaishi also loves revealing the diversity of the harp with his Adagio for Strings and Two Harps. In this piece, the audience is taken aback by the capabilities of two harps when they playfully duel with each other. Honestly, once you hear the harps take center stage, it is easier to imagine the breadth and depth of this instrument. Far from the fairy tales of old, the harp in Hisaishi’s composition and under his conductor’s baton is a remarkably modern instrument.
In the show’s second half, Hisaishi brings out the orchestral colors in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition arranged by Ravel. Conjuring the imagery of whimsical characters and surreal scenes through the musical choices, the piece allows parts of the LA Phil orchestra that tend to back up the strings and the pianos to shine genuinely. Each player enjoyed wonderful moments with creative solos, from the clarinet and the bassoon to the trumpets and the tuba. Some long and some short, nevertheless, the generosity of Hisaishi’s musical selections allowed so many to shine brightly.
Such generosity of spirit and soul makes Joe Hisaishi so memorable with such an international and dedicated fandom. By allowing LA Phil harpist Emmanuel Ceysson to give the world premiere of his Harp Concerto, Joe Hisaishi expanded his generosity to another corner of the world. From the beginning of the show to the very end, joy filled the Walt Disney Concert Hall as the best of the LA Phil was realized during these inspired performances.
