Milan Records today releases STUDIO CHIZU MUSIC JOURNEY VOL. 1 – CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA 2022, a live performance album of music from the acclaimed films of Studio Chizu. Available everywhere now, the album features Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra’s live performance of music from Mamoru Hosoda’s films, a special one-night concert event that took place in August 2022 in front of a sold-out audience of 5,000 people. The success of the concert prompted the release of the live album, allowing those unable to attend the event to experience their favorite music from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, and BELLE.
The August 2022 concert featured a live performance of 30 pieces of music from Mamoru Hosoda’s acclaimed filmography, performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and paired with footage and scenes from each film. Led by conductor Hirofumi Kurita, the performance also includes appearances from Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast and Mirai composer Masakatsu Takagi on piano, as well as vocal performances by Hanako Oku for the theme song for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Ann Sally for the Wolf Children theme song. Included in the concert were riveting performances of iconic songs like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’s “Garnet,” Wolf Children’s “Mother’s Song,” The combination of the orchestra’s full-bodied sound and iconic scenery can be seen with the official music video for Wolf Children track “Kito Kito – Dance of Your Nature” featuring composer Masakatsu Takagi on piano – WATCH HERE.
Of the performance and album, composer Masakatsu Takagi says: “For the past several years, I had been playing only with mountain creatures, wind, and thunder at home, so the experience of performing with people, and it was a lot of people, for the first time in a while was a bit of a surprise/shock for me emotionally and physically, and I was shocked to find myself feeling that way. In addition to meetings, we had rehearsals but I was not able to match the conductor or the sound, and I have never felt so ashamed of myself for not being able to play at all. I usually don’t do this, but I practiced over and over again while listening to a metronome until the performance. I laugh when I think back on it, but these things happen in life. On the day of the performance, I surrendered myself to the orchestra’s performance, and was struck by Ann Sally’s singing as I played the piece without a care in the world.”
Featured singer Hanako Oku adds: “It was an honor to perform with a wonderful orchestra, and I remember seeing the animation on the big screen and how it felt in the venue moved me so much. It was such a special time we spent together on that special day, and I’m happy that we are able to bring it to you again as a CD and via digital platforms. I hope you enjoy the album.”
Singer Ann Sally concludes: “The performance with Masakatsu Takagi and the orchestra was a moving time that I will never forget. We performed a new version of ‘Cradle of Myriad Stars’ which we added lyrics to for the first time and ‘Mother’s Song.’ I hope to share the wonderful performance of that day with many of you.”
STUDIO CHIZU MUSIC JOURNEY VOL. 1 – CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA 2022 TRACKLISTING
DISC 1:
The Boy and the Beast
- The Beast Festivities
- Stray Boy
- Child Full of Life
- A Sword in Your Soul
Wolf Children
- Cradle of Myriad Stars*+
- Kito Kito – Dance of Your Nature*
- Home After Rain*
- Mother’s Song*+
Summer Wars
- Virtual City Oz
- KING KAZMA
- Sakae in Action
- Ichioku Gosenmanno Kiseki
- The Summer Wars
DISC 2:
Mirai
- Miraino Teema
- Trans Train*
- Marginalia Song*
- Of Angels*
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
- Natsuzora
- Sketch
- Shoujono Fuan
- Karakuridokei – Time Leap
- Kawaranai Mono^
BELLE
- U
- Gales of Song
- Dragon’s Lair
- Lend Me Your Voice
- Faces in the Rain
- A Million Miles Away (reprise)
BONUS TRACKS (ENCORE):
Summer Wars
- Overture of the Summer Wars
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
- Garnet^
Source: Press Release
