Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @12:38 am
Someone reminded me again of the movie "Departures".
I watched this in January, i think. On a Friday night.
The Japanese film left me leaving the theatre filled with emotion and thought. While (yes, i did cry, again) I did sob myself silly in the theatre, a lot of other words, pictures, scenes and what not, played in my mind while the show was screening.
I remember thinking about how fragile life is. Haha I know it is cliched, and i always didnt like how people tell me life is fragile. but i couldnt help but realise how true it was, that a person can be well alive and next to you today, and be away with the Lord or gone forever, tomorrow.
Departures, death - It's hard to fathom, really.
and to make the movie even more emotional, the music was so heart grabbing and prolly only to me (out of the whole group of us who went to watch it together), very tear jerking. I could somehow sense the heart of the composer when he wrote the music - i could feel the emotion that, when coupled with the music, the actor portrayed almost perfectly.
Of course that brings me to the main point of this entry - the music of the man behind the very intriguing music soundtrack of Okuribito, the movie.
The music of Joe Hisaishi.
I was just listening back at the entire album again. and although this is probably the 100th time i've heard the pieces, a lot of strange emotion is pulled back out of me. the heart again feels a tug and a little ache for awhile. until now i've no idea what in the music causes the ache. but to draw out emotion like that with just a piece of music, says a lot about the writer of the music.
I'd first heard his music in band arrangements for "Mononoke Hime" and "An Animation Medley". Already, i was deeply moved by the sensational melodies of the music. I'm not an expert in music here, so it's very difficult to describe the steange attraction i have to Joe Hisaishi's music.
The best thing was I actually seem pulled to ALL his soundtracks particularly. Howl's Moving Castle, one of my all-time favourite animes with an all-time favourite soundtrack, was one of them. I was so drawn to the music - more than that of the very famous and critically acclaimed Spirited Away.
then i was watching a Korean drama series: the Legend (the one with Bae Yong Jun)
and somehow i recognised his style of music - i said to myself,"sounds a bit like the mononoke hime soundtrack" and when i googled the soundtrack, there i saw his name on all the tracks and secretly gave myself a pat on my back, saying, "well done, you recognised him".
then came Okuribito - again i was absolutely drawn to the melody and the ability to draw out so much emotion from me when i listen to the music - so i googled again and there his big name was, Joe Hisaishi.
and the third instant - although this is quite a not-so-young movie, i only recently got to hear on the radio or TV the soundtrack of "A Chinese Tall Story". again i thought the music was nice, and googled it. Guess whose name I saw there?
No prizes for guessing :P
My point is, Joe Hisaishi is truly one of the greatest modern day composers i know. I mean, there are prolly others who are fabulous too, but as far as I'm concerned, he's my fav. and a great pianist and live performer too. I will give up a day at work to go see him live if he ever holds a concert in Singapore. And to show my support, i will make sure i get the best seat i can.
so looking forward to his arrival in Singapore, here's my standing ovation to Joe Hisaishi-sama
BRAVO!