Hisaishi Leads Pictures at an Exhibition at Walt Disney Concert Hall

The multitalented Joe Hisaishi has composed more than 100 film scores and is best known as the musical mind behind nearly all of famed Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki’s films with Studio Ghibli, earning him widespread recognition and admiration for his scores’ beloved and enduring status. As a composer for the concert hall, Hisaishi’s musical voice is even more ambitious and distinct, honoring Japanese music traditions while drawing inspiration in everything from western symphonic tradition, jazz, pop to electronic, new age, and minimalism. LA Phil harpist Emmanuel Ceysson gives the world premiere of Hisaishi’s Harp Concerto under the composer’s baton, and Hisaishi further explores his love of the instrument with his Adagio for Strings and Two Harps on Thursday and Sunday. Hisaishi then brings out the orchestral colors in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition arranged by Ravel, which conjures its own Ghibli-esque sense of wonder by conjuring imagery of whimsical characters and surreal scenes.