WORLD DREAMS
Music composed and conducted by Joe Hisaishi
Performed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano solos by Joe Hisaishi
Trumpet solos by Tim Morrison
July 20, 2004
Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center
Tochigi, Japan
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
A year after moving to Utsunomiya city in Tochigi prefecture, I was both ecstatic and surprised to find out that Joe Hisaishi would be holding a concert at the local “prefecture cultural center” (i.e. concert hall).
I mean, Utsunomiya city – really? Often described by fellow expat friends as “brown town” or “the sticks,” I just couldn’t fathom the fact that one of Japan’s most famed composers would be coming to town, but sure enough, he did!
PART 2: GETTING TICKETS
As soon as I confirmed when tickets would be going on sale, I made sure to go to the concert hall itself to purchase tickets. I’d had a few bad experiences that year lining up at the Japanese equivalent of Ticketmaster and having tickets sell out despite being first in line – and this is years before online ticket scalping became a thing!
Anyway, I got to the box office well ahead of opening time and prayed that I could get a ticket. Although I was first in line, by the time I purchased my ticket I found that I was to be seated in row J! Oh well – at least I got a ticket.
I also remember casually telling a lady friend (who was a piano teacher moonlighting as a pianist at weddings and fancy restaurants) about the concert and she actually showed up on the day. More about that later!
PART 3: SWEATING LIKE A PIG & CONCERT REPORT
I vividly recall sweating profusely as it was the peak of summer and I had to rush to the concert venue – on bicycle no less – straight after work finished. I was extremely worried that my BO would trouble the people sitting around me in the hall, but luckily nobody said anything… I think!
After humoring the audience with a light-hearted joke about Utsunomiya’s famed dumplings called “gyoza,” Hisaishi started the evening with a fabulous new piece called “World Dreams.”
Opening with trepidation and darkness, it soon gave way to a gorgeous piece full of nobility and what I can only describe as a kind of English charm – all in Hisaishi’s inimitable style.
This was followed by three classical pieces by Shostakovich and Prokofiev, and was in fact the first time I had ever heard Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” live in concert. I’d known the melody, but just never knew who had written it until that concert!
Next came a section titled “Fantasy Trumpet” with celebrated trumpeter Tim Morrison gracing the stage with his sublime trumpet playing. When he first came out and was introduced, I had to do a quick double take – was this THE Tim Morrison that had played the trumpet solos in James Horner’s APOLLO 13?? After quickly checking the program, I realized it was indeed him!
A short suite from LAPUTA opened this section with prancing strings and Morrison on trumpet. It was catchy, driving, and full of majesty.
It then segued into the iconic LAPUTA theme, with Morrison playing gorgeous trumpet variations of the theme. I remember being floored by his versatility and crystal-clear playing.
AMISTAD came next with a faithful rendition of the John Williams theme from the man who played the original trumpet solos.
The “Fantasy Trumpet” section concluded with “Cave of Mind” from HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, which at the time had yet to be released in theatres. Again, trumpet had a prominent part in this transcendent piece. As nobody had seen the movie yet, we couldn’t match the music with the stunning visuals and storytelling from this now celebrated Hayao Miyazaki film and Joe Hisaishi score.
After the intermission we were treated to a pulsating suite of music titled “007 Rhapsody.” This was a very special moment for me because it was the very first time I heard music by my favourite composer, John Barry, live in concert. Even though it wasn’t Barry himself conducting, it was still amazing!
The suite started with a pop arrangement of the “James Bond Theme” with the swing part sounding especially good. It then segued into a fine arrangement of GOLDFINGER, followed by a percussion-driven arrangement of Lionel Bart’s song for FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. It concluded with a return to the “James Bond Theme” for a rousing finish.
Henry Mancini’s iconic theme from PINK PANTHER came next in a fantastic upbeat arrangement – it’s truly impossible to not love this piece!
“The Windmills of Your Mind” from THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR followed with a gorgeous string arrangement of Michel Legrand’s melancholy theme. Woodwinds weaved in and out to play the theme.
Quincy Jones’ IRONSIDE was next and it was wildly catchy and just oozing cool. It even had some delicious jazz runs by Morrison on trumpet!
Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic theme from CHINATOWN was then performed with a gorgeous Hisaishi-esque arrangement that retained the feel of Goldsmith’s original theme. Again, Morrison carried the melody on trumpet and gave a mesmerizing performance.
A thunderous performance of Hisaishi’s “Raging Men” from BROTHER came next. It was less savage than the original recording, but was still full of energy and drive thanks to the barrage of percussion doing overtime.
For the theme from HANA-BI, we were treated to a deeply impassioned solo violin-led performance of the theme. Just gorgeous.
The main program ended with fun crowd-pleasing takes of Lalo Schifrin’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and Williams’ STAR WARS.
The evening concluded with a special encore performance of the beloved finale to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. As the theme played and the enthusiastic audience started clapping along – a rarity for Japanese audiences I might add – I remember Hisaishi turning to the audience and signaling to them to hold the clapping!
PART 4: MEETING JOE HISAISHI & WAVING TO TIM MORRISON!
When the concert ended, I followed a group of fans hoping to catch Hisaishi outside the stage door which was located in the underground parking garage of the hall. There must have been five or six of us, and we patiently waited for our hero to appear.
All of a sudden my lady friend appeared out of nowhere! I didn’t know that she had actually gotten a ticket. In any case, I’m not sure if she’d actually come to see Hisaishi or me, but I (still) like to think it was me 😊
Anyway, Tim Morrison was first to come out, and I remember us all waving to him as he quickly popped into a waiting taxi and headed for Utsunomiya station. I recall wanting to shake his hand and perhaps get him to sign my liner jacket for APOLLO 13, but alas, he was gone pretty quickly.
Minutes later Hisaishi finally came out and I was pretty awestruck – it was after all my first time meeting him and also my first time meeting a genuine celebrity! He apologetically told us that he had to rush to the station to catch the last bullet train to Tokyo, so had no time for photos or autographs. However, he approached each of us and gracefully shook our hands. I distinctly remember our eyes meeting and him wondering if I was Japanese or not! Either way, he quickly slipped into his taxi and sped away.
After some pleasant post-concert chat with my lady friend, I went home* on a high not only because of the fantastic concert, but also because of my first brush with fame!
* by bicycle of course
PART 5: CONCERT MERCH
I don’t recall what merch was on offer, but I did walk away with the gorgeously designed program – I’ve littered this review with various photos of the inside pages.
PART 6: OVER TO YOU
Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.
