Joe Hisaishi

Writing songs is a solo activity, so, if I put my mind to it, I can do it.

— Joe Hisaishi

I don't think that because l'm a composer I only have to compose music.

— Joe Hisaishi

I consider myself a part-time worker when it comes to the piano, but you need to play regularly to stay sharp.

— Joe Hisaishi

I don't want to work with directors who use music only to accentuate sound effects. I want to work with people who…

— Joe Hisaishi

Usually, I concentrate on work for a certain time, and finish when I clear a standard I set myself. But with 'Mononoke,'…

— Joe Hisaishi

When I discovered minimal music I felt I could create my vision - it was totally different to traditional music.

— Joe Hisaishi

A lot of people that come to the concerts are in their 20s. I think they come to listen to something new,…

— Joe Hisaishi

When I am on stage I am locked away in energy and in concentration. I hear and I think about nothing but…

— Joe Hisaishi

I actually don't like playing the piano or conducting the orchestra.

— Joe Hisaishi

Japanese orchestras are generally playing at quite a high level on the first day of rehearsal, but they don't improve very much…

— Joe Hisaishi

I have to think in terms of musical tempo. Let's say someone comes into a room and slowly sits down or someone…

— Joe Hisaishi

Synthesizers can be programmed with more imagination than a real, 'human' performance. It's a joyful thing.

— Joe Hisaishi

What I place most importance on is trying to create more opportunities to showcase the music, in a way that new listeners…

— Joe Hisaishi

You don't get music in your daily life, do you? Even in a movie, it's unnatural to have music. I always feel…

— Joe Hisaishi

I've largely focused on Japan my whole career, so I was interested to see how my music would be received by people…

— Joe Hisaishi

I was originally a minimalist, so that's my foundation.

— Joe Hisaishi

With streaming, everything is focused on singles. That means an artist's depth doesn't have the chance to shine through.

— Joe Hisaishi

Since 'Mononoke' has such a dramatic story, I played up the drama, emphasizing the power of a magnum opus.

— Joe Hisaishi

I don't want the World Dream Orchestra to be like a dessert whose taste is instantly forgotten as soon as you leave…

— Joe Hisaishi