Joe Hisaishi: SYMPHONY NO.3 "Metaphysica"/ HARP CONCERTO

An ambitious work that opens up new possibilities for contemporary orchestral music.
A harp concerto featuring dynamic and powerful solo passages that leave a vivid impression, and Symphony No. 3, commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New Japan Philharmonic.

* The new album by internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi features "Symphony No. 3 (Metaphysica)", recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and "Harp Concerto", a technically demanding new work written specifically for renowned harpist Emmanuel Seison.

"Harp Concerto" was jointly commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Opera National de Bordeaux, the Philharmonie de Paris, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. On November 14, 2024, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, conducted by Hisaishi himself and performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the orchestra's principal harpist, Seison. It is a work that leaves a vivid impression with its dynamic and powerful solo part, overturning the conventional image of the harp as an elegant and gentle instrument.

"Symphony No. 3 (Metaphysica)" was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New Japan Philharmonic and premiered in 2021 under Hisaishi's own baton. Conceived as an exploration of "the kinetic nature of sound," this symphony consists of three movements titled "existence," "where are we going?," and "substance." While each is grounded in a strictly controlled rhythmic and harmonic structure, they evolve into a vivid and expressive musical world.

These two works vividly showcase the figure of composer Joe Hisaishi, who continues to pursue challenging creative endeavors, and are ambitious works that open up new possibilities for contemporary orchestral music.