With the release of Hisaishi Joe's soundtrack for Miyazaki Hayao's masterpiece "Castle in the Sky" in Europe, fans could already choose between three Ghibli movies in November 2011. Like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and My Neighbour Totoro before, Castle in the Sky was released as a pretty Digipak in a cardboard sleeve, decorated with plenty of pictures, and once again a special bonus was offered. As for Castle in the Sky, another studio diary in English of Hisaishi was chosen, revealing what he wrote during his work for the movie which was released in 1986.
His music for this rousing animated film is very hard to describe. He is playing with emotions like joy, freedom, amazement, determination, fear and sorrow. These are very often combined with each other in a way that will send shivers running down your spine, make your heart beat harder, or have you fighting against tears. The first contact with a mix of happy flutes and melancholic sounding strings comes with the first track, The Girl Who Fell From the Sky. The strings and wind instruments play wonderfully with the theme of Laputa and the emotions of the listener. Cheerful and almost light-hearted, the song Morning in the Slag Ravine takes you along. Then the basic mood changes into something magical, evoking imagery of a sunrise and nature coming to life. Only a few seconds later a single trumpet tells of the upcoming daybreak - which could summarize the second track. However, a mixture of pursuit, feeling of unease and soft "hiding" melodies determines the third title. Memories of Gondoa comes with enchanting and soft sounds that let the listener dream. Simultaneously, the song possesses a thoughtful, ominous and slight melancholic touch, and offers a fast change of the basic mood. The next track is also of the sad sort and accompanies the discouraged Pazu. Especially outstanding in this track are the strings and piano. The first goose pimples are provided by the threatening start of Robot Soldier [Resurrection - Rescue]. But the track also offers a true-blue theme full of pace and chase.
The featured theme song Carrying you (original title: Kimi wo nosete) was heard several times by now during the soundtrack, but this choir version features the Suginami Children's Choir. Due to this combination, it becomes a partly wistful and partly hopeful piece of music. The lonely piano melody of Sheeta's Decision moves somewhere between lightness and sad determination. The subsequent On the Tiger Moth presents itself as more funny and lively then. The track is very entertaining and plays with various themes, for example the main theme and an oriental one. An Omen to Ruin fully breaks with the happy mood and provides goose pimples again instead. Dark, threatening and overpowering is the background sound that greets you here. A bit later, the pace increases, creating a feeling of being chased again. Clear, calmer but very thoughtful sounds arise in the following A Sea of Clouds in the Moonlight. Feelings of regret are evoked by this piano accompanied music. Subsequently the time for the musical journey through Castle in the Sky has eventually come. The song is a beautiful, developing classic piece full of warmth, freedom, boundlessness and humility. The destruction of Laputa in the next track puts itself in the limelight with only the devout children's choir, needing no further instruments. The effective closure of the soundtrack is another version of Carrying You. Opening with the oriental theme one last time (this time blended with liberating strings and a lively pace), the actual song then starts. Hisaishi was able to successfully obtain the vocal support of Inoue Azumi for this track (a few years later both worked together again on My Neighbour Totoro).
Europe had to wait for the release of this timeless masterpiece on our continent a very long time. But the music was worth the effort of waiting. Hisaishi Joe's Castle in the Sky is entertaining and eventful, and plays with our emotions with ease. Pluses include the additional little extras and the nice package style.
