Style: Brass quintet, classical
Primary Emotions/Themes: Joy, sorrow, wonder, exploration, high fantasy
Thoughts: So this is a bit of an oddball in my collection. Normally when I see an album like this... a small ensemble playing music from a specific series or artist - it's a string quartet or a violin and piano. This is a brass quintet. I hardly ever see brass used in this manner, and even less so with five people instead of four.
This album was originally released on CD in the early 90's in one volume. The record version has two entries with this being the first. The artwork has been split between the two releases as well, but the entirety of the release has been preserved in two records, nothing has been cut.
This album is almost good by default. The source music is so good to start that there was almost no way that this was going to be bad. It would have to be the worst arrangements I've ever heard to create an unlikable album. I'm happy to report that this is not the case here.
Brass Fantasia is exactly what is reports to be, it is a wonderful brass arrangement of Joe Hisaishi's first few movie soundtracks. I'm going to be as transparent as I can here. Mr. Hisaishi's music is some of my favorite for the film medium. Actually it's just some of my favorite music. This gives me a huge bias.
I was a bit concerned that the music wouldn't translate well to the brass format. Trumpets in particular have a bright sound to them that can dominate the ears. On top of this they demand attention... I was afraid that they would drown out the music and remove the sense of magic and mystery that the originals soundtracks have.
Whoever they got to play this though.. they are immaculate. The brass has a delicate precision to it that I would never have expected. I know its possible of course, but again... brass is not the medium I associate with this. I think big bold sounds, not peaceful and mystical compositions. Something you would get from Wagner... not something you can compare to a a Chopin piano piece.
Once I acclimated, the brass sweeps me away into other lands, other worlds. Places where magical landscapes take over and I'm coming along for the ride. I love closing my eyes to this and remembering my favorite scenes.
Flying on a broom in Kiki's Delivery Service, standing in the rain next to Totoro, standing in the courtyard of Laputa. For just a few minutes, I'm a kid again. This is the magic of Ghibli, this is why I love this music so much. It's woven into my DNA. Like so much of the best music out there it recalls simpler times... better times.
Written December 22nd 2023
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