Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi is further expanding his relationship with Deutsche Grammophon, part of Universal Music Group.
Deutsche Grammophon has lined up a new programme of releases, alongside Hisaishi’s extensive international touring across North America, Europe and Asia. The composer recently broke three Guinness World Records for his concerts at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Tokyo Dome.
Hisaishi has also become one of Japan’s most prominent cultural ambassadors, amassing more than 2.5 billion global streams across his recorded music catalogue to date.
His 2023 debut album on Deutsche Grammophon, A Symphonic Celebration (Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki), has generated more than 200 million streams to date. It topped the classical chart in the US (setting a modern-era vinyl sales record for a classical album in a single week that year), peaked at No. 74 on the main US albums chart and reached No. 1 across multiple international classical charts.
Most recently, Hisaishi received three Guinness World Records recognising two landmark concert runs (the Hollywood Bowl and Tokyo Dome) and the longest single-run residency by a classical composer (Radio City Music Hall).
His renewed recording agreement with Deutsche Grammophon – which marks the continuation of a long-standing artistic partnership – will see the release of a new slate of symphonic suites based on Hisaishi’s celebrated Studio Ghibli film scores over the coming years.
Setting the stage for the forthcoming series, the recently announced Symphonic Suite: The Boy And The Heron for piano and orchestra will be released on November 6. The world premiere recording, made with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, presents a work recomposed from his Golden Globe-nominated score of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli film. The original soundtrack has been transformed into a standalone concert piece for solo piano and orchestra.
His extraordinary achievements, coupled with the continued growth of his global audience, reaffirm his position as one of the world’s most important contemporary classical composers
Moema Parrott
“I am very excited about this new phase across so many facets of my career,” said Joe Hisaishi. “I look forward to having my dream of getting my music out to the widest audience through my live concerts, albums and all ways possible, come true.”
“Joe Hisaishi’s extraordinary worldwide success – spanning both the worlds of film music and classical performance – is a testament to the power of his profound artistry and uniquely original scores,” said Dr Clemens Trautmann, president of Deutsche Grammophon and new business strategy Global Classics, and Kleopatra Sofroniou, general manager, Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, in a joint statement.
“It has been immensely rewarding to witness his reputation and audience continue to grow on a truly global scale. We are incredibly grateful to everyone around the world who has contributed to these projects, and to Joe and his creative management teams in Tokyo and London for their continued partnership and dedication. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans that will include several new recordings in original composition and film music, alongside collaborations with some of the world’s leading orchestras.”
Moema Parrott, CEO of HarrisonParrott Group, which represents Hisaishi globally, added: “This is an important and golden era for Joe, spanning every facet of his artistry – from live performance and recording, to classical and film composition, major residencies and awards. His extraordinary achievements, coupled with the continued growth of his global audience, reaffirm his position as one of the world’s most important contemporary classical composers. We’re honoured to represent Joe during this momentous period in his career and to work alongside Deutsche Grammophon in bringing his vision to audiences around the world.”
Following the success of his online store in the United States, a new European storefront launches today with his first official merchandise collection featuring newly designed apparel and accessories including hoodies, T-shirts, a tote bag and notebook.
Working alongside his global management team at HarrisonParrott across his creative and commercial activities, Hisaishi continues a major programme of touring, commissions and institutional partnerships across the 2025–2027 seasons, with further touring planned through to 2030.
Upcoming touring includes concert halls in Japan, Europe, Singapore, the US and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
PHOTO: Elizabeth Asher
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