Minima_Rhythm (Universal Sigma, 2009)
“Minima_Rhythm” by Joe Hisaishi is an orchestral Minimal Music album released in 2009.
Hisaishi, from student days and in the early career he interested in and was influenced by Minimal Music, and adopted and released some Minimal Music works in his early era. This album is revival and renewal of his endeavour to Minimal Music.
“Links” is a bright Minimal Music orchestral song. Repetitions of some phrases and their overlaps make use of tone of various instruments, the huge space reflection, the board and complex echo of the orchestra.
“Sinfonia For Chamber Orchestra” is three part Minimal Music suit for chamber orchestra. Bright, brave and dynamic Minimal Music make use of fine phrases of strings and, wind and brass instruments and their call and response and ensemble plays.
“MKWAJU 1981-2009” is a renewal of an early works of Hisaishi. The formation is the orchestra features marimbas. The composition and arrangement resembles Steve Reich, but this song is more bright, dynamic, sophisticated and complex.
“The End of the World” is a Contemporary and Minimal grand symphony.
“DA・MA・SHI・E” is a bright mood Minimal orchestra song associates “In C” by Terry Riley and there is backing of marimbas like Steve Reich. Each repetitions of phrases crosses complexly constantly changing, so listeners can’t grasp the true shape of the song.
This album is deeply influenced by Minimal Music of Steve Reich, Terry Riley and Philip Glass, but the compositions, orchestra arrangements and recordings are more bright, clear, contemporary and sophisticated.
Minima_Rhythm II (A&M, 2015)
Minima_Rhythm II is the second release of the Minima_Rhythm project by Joe Hisaishi.
“Inori No Uta for Piano” (Song for Prayer) is Erik Satie taste minimal and apathetic piano solo piece without particular melody.
“Shaking Anxiety And Dreamy Globe For 2 Marimbas” is like Steve Reich’s iconic style marimba arpeggio ensemble song. But sometime rhythm changes and they play dynamic.
“Single Track Music 1 For 4 Saxophones And Percussion” features saxophones play minimal phrases. Percussions and vibraphone play accompaniment.
“Wave” is a refreshing and New Wave taste minimal piano solo piece.
“String Quartet No.1” is stateless and contemporary taste and various mood minimal string quartet suit. “I. Encounter” is minimal also amusing and dynamic movement. “II. Phosphorescent Sea” is a Classical and Avantgarde melancholic movement like Schöneberg and Berg. “III. Metamorphosis” is more pathetic and tragic movement like the Second Viennese School. “IV. Other World” is Steve Reich and cinematic taste, also brave and heroic composition made by minimal phrase repetitions of each part, and their parts crosses and emerge complex sound patterns.
Resources and Links
Universal Music Japan – Joe Hisaishi
Music Review
Joe Hisaishi Piano Works
