Merry-Go-Round of Life (from Howl’s Moving Castle) - Joe Hisaishi
Elusha F.
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Hunter L
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Our piece was composed by the Japanese film composer Joe Hisaishi. Originally written for a full symphony as the main theme for Howl’s Moving Castle, this composition mesmerized both me and my partner when we first heard it as children. The music evokes the early 20th-century setting of the film, while also foreshadowing its magical aspects through colorful harmonies and sudden shifts. What drew us to this piece was its unique blend of subtle jazz harmonies with classical elements. The composition follows a theme and variation structure, where each repetition of the main theme is altered uniquely. Parallels harmonically and orchestrally can also be drawn to Hisaishi’s previous works, such as Castle in the Sky. Inspired by this fusion, we decided to arrange the piece for violin and piano. We spent lunch periods and after-school meetings rehearsing, attempting to emulate the original symphonic sound while adding our spin on it.
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To me, creativity is being able to capture and cling on to an inspiration, bringing it to life. Creativity is not solely about expression; its also about discovery. Its about listening to yourself, acting upon your inspirations, and ultimately shaping it into a form for others to understand and experience.