Joe Hisaishi

Japan, 1974–now

Japanese composer (b. 1950), inseparable from Hayao Miyazaki's films. Trained in minimalism, he built a style of simple, endlessly repeating melodic cells opening into full orchestral warmth - the sound of My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Joe Hisaishi and 0 artists Joe Hisaishi influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Joe Hisaishi?

• Philip Glass — Glass's minimalism shaped Hisaishi from his conservatory years - the repeating cell that grows by small changes is the engine of his film writing.
• Steve Reich — Reich's phasing and pulse are part of the minimalist grounding beneath Hisaishi's melodies; the two are longstanding friends.
• Terry Riley — Riley's In C generation of American minimalism was among the models Hisaishi drew on when forming his style.
• John Adams — Among the minimalists Hisaishi drew on, with Glass, Riley and Reich.