batatshi's blog

2014-12-06T02:00:00.001+01:00

I think this year has been a lot different.
I've been focusing on lyrics more than ever before. That might be caused by the fact my Japanese got better and I'm able to understand at least the general meaning of a song without using a dictionary.

But even if that's the case I never thought of lyrics too much. For me the important thing was sound in overall, whether it was English (which I could understand before) or Japanese song.
It might have slightly changed.

These are my top 10 albums and top 10 songs of this year (notice I do not mean works released 2014, but things I have discovered this year).

Albums:

中山博之 – PIANO OPERA FINAL FANTASY VII/VIII/IX

植松伸夫 – A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY

大貫妙子 & 坂本龍一 – UTAU

Hiromi – Alive

IMERUAT – Propelled Life

細野晴臣 – Hosono House

Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

神聖かまってちゃん – 8月32日へ

坂本慎太郎 – How To Live With A Phantom

椎名林檎 – 勝訴ストリップ

細野晴臣 – 終わりの季節

くるり – 東京

神聖かまってちゃん – 映画

ザ・フォーク・クルセダーズ – 悲しくてやりきれない

大貫妙子 & 坂本龍 – a life

松たか子 – a piece of life

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1224449/11%20a%20piece%20of%20life.mp3

坂本慎太郎 – 君はそう決めた

神聖かまってちゃん – グロい花

ゆらゆら帝国 – おはようまだやろう

Joy Division – Disorder

Yuja Wang at Barbican Hall in London

2014-02-28T22:06:00.005+01:00

The concert was held on 16th February in a
London Symphony Orchestra concert hall at Barbican

After years of anticipation I have finally managed to attend a concert of my beloved Chinese pianist Yuja Wang. I've been a fan of her the very first time she appeared on medici.tv. and I was frankly thrilled to eventually see her in live performance. Young, joyful, beautiful and the most vital of all, incredibly talented.

On February, Yuja played not only few concerts in London, but also led free of charge workshops which I, sadly, was not able to be a participant of.

From all the events only one of them was recital and this is what I decided upon. Piano concertos are great, but if I wanted to listen to her play, there is no better way than solo performance.

Yuja was outstanding that night and there is no doubt about it. Obviously, the audience did not want her to leave soon, and therefore, after a massive applause and standing ovations she gave us 5 encores.
Unfortunately, I cannot recall all of them, but she performed the famous Chopin's Valse Op. 64 No. 2 . Her interpretation of that piece is exceptional and I was always wondering whether I'll be given a chance to listen to it.

Prokofiev Sonata No 3 in A minor, Op 28
Chopin Sonata No 3 in B minor, Op 58
Kapustin Variations for Piano, Op 41
Chopin Nocturne No 1 in C minor, Op 48
Chopin Ballade No 3 In A-Flat Major, Op 47
Stravinsky Petrouchka: Three Movements for Piano

I was not really that familiar with the program, although I love Chopin and I know all of his works to some extent. No much to say, she played his and works and others flawless and also, in my opinion, emotionally balanced.
I really liked the music of Ukrainian contemporary composer Kapustin. Yuja loves jazz and I'm happy she can include that style of music in her concerts making them not entirely classical. Seemed and sounded like a great fun for her and for the gathered people.

All I was able to see from my seat was her face though. I'd have given a lot to see the keyboard and hands flowing around back and forth. I would also gladly exchange few words with her, but there has not been any chance to meet her face to face. No meet and greet at all. Maybe next time.
I'd probably ask her for allowance to touch her hands for a while in order to make sure they are a real thing...

A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY Report

2014-02-23T23:46:00.001+01:00

This article will be available on Gamemusic.net from tomorrow

Music from video games is developing and there is no doubt about that. One of the series that helped the industry to move forward was Final Fantasy. Music from this franchise became so popular that nowadays, we experience concert tours of “Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy” all around the globe. But producers promise more and that being said, we had the innovative „Final Symphony” in London last year.
This time, again in the capital of England, “A new World: intimidate music from Final Fantasy” was brought into existence. The event was planned to be given more cameral atmosphere, which supposed to allow listeners to connect with the music in even more emotional way.

Located in the east part of London, one of the concert hall of London Symphonic Orchestra is actually a church that does not really look prominent neither outside nor inside. Nevertheless, the important thing is what occurred in the center of it.
Without surprise, Arnie Roth was the conductor. Followed by him the performers included pianist Benyamin Nuss, Navarra String Quartet and few other invited artists (guitar, drums, clarinet, flute, contrabass…).
As Arnie Roth said, the choice of musicians is the most important part of creating such event. It is hard not to agree with him and admit that the selection was perfect. The group played at ease, with visible joy on their faces.

The concert started with „One-Winged Angel” (FF VII). No need to explain that to fans, but this track usually That article is available on does not work as a fanfare nor is it an infamous composition (we were promised new arrangements).
Generally, among a huge number of chunks that had never been played live, a few widely recognizable compositions were played. One of them was the aforementioned “One-Winged Angel”, but also “Those Who Fight” (FF VII) or “To Zanarkand” (FF X) that has beautifully enclosed the spectacle.
It is essential to mention that not everything has been composed by Nobuo Uematsu, as the music from Final Fantasy XII or XIII was also in the programme (Hideki Sakamoto, Masashi Hamauzu).

There were solo performances, too. „Eruyt Village” (FF XII) as well as „Those Who Fight” and „Gustaberg” (FF I) were played on the piano by Benyamin Nuss. The tracks contrast between rather romantic “Eruyt Village” and „Gustaberg” and dynamic “Those Who Fight”, but the young pianist showed great skills in both cases.
Another solo instrument was the guitar. “Elia the Maide of Water” (FF III) which was played on it, only ensure us that the choice of instrumentation was ideal.
Besides solo, we also listened to duets. That was “Troia” (FF IV) arranged on guitar and cello as well as “The Promise” and “Blinded By Light” (FF XIII) on piano and violin.

One of the most anticipated moment of the concert was the performance of „Dark World” (FF VI) in which both Nobu Uematsu and Arnie Roth (violin) were announced to participate together.
Easy to spot synthesizer which was placed next to the piano, clearly suggested it was the Japanese who was supposed to play on it. The arrangement was very intriguing and definitely came out as a highlight among all the other works.

There were some humoristic aspects, as „Chocobo’s theme medley” and after intermission „Moogle’s theme medley” were played. Especially the first of them was outstanding. They even used a toy which sound reminded of Chocobo’s squeal. The audience seemed amused.

Majority of arrangements were played ensemble, although some of them were performed by the Navarra String Quartet only. And not only were they flawless, but their performance was literally heart-breaking.
We listened to “Fight with Seymour” (FF X), “A New World” (FF V), “Fragments of Memories” (FF VIII), “Town” (FF I), “The Decisive Battle” (FF VI), “Rebel Army Theme” (FF XI), “The Zanarkand” (FF X) and “Force Your Way” (FF VIII).

“A new World: intimate music from Final Fantasy” is a project that authors can be proud of. To my mind, they managed to achieve the goal. I personally participated in “Distant World” before and I feel the difference between these events. It was not a mass concert. It is not overstating that the audience integrated with artists. Besides, it was again proven how enormous is the library of Final Fantasy music and how much still can be presented live.
There were CDs and posters (of Nobuo Uematsu and Arnie Roth) available to purchase in the lobby.
The only thing that has left me unfulfilled is that you had to buy a double-prized VIP ticket in order to greet and meat the stars. All in all it is not connected to the music which was truly magical, as if from a “New World”.

At the end, I would like to mention there is a huge possibility of a CD release (According to what Arnie Roth).
However, if you fancy poor quality recordings uploaded on youtube, here you go (although some tracks seem to be missing from that playlist).

Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2 (ひとつ屋根の下 2)

2012-10-31T23:13:00.002+01:00

It has been around a week since I finished my, probably favorite, drama of all time.

Hitotsu Yane no Shita is kind of a family drama (I don't really like the description but I assume it fits here), where you can find both sadness and happiness. It's very emotional, though sometimes you sense the exaggeration (nothing new, it's a Japanese drama).

I totally loved the first season, thus it really saddened me there were no subtitles for the second one. Back then I've decided I'll watch it after my Japanese will be good enough to understand what's going on.
However, I changed my mind and decided to do it much, much sooner. I've already started studying Japanese at the University, true, but it doesn't change the fact that I wasn't able to understand much of what the characters were talking about. Knowing the first season I could guess some things.
Besides there is always an overall image - although my Japanese is weak, I had a feeling I know what more or else is going on.

I had been literally swallowing the series - every episode felt like 5 minutes or even less. I just didn't want it to end so soon - I don't really remember having such situation with any other series.
At first I was worried whether I won't be bored! (no English subtitles)
It may sound a bit abstractive to say this (language barrier after all), but the second season appeared for me to be a bit worse. Maybe not worse, but you it was too depressing sometimes - no much fun as in the first season.
But mind me - it's not that there was none! Furthermore... I couldn't understand many gags which surely were going on out there.
What is a VERY important fact, a new main character (not from the family) appeared in the series (actually there were two - Kuroda Yuki as Hayakawa Masumi) - Matsu Takako as Mochizuki Miki. An amazing actress. I never had a favorite one not did I even pay attention, but now I guess she is in.

Finishing the series gave a me an enormous feeling of nostalgia. As always, it's sad to end something you've been really attached to by such a long time. When I watched the first season, I know there is still a one more behind me. But now? I'm just done with it.

About the music... Opening is really amusing and you will probably like it after few times as it is the main theme of the drama.
There actually is an original soundtrack - There are tracks I like (my favorites - "Like a rainstorm", "After the rain", "Going home", "Wait for you", "When you love me", "Faith") , but there are songs I don't (for example Nicki Richards - Good for you... Ble).

At the end... Please, listen to the opening song. At first it may sound very silly to you, though...

I don't spoil. If you want to talk about the plot message me somehow.

Glory to Takeshi Kitano

2012-10-20T22:29:00.003+02:00

Just a little reflection after watching the last (though "Outrage 2" is coming soon) movie by Beat Takeshi, still the greatest contemporary Japanese director in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I haven't been watching the movies chronologically and thus, the "watched yesterday" movie is "Kantoku Banzai" instead of "Outrage". Accidentally that was the best way to "pause" my journey with Kitano's movies what is obviously related to the story of this really amusing film.
Takeshi Kitano, a director, actor, painter, stepping dancer and so and so on... (it's easier to find something he cannot do)...plays himself, or so I interpret it.
It's a film about creating a new story for a movie, or rather attempting to write a new story. So we actually see many plots, whereas most of them are really short ones - Throughout the movie Beat Takeshi thinks about all kinds of story-lines he might produce - comedy, horror, yakuza, drama...
All I can it is a fantastic comedy and I have been laughing really loudly.

The upcoming Takeshi's movie is Outrage 2, what doesn't really make me feel excited - Outrage was quite an ok movie, but nothing special. I expect the second part to be of similar kind. While I keep waiting for that one, I also hope Kitano-san will give as something else in the future - again, something outstanding, what I could entitle as one of the best movie I have ever seen (like it was with "Dolls" for example). He is not young anymore, but as for director, it is still fair enough.

I would like to end my short speech with a link to one of the best yt (which is not on yt anymore, ekhm) clip ever. Hope you have not seen it before. Kitano Takeshi banzai!

22nd International Festival of Comics and Games in Łódź - Akira Yamaoka

2011-11-12T12:19:00.010+01:00

English version

The posters for the festival were very nice made. You can see "Akira YAMAOKA & Cool Kids of Death" below on both of them.

Yes... Akira Yamaoka and his music on the 22th Festival of Comics and Games in Łódź. Really?

When I saw the news of Akira Yamaoka coming to Poland, I just knew I had to see him. Even though I'm not a big fan of his works, it was an another famous Japanese composer of video games music industry in my country.

Akira Yamaoka

It's hard to say that his music is so awesome to listen to and I think many people would agree with me, not only these who haven't played in Silent Hill game series, for which (8 parts, if I do remember right) he is the only composer. I'm sure and believe in people's opinions that his music fits perfectly to the atmosphere of the series. But how does it come for separate listening, especially for people like me who just want to enjoy listening music, not necessarily creepy noises? One have to almost entirely link Yamaoka-san with SH, because he hadn't composed much else despite for this series. Some participations in other albums ("Play for Japan" lately, for example), yes, but as a main composer - his latest work is only "Shadows of the Damned" from this year. That's all is extremely surprising, taking into consideration what he said at the conference the very next day after the concert. "Shadows of the Damned" has been released in 2 albums, but, it seems that more of them could possibly be created!

The first one is a promote album, whereas the second one is just a soundtrack of the game. I've been listening to both and strangely, I liked the preorder more. What blows my mind is the fact that an original soundtrack does not contain such track as "Theme of Shadows of the Damned (featuring The Damned)" or at least, even if the theme of it appears - doesn't in a full length. And that is probably my favorite composition of all. Performed by the Damned and Marry Elizabeth MCglynn, as well as some other tracks are, especially on the OST. It's hard to get it, but Yamaoka-san explained "hiring" this band by this way - "I thought it would be a nice joke to get to play a band called "The Damned" for the game of the same title". He also said that he was honored about their agreement to participate in this work - "Instead of writing to them "Would you like to take part on the soundtrack of The Damned?" I wrote "Could I work with you on the soundtrack of the Damned?".

As long as I remember, Yamaoka-san said that he composed over 200 tracks for this game, using only tens of them. That is why I mentioned about the possibility of other CDs. And that is also why I'm surprised about his, well, not a extensive discography. If he has such a power to compose music, why has it been so less? Surely the time issue is getting its part. For SH, he is not only a composer, but also sound designer and engineer. He had to do everything alone - it's much harder than just composing the score.

iFUTURELIST

However, the artist released a solo album, too. But fans don't like it very much.

As for me, I feel rather different about it. It's kind of enjoyable, though nothing extraordinary. I guess that players of SH just couldn't be positive about electronic, jPop and other genres of music which you can find on iFUTURELIST.

I didn't consider myself to be enough prepared for the concert. I have listened to "only" 4 OSTs from SH series, what is a pity, because with every next one, I felt the music is getting better.

First of all, I think I did make a mistake even checking out the Silent Hill Original Soundtracks. Let me say it this way - don't listen to it. And by this statement I definitely don't mean - This is a shitty music not even worth playing. As long as you enjoy listening a lot of noises and don't need much melody - sure, go on, but it's not for me. Still, there is a main theme and some singed tracks. But in general, it's just boring.

As I said before, the next soundtracks are just getting better. And I did enjoy in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ones. Analogically, most in the 4th (really!).

Songs like "Theme of Laura" is so popular that I knew it already. Some of them, along with that one, I really like.

The problem is that I have a different taste of the music comparing to this what does Yamaoka-san present. There are no symphonic suites with orchestra, but to be expected at the concert was rock, means guitars and drums. It doesn't necessarily have to, though - I love violin, flute or whatever other instruments, inserts in the rock music. But it was not to be expected in this case, unfortunately.

However, I'm opened for everything and so, I really, really wanted to see him performing live and experience the evening with his music.

Akira Yamaoka with CKOD member

At the place, I met with GameMusic crew and later with my friends coming from somewhere else than me.

The atmosphere was really fantastic, we talked, had much fun and yet, we waited for an epic (as we hoped) concert. There was a support band called Kind Off, before the performance of Cool Kids of Death (who, after playing their music, where supposed to play along with Yamaoka-san, his music of course).

To be totally honest, I didn't like both of those bands' music. It's just not for me.

And so we waited for the "great" Akira Yamaoka. After CKOD played ~30 minutes he eventually appeared on the stage, but before playing his own songs, he helped this band with their repertoire. So we still waited to listen for the announcement of the most important part of this event. There was a moment when someone form the audience complained, when the leader said they are going to play few other tracks yet. "Stop wondering, there will be Silent Hill, too" is how he responded. Few moments ago it finally started, from a very high level, we would say - Theme of Laura, probably the most popular composition of the series. Despite the poor resonance which organizers prepared for us, it was quite good, an expanded version. Well, surely better and more familiar than previous plays. So the next song has been played, with a bit of vocal, however, I don't remember it anymore. What else? Nothing... It was the end of the concert! Yes, and I'm not lying. After the performers left the stage, fans of Yamaoka-san started shouting "Akira! Akira!" and thus, after 5 minutes he appeared on front of them again, along with his…female translator, He said some amazing things like “I want to live in Poland”. Well, there surely was much fun. They played so called "encore" which was “Theme of Laura” again! Why did that happen? Why weren't we informed about such a short program which was going to be given? Isn't that unfair? What about people who came here from a far distance? Seems that a better thing they could do was to talk with Akira, have photos with him and get autographs - he was fancy to talk with everyone and there were many occasions for that.

Cosplay scene at the conference

Being quite disappointed about the event, the very next day something better was prepared. The meeting with Akira Yamaoka, conducted by GameMusic members, was very interesting and nice made.

The questions were fine and the answers satisfied. The most important thing which Yamaoka-san said was apologizing that he prepared only 2 tracks and that IT IS POSSIBLE THAT NEXT YEAR HE IS GOING TO HAVE A TOUR WITH HIS BAND, POSSIBLY IN POLAND, TOO. Asked by a fan if Elizabeth Mcglynn would be taken along, he answered that it wouldn't make sense if not – “Silent Hill is not Silent Hill without her”.

What I want to say at the end is that I was not disappointed about going to Łódź. Not only it didn't make me to spend much money, but it was a fantastic experience to meet Yamaoka-san. I also met again with friends and get to know few more people. The night was also very enjoyable.

Am I going to listen Akira's music after this trip? The fact is that I still didn't after I returned. Someday I will, but at this moment I don't have a mood for that. But I'll give Shadows of the Damned again, and maybe other SH albums a chance.

Short report is short, but if you want to know more, just ask me.

That's me!

Autograph of Akira Yamaoka. Quite impressing.

Wersja Polska

Plakaty promocyjne festiwalu były całkiem nieźle wykonane. Na dole każdego z nich widać "Akira YAMAOKA & COOL KIDS OF DEATH"

Tak... Akira Yamaoka wykonywujący swoją muzykę w ramach 22ej edycji festiwalu komiksu oraz gier w Łodzi. Czyżby?

Kiedy zobaczyłem informację jakoby Akira Yamaoka miał się znaleźć w Polsce, Łodzi, po prostu wiedziałem, że muszę go zobaczyć. Nawet jeśli nie jestem jego wielkim fanem, była to okazja do spotkania kolejnego, sławnego kompozytora Japońskiego.

Akira Yamaoka

Ciężko powiedzieć ażeby cała jego twórczość była materiałem cudownym do słuchania, i myślę, że wielu zgodzi się ze mną - nie tylko Ci, którzy nie grali w serię Silent Hill dla której jest jedynym kompozytorem (ośmiu części, o ile dobrze pamiętam). Jego muzyka dla niej wspaniale dopasowuje się w ten mroczny, przerażający klimat produkcji. Lecz jak wypada szczególnie w przypadku ludzi takich jak ja, którzy chcą po prostu cieszyć się muzyką? Uważam, że należy prawie całkowicie połączyć postać Yamaoki z SH, ponieważ nie skomponował on zbyt wiele poza soundtrackami do tej serii. Oczywiście, nawet często, zdarzał mu się udział w innych albumach jak ostatnie "Play for Japan", lecz jako główny kompozytor - zaledwie tegoroczna ścieżka dźwiękowa dla "Shadows of the Damned". Jest to bardzo zaskakujące, biorąc pod uwagę to co powiedział na konferencji następnego dnia po koncercie. "Shadows of the Damned" zostało wydane w 2óch albumach, ale zdaję się, że dużo więcej mogłoby być utworzonych.

Pierwszy z nich jest albumem promocyjnym, natomiast drugi to po prostu soundtrack z gry.

Słuchałem obu i jakoś bardziej podpadł mi preorder. Nie che mi się wierzyć, ale OST nie zawiera takiego utworu jak "Theme of Shadows of the Damned (featuring the Damned)". Chociaż możemy usłyszeć jego melodię, nie występuje w takiej samej formie, a to prawdopodobnie moja ulubiona kompozycja ze wszystkich. Wykonywana jest przez Marry Elizabeth Mcglynn oraz "The Damned", zarówno jak i kilka innych utworów, przede wszystkich na drugim albumie. Yamaoka w ten sposó wytłumaczył zatrudnienie zespołu the Damned "Myślałem, że to będzie niezły "joke" aby the Damned grało dla gry o tym samym tytule." Przyznał również, że był zachwycony możliwością gry z muzykami. Zamiast napisać do nich "Czy chcielibyście wziąć udział w tworzeniu ścieżki dźwiękowej do "the Damned"? Napisałem "Czy mógłbym razem z wami zająć się ścieżką dźwiękową do "the Damned"? Na tyle ile dobrze pamiętam, Akira skomponował ponad 200 utworów dla tej gry, pozostawiając płycie kilkadziesiąt. Dlatego wspomniałem o możliwości nagrania większej ilości płyt. Z tego powodu też jestem zaskoczony jego niewielkich rozmiarów dyskografią. Jeżeli ma taką siłe twórczą, dlaczego nie jest lepiej wykorzystana? Na pewno czas też jest problemem, trzeba przyznać. Dla Silent Hill, nie tylko jest kompozytorem, lecz także inżynierem dźwięku. W kwestii muzyki musiał zająć się wszystkim sam - to wiele więcej od samej partytury.

iFUTURELIST

Jakkolwiek, artysta wydał album solo, jednak fanom nie bardzo przypadł do gustu.

Z mojej perspektywy wygląda to trochę inaczej. Wydał mi się całkiem w porządku, aczkolwiek niczego wyjątkowego w nim nie znalazłem.

Zgaduję, że graczę SH nie są pozytywnie nastawieni na style jakie prezentuje iFUTURELIIST. Porównując wcześniej poznaną muzykę Akiry, kompozycje tam zawarte brzmią dosyć zaskakująco (głównie elektronika, pop).

Nie przygotowałem się odpowiednio do koncertu. Przesłuchałem „zaledwie” 4 ścieżki dźwiękowe z serii SH, co jest wielką szkodą, gdyż każdy następny wydawał się być coraz lepszy. Przede wszystkim, wydaje mi się, że popełniłem błąd nawet zabierając się za Silent Hill Original Soundtracks. Powiem w ten sposób – nie słuchajcie tego. Poprzez to oświadczenie, nie mam na myśli – jest to beznadziejna muzyka, nie warta odtworzenia. Jeżeli podoba się Tobie psychodela jaką sobą prezentuje (hałasy? Szmery?) i nie wymagasz melodii – jasne, możesz spróbować, lecz to nie dla mnie. Chociaż znalazło się na płycie kilka śpiewanych utworów oraz instrumentalny motyw główny, to jako ogół, wypada ona dosyć nudno.

Jak powiedziałem już wcześniej, następne soundtracki są coraz lepsze. Spodobały mi się 2, 3 i 4. Analogicznie – najbardziej czwarty (poważnie!).

Utwory jak „Theme of Laura” sa na tyle popularne, że znałem już od dawna. Niektóre naprawdę polubiłem.

Sęk w tym, że mam dosyć inny gust muzyczny, porównując do tego co twory Yamaoka. Brak symfonicznych suit, a to czego należało się spodziewać na koncercie był rock, oznaczając gitary oraz perksuję. Niekoniecznie musiał oznacząc wyłącznie tylko to – kocham wstawki skrzypcowe, fletowe czy jakichkolwiek innych instrumentów w muzyce rockowej różnego podgatunku. Lecz nie należało się tego spodziewać w tym wypadku.

Tak czy inaczej, jestem otwarty na niemal każdy gatunek muzyczny i naprawdę bardzo chciałem zobaczyć tego kompozytora grającego na żywo, przeżyć wieczór z jego muzyką.

Akira Yamaoka z członkiem CKOD

Na miejscu stotkałem się z ekipą GameMusic, a później z moimi znajomymi, którzy przyjechali z innych stron. Atmosfera była fantastyczna, romawialiśmy i czekaliśmy na cudowny (taką mieliśmy nadzieję) koncert. Przed głównym punktem wieczoru zagrał support, Kind Off, po czym na scenie pojawili się muzycy Cool Kids of Death (którzy, po zagraniu swojej muzyki, mieli grać razem z Yamaoką, jego kompozycje oczywiście).

Będać całkowicie szczerym, nie spodobał mi się żaden z tych zespołów. To chyba po prostu nie dla mnie, za prosto.

Także dalej czekaliśmy na wielkiego Akirę Yamaokę. Po ok. 30 minutach gry CKOD, w końcu pojawił się ze swoją gitarą, lecz przed wygraniem własnych utworów, pomagał muzykom w wykonaniu ich własnego repertuaru. W pewnym momencie, gdy lider zespołu oświadczył, że jeszcze kilka ich piosenek zostanie zagranych, ktoś zaczął narzekać. „Nie martwcie się, będzie jeszczze Silent Hill” – taka była odpowiedź. Jakiś czas potem, ostatecznie zaczęło się, z bardzo wysokiego szczebla, możnaby powiedzieć – „Theme of Laura”, prawdopodobnie najbardziej popularna kompozycja całej serii. Pomijając słabo zorganizowaną akustykę, było całkiem nieźle, wersja rozbudowana. Następny utwór został zagrany, z odrobiną wokalu, jednak nie jestem wstanie sobie przypomnieć jak dokładnie brzmiał. Co dalej? Nic... Koniec koncertu! Tak, nie żartuję. Po odejściu wykonawców, fani Yamaoki zaczęli wrzeszcześć “Akira! Akira!” aż po 5 minutach wrócił na scenę, razem...z jego tłumaczką. Śmieszne rzeczy powiedział, m.in „Chciałbym mieszkać w Polsce”. Było niewątpliwie zabawnie. Zagrali tzw. bis, który był ponownie Motywem Laury! Dlaczego to się stało? Dlaczego nie zostaliśmy ponformowani, że z tak krótkiego repertuaru będzie składał się ten koncert? Czy nie jest to niesprawiedliwe? Jak wytłumaczyć to ludziom, którzy przyjechali z daleka? Zdaje się, że dużo lepsza rzecz jaką mogli zrobić, była rozmowa z Akirą, pstryknięcie sobie z nim zdjęcia, zdobycie autografu, co nie było trudnym zadaniem – to bardzo otwarty człowiek.

Będąc trochę zawiedziony nocą (koncert skończył się mniej więcej o 1.00), następnego dnia coś lepszego zostało przygotowane. Spotkanie z Akirą Yamaoką, kierowane przez członków GameMusic było bardzo interesujące i nieźle przeprowadzone.

Pytania były dobrze skonstruowane, a odpowiedzi zadowalające. Najważniejsze o czym powiedział kompozytor to przeprosiny za przygotowanie zaledwie 2 utworów oraz, że JEST MOŻLIWE, IŻ W PRZYSZŁYM ROKU ZORGANIZUJĘ TRASĘ KONCERTOWĄ ZE SWOIM ZESPOŁEM, KTÓRA MOŻE OBJĄĆ TAKŻE POLSKĘ. Zapytany czy uczestniczyłaby w niej Elizabeth Mcglynn, odpowiedział, że bez niej nie miałoby to sensu – „Silent Hill bez niej nie jest Silent Hillem”.

Na koniec chciałbym powiedzieć, że zdecydowanie nie żałuję wycieczki do Łodzi. Nie tylko nie płaciłem za nią zbyt wiele, ale bądź co bądź, spotkanie z samym kompozytorem było wspaniałym przeżyciem, tak samo jak ponowne spotkanie ze znajoymi oraz poznanie kilku nowych ludzi. Noc również była bardzo wesoła.

Czy będę dalej słuchał Akiry po tym wydarzeniu? Fakt faktem, że od czasu gdy wróciłem nie sięgnąłem po żaden z jego utworów. Jakkolwiek myślę, iż pewnego dnia to zrobię, na razie nie mam na to ochoty. Reszta albumów SH na mnie czeka, a samo Shadows of the Damned na pewno warte jest kolejnego przesłuchania.

Krótka relacja jest krótką, lecz jeśli chcecie wiedzieć coś więcej – wystarczy zapytać.

Ja z Akirą.

Autograf artysty. Całkiem imponujący.

Joe Hisaishi - The Best of Cinema Music

2011-10-08T01:23:00.004+02:00

01. NAUSICAA (From the film "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind")
02. Princess Mononoke (From the film "Princess Mononoke")
03. THE GENERAL (From the film "THE GENERAL (Keaton's The Great Train Pursuit)")
04. Raging Men (From the film "Brother")
05. HANA-BI (From the film "HANA-BI")
06. Kids Return (From the film "Kids Return")
07. Let The Bullets Fly (From the film "Let the Bullets Fly")
08. Howl's Moving Castle (From the film "Howl's Moving Castle")
09. One Summer's Day (From the film "Spirited Away")
10. Summer (From the film "Kikujiro")
11. Villain (From the film "Villain")
12. Ashitaka and San (From the film "Princess Mononoke")
13. My Neighbour TOTORO (From the film "My Neighbor Totoro")

First of all, an old story about which I've told a lot of people (hope anyone remembers it).
My first serious meeting (before I listened only the soundtrack for "Ponyo") with Joe Hisaishi was a DVD with his concert in Budokan, still being considered by me to be the best video ever recorded (however, Blu-ray version is far better, not only because of quality). I couldn't help, downloading...rips...after watching the show. RIPS, since here was no original CD release. Back then I thought that Master obviously gave as an another album where we could listen such magnificent arrangements like those at this concert but it didn't happen to be a fact, even though his discography includes much over 100 CDs... I couldn't believe it. Rips of, naturally, low quality couldn't satisfy me enough.
And so I "waited" 2 years for a news like that... "The Best of Cinema Music" including Joe's beautiful arrangements from charity concerts. I noticed Nausicaa or Princess Monoke Suite, of similar length as in Budokan and on the concert in Kraków. I couldn't wait for the next day to listen to them along with other amazing tracks prepared for us.
Does this album make me fulfilled?

The answer is no. It's a great, fantastic, outstanding, really brilliant production, but if to compare with Budokan, there is an easy winner. And I listened to both albums at least ~20 times, so I know what I say.
Seems like the magic of "25 years of work with Hayao Miyazaki" concert just can't be replaced. Maybe it's all because of the enormous orchestra and choirs? Maybe it is. After all Budokan's recording sounds FAR stronger, more emotional and in general, better. And that actually is all I can tell you about why I feel better about Budokan performances.
Other the same (or should I say similar, because a bit differently played?) arrangements which happened to be played in Budokan and placed on the CD are fantastic "Ashitaka no San" and "My Neighbour Totoro" (but only "Tonari no Totoro").

What much disappoints about this album is that "Ponyo" or "Laputa" was not included. Instead of them we have versions of "KIDS RETURN", "Summer", "One Summer's day", "Howl's moving Castle", "HANA-BI", "Raging man", "Let the Bullets Fly" and part of Keaton the General, which we know from other albums! That's very sad to me, but... I must agree, logical.

Let's talk about totally new tracks. Oh, I'm sorry, there actually is only a one like that. I must admit, even after listening 5 times, I couldn't enjoy "Villain" soundtrack very much. BUT it doesn't matter as I started to love it a bit later. The reason why I couldn't find it to be masterpiece for so long is that it presents a totally different Hisaishi than I've been listening before. Dark, mysterious atmosphere... It didn't really fit in my picture of him.
"Villain" suite (I also heard it on live in Kraków) is superb, just like all the other compositions on this album. Meanwhile I watched the movie and maybe that's also the reason why I feel more and more willing to listen to it again. I especially like vocal part, what is kind of strange considering my music taste. Fantastic voice of... Wait, I probably won't know until I buy CD and take a look in booklets... Cause I can't find the info anywhere.
Speaking about booklets - photo for cover has been taken from the concert in Kraków. Unfortunately, it's not possible to find me on the audience, ekhm.

If you consider listening "Best of Cinema Music" by Joe Hisaishi, you are an idiot. There is no point in considering, just listen to it already! One of the best album of the year for me, if not the best.
Hopefully you don't know the concert in Budokan and you won't have comparing thoughts as I do.
"Joe Hisaishi in Budokan" changed my life indeed.

Tommy Wiseau's "The Room"

2011-09-17T15:33:00.001+02:00

I feel obliged to finally write about one of the best movie I've ever seen. Before I watched it for the first time - I already knew practically the whole story and best scenes of the movie. How is that possible?

This film is something special. When I said "one of the best movie I've ever seen", I really meant that. What in your opinion "one of the best movie" could be like? For me, "The Room" is awesome, because I literally CAN'T GET ENOUGH of it. I guess it's a year after I have been sent a link for one of the most iconic scene (not most, though) and still, I happen to watch something of it almost everyday. It's kind of a narcotic, isn't it?
I happened to watch the whole production after ~1 year of discovering this masterpiece. It does sound strange, doesn't it?

Ok, so... Should I be straight now?
"The Room" is said to be the worst movie ever made. Released in 2003, it gained many fans (especially from the USA, of course), though. Why? Because its badness makes it actually a masterpiece. Right now you probably deduced what is this about - FUN. There are so many fails, so many illogical dialogs, situations that writing a detailed review of the whole film would be a REALLY hard work.
What I recommend you all to do is just write on yt "The Room" or "Tommy Wisseau". You will find there a mass of epic scenes from the movie. My favorite one is "Football Accident" or "Me Underwears".
You'll see "The Room" in "Star Wars", "Zelda", "The Dark Knight"...etc. It's just an another icon of yt. But it's not just "Star Wars Kid" or "this drummer is at the wrong gig" orrrrr "Trololo". They are short and not that brainwashing.

I already mentioned about Tommy Wiseau in the title of entry. You probably realized he is a director of "The Room", but also a main character. Obviously his role is "the best" one, but don't resign to watch other scenes without him. In fact, ALL scenes from "The Room" are ridiculous and it is worth to see them just for fun.

You probably want to know what the story is about?
Johnny lives in Los Angeles, together with her future wife, Lisa. He also hugged Denny from the orphanage. His best friend is Mark. Together with them, he leads a happy life. But suddenly, after 7 years of this state, something is going to change...

I'm letting myself post a few videos of this movie here and... Don't worry about spoilers. Really. But, if you prefer to watch the whole movie first, do this. Also, after watching I want you to check the yt. Because of it you can realize some things you didn't while watching. And, also, there are many fascinating compilations.
Enjoy!

P.S. If you prefer to read, there is even a novelization! (unofficial, I guess).

2011-09-14T18:11:00.000+02:00

The Best of Cinema Music
This information made me barely survive, but in the end I'm alive and definitely will write about this album after listening to it.

Also, I'm not dead and new entry/ies are going to be posted soon!

Beach Boys

2011-08-06T19:06:00.000+02:00

I decided to watch an another Japanese drama series.
I wanted to check out "Beach Boys" for a long time actually, because of Takashi Sorimachi (GTO) playing one of the main role, but it's just a week ago I found it to download in appropriate quality.
Obviously, I wasn't really sure what to expect. The title sound like a gay adventure or so. Or boys spreading around and looking for girls on the beach. This drama is nothing like that. I would it is family-friendly.
In general, the story tells as about a friendship of 2 guys, being employees at Minshuku (kind of a motel, I guess) called "Diamond Head". The summer adventure is about to start, but...how long will it take?
I definitely wanted it to be comic and after the first episode I wasn't disappointed at this point. Sorimachi played really similar as in GTO. Kind of similar characters, actually.
About what I was disappointed though, is that his drama wasn't comedy to the end of it.
Also, first few episodes were awesome, few next ones... Not THAT much - still, very nice.

I really, really love these OSTs of Japanese Dramas. I always enjoy listening to them. Also, seems that the older series have more interesting ones (Hitotsu Yane no Shita, 101st Marriage Proposal or just Beach Boys - I enjoyed listening them much more than Ryusei no Kizuna or Triangle).
At this moment I can't find the second one anywhere, but I'll keep trying. Yes, that dramas has got 2 soundtrack! Awesome, isn't it?
Yet, the fact is that special "episode" (its length is 2 hours, huh) is still before me. Looking forward to watch it soon. The opening theme ("Forever" by Takashi Sorimachi and Richie Sambora) is great, too. Simply, catchy jPop.

01. Forever (Chorus Version) （1:27）

02. Hold Me Tight（2:17）

03. On the Beach（2:54）

04. In the Deep（2:34）

05. Sing a Love Song for Me（4:17）

06. Forever 1970（2:32）

07. Walking in the Sunshine（3:15）

08. The Sound of the Swa [A. Guitar Version]（2:22）

09. Bright Lichts Big City（3:34）

10. Good Luck & Bood Bye（2:37）

11. The Sound of the Sea（2:32）

12. Wipe Out（2:21）

13. Forever (Piano Version)（1:50）

14. Friends'（2:18）

15. Fly Like A Mountain Bird（2:43）

16. Forever (Chorus Version) （2:08）

length: 41:31 min

Definitely recommended, tv series and ost as well.

Symphonic Odysseys report

2011-08-03T16:25:00.000+02:00

The original, Polish text of my report you can find here. In a bigger part, I didn't change the text while translating to English much, but it's not as official as there. That's the reason I mention about more facts and upload some photos. Btw., Blogger sucks when it comes to setting them. Maybe I'll change it to Wordpress or something if there is better, because I'm really fed up about that. Or maybe it's just a matter of design?

No matter what could happened, I would never became a real fan of Nobuo Uematsu. He is just too controversial for me. However, what I must admit, his music in symphonic arrangements is wonderful, truly beautiful. I don't want to connect my thoughts about his creativeness with the report, so I will go to the point. The "Symphonic Odysseys" concert should be special, something I would remember all my life. Was it?

Before we headed straight to the philharmonic, we met with an administrator of GameMusic.net, Mariusz Borkowski. It was great to get to know with him for the first time. Thanks to that I also received an album of Final Fantasy VIII (I had actually nothing to get an autograph on) and promised to write a report of the concert and review of the album. Of course I agreed!

I have never imagined that my visit in the Philharmonic of Cologne could be possible. But finally, after many decisions and experiences, it became reality. Eventually I was inside of it.

What we realized while waiting for the meeting with Nobuo Uematsu, is that there are standing tickets for just €6.

If I knew it earlier, maybe I would manage to get on Symphonic Legends last year... That's a shame, really.

We all got the programs of the concert (only in German) and it is the second thing on which I have Uematsu's sign. When waiting, I got to know a French pair, so when I finally made my way to the composer, they took photos for me. I didn't manage to talk to him much, but greetings, sharing smiles, getting 2 autographs and thanking him was enough.

With every next moment I felt more and more excited, however, just when I took my step to the hall of the philharmonic... I felt like nowhere else before.

Where the hell am I? What is that? Now I can't remind how I felt at this time. The only one thing I can say... It definitely impressed me. I doubt I could see that beautiful construction anywhere in Poland. Of course I had to do some photos, but BE AWARE, they completely DON'T show the magnitude of this place, nor atmosphere. After I sobered, I started looking for my seat. Finding it eventually, I realized it is one of the best of the whole hall. I could see performers practically vis a vis. Few moments later, on my left side, I could see Nobuo, his manager and other stuff responsible for the concert walking in order to occupy some seats. They were really close to me, I could see them and take many photos, instead I did shitty ones, but... forgive me, I wasn't thinking about the future at this moment. The orchestra and choir came soon and I also managed to record the tuning..
Obviously, I was waiting for the concert to begin, though I still needed to keep admiring the space.

Arnie Roth (the conductor, in the case if someone doesn't know/remember) is coming! It means just a moment and they are about to start.

1. Opening Fanfare by Nobuo Uematsu
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen

Even if you don't know the program, it was obvious that the concert of "Symphonic" series would start by fanfare. Composed by Uematsu and arranged by Jonne Valtonen was especially prepared for this event. Amazingly introduced the audience (along with me) to the atmosphere of it. It was a fantastic experience to hear the WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln fo the first time. But, it was just the beginning.

Would be possible if the concert was without presenter (Daniel Hartwich)? He came and almost the whole event spoke in...German, what kind of restricted me. Anyhow, I was prepared to listen to the music, so it wasn't an actual problem for me.

2. Final Fantasy (Concerto for Piano and Orchestra )
Arranger: Roger Wanamo

I. Grave - Allegro
II. Adagio cantabile
III. Allegro molto

Just the title of the next composition made me thinking about personifying the music of video games to the regular classical repertoire. Final Fantasy Piano Concerto, divided into 3 parts, surely sounded that way.
What was obvious, in the role of soloist appeared Benyamin Nuss. It was clear to see that he is very promoted. On the poster of the concert we haven't seen Nobuo Uematsu or the conductor, but him. It worried me a bit, because it means this concert wasn't really treated in the international way (the other example is presenter speaking German). However, all what does matter is the fact that he is a FANTASTIC pianist (maybe I'll write about his solo CD and how it impressed me).

It was expected that there will be connected at least few motives of various parts of Final Fantasy.
Maybe I'm not so well-known with the music of all of them, yet I recognized most themes. Anyway, I prefer to judge this performance not thinking about what certain motive of what game was included in it.
It was amazing! I know works of many unforgotten composers who were creating a lot of piano concertos and comparing them to this one is definitely appropriator. I think it is worth to keep supporting this idea, means creating concertos and symphonies from Video Game Music and promoting them. The library of just Nobuo Uematsu is enormous.

The first and third part contained mainly loud and energetic rhythms, where we were listening to the main and battles themes from different parts of Final Fantasy. I suspected that in the second "Aerith's Theme" would be used for sure, and I was actually right. However... This performance I definitely couldn't imagine. First tear staggered in my eyes. Benyamin Nuss was simply splendid. I would say that everyone did what was supposed to, perfectly, without a tiny fail, freely and slightly. It didn't change for the rest of the concert.

Of course there were insertions in which the main part took Hartwich. He asked Arnie "If you were about to be in a world of rpg, what character you would like to be?". The answer didn't take him much time, causing a strong applause of the public - "Chocobo!".

3. King’s Knight (A Pretty Day Out)
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen Lyricist: Mikko Laine

Next, they played "King's Knight". We could listen to the choir for the first time, but in what a way they performed! It's hard for me to describe in word this kind of fifes in which they have been blowing. It sounded awesome, witty but beautiful. A wonderful orchestration, with a horn directing the main theme of the track. Choir also appeared in its typical role.

4. Chrono Trigger (Silent Light)
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen Lyricist: Mikko Laine

The arrangement of "Silent Light" was probably the biggest surprise. But how successful! The orchestra were resting while we could listen to the choir for approximately 5 minutes. Track being 2x longer than the original surely needed an extension. So really big applause are appreciate for the lyricist, Mikko Laine, as well as arranger of course. Bravo Jonne Valtonen, very courageous decision!

5. The Final Fantasy Legend and Final Fantasy Legend II (Main Theme and Save the World)
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen

For me, this one was a big unknown. I had never have an occasion to listen to the music from Final Fantasy Legend nor even knew it exists. Mostly, the arrangement was kept in the atmosphere of fanfare, where we could hear slightly changing melodic lines. I guess that it wasn't very sophisticated and demanding, but anyway, sounded marvelous.

6. Final Fantasy X (A Fleeting Dream)
Arranger: Roger Wanamo Lyricist: Mikko Laine

"A Fleeting Dream" from Final Fantasy X probably moved me most. An incredible composition, arrangement and performance. With every next second tension has been increasing, but the piece was ended by muting.

The interval was announced and I just couldn't wait for its end.
It is clearly to notice that the second part contained newer compositions of Nobuo Uematsu. As it turned out, definitely not of the lower level than his earlier works.

7. The Last Story (Spreading Your Wings)
Arranger: Jani Laaksonen

The music of "The Last Story" was said not being known in Europe, what made it prestigious at the concert. They performed "Spreading Your Wings", which was constructed mainly by just a one melodic line. However, it was splendidly varied.

8. Final Fantasy XIV (On Windy Meadows)

Arranger: Jonne Valtonen

"On Wind Meadows" offered a little exoticism. By saying that I especially mean the unconventional way of how musician played, for example using their hands or bows to tapping their instruments. Very important was flute, giving rhythm for the main theme.

9. Blue Dragon (Waterside)
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen

From "Blue Dragon" was presented probably the best-known from its soundtrack "Waterside". The performance needed concertmaster of the orchestra playing as a soloist. As well as orchestra, he was outstanding. It was kind of slow, calm, very gentle track, what was rather exceptional at Symphonic Odysseys.

10. Lost Odyssey (Suite)
Arranger: Jonne Valtonen Lyricist: Mikko Laine

I. Prologue (Main Theme)
II. A For midable Enemy Appears!
III. A Sad Tolten
IV. Dark Saint
V. Light of Blessing A Letter
VI. Epilogue (Main Theme Reprise)

Unexpectedly fast one of the main point of the concert was about to be played. The music from Lost Odyssey surely impressed me, that's why I was really looking forward to listen to it at the concert. The most important role in the suite played the main theme, which was appearing and vanishing in order to eventually finish the composition. Obviously, there were many more beautiful motives, list of which is described above.

At the certain moment happened something what I wanted really badly - organ sounded! When I made my way to the hall, seeing its enormity, I hoped to hear them as well. I wasn't disappointed, extremely powerful yet clear sound. Ending of the suite stretched kind of long, but I'm saying it definitely not in a negative way.

The end? Whatta hell? What do you mean by that? Really, it was not possible to believe that more than 2 hours already gone. The whole stuff responsible for the concert were invited on the stage, together with the composer. Uematsu has been given sausages for his dog and everyone received gifts.

Obviously, together with the audience (standing ovations) we have been waiting for encores...

Encore #1

When Arnie exclaimed FF X as a first one (played together with Beyamin Nuss), I was sure there is an another awaiting us. I just didn't think the concert could end in any other way than with FF VII. But let's focus on this track. It consisted mainly of solo performance by Nuss. It was a great decision to invite him on stage once again. He was really awesome. After the next applause, the last unofficial point came - Arnie had up his sleeve one more "surprise" - a medley of battle themes of FF VII.

Encore #2

"Those who fight", "J-E-N-O-V-A", "Birth of god" and obviously, "One-winged Angel" running throughout the whole track. Extremely well thought arrangement, though you could suspect it to be a bit longer. There was also a comic moment, when suddenly one of the musician started to play on the drum improvising Ronny Barakk and his darbouka 2 years ago at Symphonic Fantasies. In this case, this solo wasn't that long.

Yeah, this time it's really the end. We could possibly expect a full version of "One-Winged Angel" or something, but they didn't decide to do such a thing. Probably right, it would be too simply. We just had to clap as much power we had. And for something that beautiful there should be much enough.

Every moment I spend at Symphonic Fantasies gave me chills. Wealth of Nobuo Uematsu's music is hard to describe by words. Melody, melody and once again, melody. I'm not the first person to mention that a big part of his music presents melancholia, nostalgia, sadness. Here we had everything. Thomas Bocker as well as arrangers made the concert sound patchily.

What I can't sop admiring is the way of how musicians played. For them it was all easy. I was very close to the stage and I saw smiles and joy on the faces of the orchestra members, even while playing. They just knew what to do and really, they didn't make a single mistake. Incredible team, I hope to meet them again.

We will see what future show us in the topic of the music from video games... If sea won't separate me, I'm able to hitch-hike and do other abnormal thing for me again.

Nippon Banzai!

2011-07-18T00:18:00.002+02:00

Nippon Banzai! The first semi-final, the first final, the first victory of Japan in Women's Football World Cup. Not mentioning beating the host which has been victorious in this event for last 2 editions (Germany).
I haven't been so excited for a long time. Wonderful girls.
I can't really believe how amazing Sawa is. Every of her pass is going straight away to her colleague.
Everything in this match was outstanding. I was sure about the final result, though ;).
Here it is.

Symphonic Odysseys - program

2011-07-04T23:02:00.001+02:00

Here is a program of Symphonic Odysseys:
http://www.symphonicodysseys.com/SymphonicOdysseys_ProgrammOnlineSheet.pdf

To be honest, I really like the idea of doing it this way, as this is a typical, classical/symphonic music concert.

2011-07-04T19:51:00.000+02:00

Hi again!
I'm going on Symphonic Odysseys tomorrow morning, hitch-hiking. After I return, I'll definitely report you how it was! I would write abut how/if my opinion of Noubo Uematsu changed and what I think about his other works (not only from Final Fantasy), but... I don't think I'll find the time yet today.

Norwegian Wood

2011-06-19T17:44:00.003+02:00

To tell you the truth, I was much looking forward to see an adaptation of "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami, since I've got really weak imagination and was interested how exactly it all looks in reality. I don't really know details, if same author had a share in making the movie, though. I also never heard about Tran Anh Hung (the director), but that's rather nothing surprising.

First, I should present what the story of "Norwegian Wood" is about.
Let me quote Wikipedia, since today I'm really lazy:

"In Tokyo in the late 1960s, students around the world are uniting to overthrow the establishment and high school student Toru Watanabe is a quiet and serious young Tokyo college student whose personal life is in tumult. Toru loses his best friend Kizuki after he inexplicably commits suicide. Toru, now becomes uncertain as to how he should view life and as he looks for a new life, enters a university in Tokyo. By chance, during a walk in a park Toru meets Kizuki's ex-girlfriend Naoko, and they grow close since they both share the same loss but as they grow even closer, Naoko's sense of loss also grows. At heart, Toru is deeply devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman.

After Naoko's 20th birthday, which she shares with Toru, she withdraws from the world and leaves for a sanitarium in a remote forest setting near Kyoto to regain some emotional stability. Toru is devastated by the situation, as he still has deep feelings for Naoko, but she is unable to reciprocate. He also lives with the influence of death everywhere, while Naoko feels as if some integral part of her has been permanently lost. He continues with his studies, and during the spring semester meets an attractive girl and fellow student Midori – outgoing, vivacious, supremely self-confident – who is everything that Naoko isn't. The story then follows Toru as he is torn between the two women in his life and he must choose between his past and his future."

The story was incredibly dramatized. Of course I can't deny its sadness, but I still remember there were also some funny parts in original. Here you can hardly find any. Nothing about commando.

I'm thinking as to how people not reading book, find this film. For me, I can clearly say there are many fragments which you may recognize only if you read the novel. This adaptation is very shortened, and there are many scenes when the director wants to show you just a little hint and you should recall everything to yourself. That's how it looks like for me.
Does this make the public not-knowing the original like "what is happening?". I don't think so at all. They just have no idea this actual scene has a continuation.
Some of them also are kinda changed. Of course it is logical that they shouldn't or even couldn't not change anything, however sometimes I feel it is too much. Or they are shortened too - then you have a feeling that if they weren't, you would differently perceive a certain moment. Still, there were quotes simply taken from the book.

Judging by novel's texts, I really like heroes creations and the play of practically each of them (. Amazing are locations.

Music... So, music is very climatic for this dramatical image made by Tran Anh Hung. However, being frankly with you - I don't really recommend to listen to this soundtrack separately. In my opinion it's just boring. Not bad, but boring. Maybe even not repetitive, but too simply. Most of the score was composed by Jonny Greenwood about who many of you probably heard already. Yeah, he is a member of Radiohead and that's from where I know him best. It's funny how on Last.fm I noticed users calling him "a genius".
There are also few tracks by a rock group "Can".
And tell me, how is that possible that the main track of the whole story, Norwegian Wood by The Beatles is not placed on the CD? Unforgivable!
At least it was played on the movie - credits, but there was also a scene when Reiko (a friend of Naoko helping her to recover from a psychological pain) was playing it and singing - just like in the book. It's interesting there is roma-ji in tracklist used.

Even though it supposed to make you cry, I didn't feel to. I guess that was probably because I knew what will happen, sooner or later. I can't tell you how would that be in your case.
I'm not disappointed and I also feel glad I finally reached for that movie. I can't call it a masterpiece, but I'm happy it's actually consistent with the work of Haruki Murakami.
However, I'm thinking about that there should be an another book of him adapted. There are more interesting titles to do it with them. I would die to watch "Kafka on the Shore" or "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle".
The point is that they present us also the world of fantasy and "Norwegian Wood" completely doesn't. It's good just to be a book and that's all.Unfortunately I don't have high hopes for any of them to be done. But time will show us...
Haruki Murakami is my favorite novel-writer for few years already. But practically every next day, I complain on myself - Why I read so less?

4th Film Music Festival in Kraków - Joe Hisaishi

2011-06-05T14:12:00.004+02:00

Thursday, the 19th of May 2011

Special guest: Joe Hisaishi – for the first time in Europe!

A concert prepared in collaboration with the legendary Japanese studio Ghibli

Spirited Away
Howl's Moving Castle
Princess Mononoke
Laputa – Castle in the Sky
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Suites from Takeshi Kitano's films (including Hana–bi, Kids Return, Summer )
Wioletta Chodowicz – soprano
Pro Musica Mundi Choir
Sinfonietta Cracovia
Boys' Choir of the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic in Cracow
Joe Hisaishi – piano, Conductor

As I mentioned already in my previous post, there was a little problem with arriving to the right place where concert was held. But no wonder I was exaggerating. The fact that I will see the Master still seemed unbelievable for me and I believed something tragic could happen. Fortunately, it didn't seem to be the case.

The start of the concert was proceeded by the first meeting with presenters - Magdalena Miśka - Jackowska and Andrzej Młynarczyk. It's not like I was happy about that, even inversely. Just realize I would see them every next day.
When, after they hailed the name of Master, he first showed up coming from the backstage - I felt like my heart stopped. I will never forget this moment - applause loud like it was already after the concert. It is a feeling not possible to describe, to see a Man you wanted to see so much, but you were sure it is not possible in the near time. A person in whose music you fall in love, which took a very big role in your life.
To begin with, he thanked the orchestra (Sinfonietta Cracovia) and choirs (Pro Musica Mundi Choir, Boys' Choir of the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic in Cracow). Never mind about that. Joe was ready to play and so.... They started!

First part

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

For people knowing the artist, probably nothing else was more expected that "Nausicaa" would open this concert. And so it was. After the music of "Princess Mononoke", perhaps, that is my favorite work of Joe Hisaishi. How much exciting was it to listen to it live - just impossible to say. But just that it was his music, unfortunately, didn't mean the performance would be epic as well. It actually wasn't. While I have been listening I could concentrate about the sound, but I couldn't not hear there something wasn't quite right.
From just the beginning I have noticed some instruments playing not clear enough. Of course the whole suite wasn't bad performed at all - I just couldn't stop thinking how the exact moments supposed to be played, like in the original. But it wasn't the biggest problem. I heard a kind of noise, which definitely shouldn't be to hear. Fortunately not the whole concert was affected by it, especially only the beginning.
Both Choirs I found to be singing nice, but I wouldn't believe if that could go wrong.
About what I was most disappointed... Was a certain moment, completely changing the melody of suite. I love it most of the whole music for Nausicaa. And here they... They screwed it up, I must say it! I was waiting so long for hearing it and instead some kind of wind instrument drowned it. Maybe it still didn't sound bad, but I felt sad.
All piano parts were successfully, it's logical, because the pianist was just the Master.

Princess Mononoke

Definitely the most awaiting part of the concert, at least for me. I didn't even consider a possibility to not meet compositions of this Anime on the concert of Joe Hisaishi. Of course after Nausicaa's suite I was wondering how would the orchestra and choir performs this time. The beginning... I might call it the most awaiting motive - "Ashitaka's Theme". The best compositions of Joe ever, in my opinion. Here they used the same arrangement like in the concert in Budokan (actually the same was with Nausicaa), so I especially should be excited. Still, it wasn't so epic as it supposed to be! What irritated me most, was a fragment when trumpets played an important role. They didn't really discharged very well. About the choir... I don't really remember, however there also was something not perfect about it.

After that, there came TATARIGAMI - and hell, here I was really impressed, beautifully performed. Not worse was with the main theme of Princess Monnoke - Wioletta Chodowicz, soprano, was singing quite well. The only, maybe not big, problem was the language. It was English, not Japanese. And that was also very sad for me.

Second part

Keaton's "The General"

-I Movement

-V Movement

At first, I wasn't sure if to cry or be happy to see a surprise like that. Then, so called, program of the concert was not needed to be written. You see it at the beginning of my post. How could they write it all down, when is not telling the truth? After a moment, I started to think about it a bit differently - the program is still actual, but just now, Joe decided to put something special. However, after all it really was a part of the not-anounced program. I wasn't prepare very well to listen to this, but on the other hand, maybe it was better this way?

"Keaton's The General" played by Sinfonietta Cracovia sounded really amazing. I remembered it from listening to studio CD not very well, yet I'm able to say that was magnificent.

Here the music was actively connected with the video. They just showed some part of the original movie. The music of Master really seems to be good relaying the atmosphere of it. Someday I need to watch it whole. Since that is a really old film, I believe it was mute. Is Joe the first "composer" of the music for "The General"? That's interesting.

Third part

Departures ("Melodyphony")

I believe a big part of the crowd gathered in the hall, had no idea, but Joe began promoting his last studio album - "Melodyphony". Maybe I did mention about it earlier. It is a compilation of his best works. Or so internet surfers decided voting for certain compositions to be there.

Departures was definitely a good choice. After I listened the album several times, it became as a one of the best track on it. I guess there wouldn't be a problem no matter what instrument Joe would have to prepare compositions for. In "Departures" the main character is/was a cellist. During the play, video was amazingly connected with the sound, so we could see a main character playing cello in the same moment as the real cellist on the stage. What about him? Well, even though he was a soloist... I didn't see an information about his name. However, an opinion about his performance is nothing hard to reveal. I have a bad news - it wasn't as good to make me thrilled.

Spirited Away

- "One Summer's Day" ("Melodyphony")

Wouldn't he performs "Spirited Away"? No mater how different was the program - there was no possibility to not put something from this, I believe most famous, movie of Hayao Miyazaki. One Summer's Day is simply beautiful and since most important in it is the piano - there was no way for it to be bad performed. That's a shame there was no time to play more tracks. I would die to listen to "Reprise". I was so looking forward to it.

Kikujiro

- "Summer" ("Melodyphony")

Summer! Who doesn't love it? I bet there is anyone not at least liking this legendary motive, just after the first play. I found violins to be not playing exactly as they should (pizzicato), but there was no problem with the piano. That is the last movie with Hisaishi's inferential I have seen before this magic day, so I still remembered the movie very good - it was so amazing to see scenes from it on the screen.

Fourth part

Brother

- Raging Men

Probably less awaited track from "Brother". Not any of those "nostalgic" ones were performed, but "Reging Men", I must admit that create a very good atmosphere (loud, brutal), especially for the next, creating a contrast...

Hana-bi

I never really loved HANA-BI theme, but as all of Joe's music, it has something beautiful in it. This depressing, nostalgic tune... I don't know how to describe it properly. I liked the fact they showed on the screen the scene with his wife, when he was "guessing" what card it was.

Kids Return

Awesome! So after all, much music from Kitano's films were performed. Some days ago, yet before the festival, I've posted the video of Kids Return live from youtube. Besides the astonishing arrangement, I think it also described as to how much I love this theme. Obviously, here we did deal with completely another kind of concert. I knew this arrangement quite good. I think performance here was also very good. I started to feel like with every next minute, performers are getting better! And you know? I wasn't wrong.

Fifth part

Akunin

- The Villain Theme

- Tribute To Japan

Even though that was the last soundtrack for movie composed by Master - I was surprised. This one I couldn't enjoy very much, even after listening the full album few times. Maybe I need a bit more or maybe there is too less Hisaishi's style for me. I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy listening though - I really did.

After ending the main theme, something kinda expected happened - "Tribute to Japan", that is what. On the scene came again Wioletta Chodowicz. Unfortunately, I don't remember how were the lyrics or rather if they were the same as those ones in the original song in Akunin. But as far as I can recall, it was a very good connection. and fitted like everything else. What I mean by "everything else" is the music and video on the screen obviously, showing results of the disaster.

Sixth part

Ponyo

Above, I told you that performances were getting better with every next minute, right? I'm curious what would I heard if the event was longer. Ponyo was performed PERFECTLY. And it had everything in it - instrumental music, but also chorus and soprano. That definitely was the longest compositions played this day. Maybe a movie is a bit controversial, however - I can't deny the genuine of a music!

Not really realizing, it also was the end of the concert. Of course there just had to be encore, so after standing ovations, there it came... (they made a fail showing the title on the screen before Joe returned to play. Well, I guess we must realize the fact it was all prepared)...

Encores

Howl's Moving Castle

- The Merry-go-round of Life

The music for "Howl's Moving Castle" became quite popular. Especially this beautiful waltz. No "Cave of Mind", but I guess the encore can't be that long. Fantastic. But the real final...was after that...

My Neighbor Totoro

When they showed a poster and started playing - there was an applause. No wonder Totoro arouse the biggest emotions of Ghibli fans. This time... Or rather after the performance, well, it was really not possible to not be touched. Seeing Totoro on the screen along with listening to the music... Amazing. It was so cheering up and yet moving - as it is even without live experience. Choir singing "To-to-ro To-to-ro" became a hit among the public. The wild smile of Joe ending this concert - priceless.

It actually was hard to believe, but only ~105 minutes after Joe started conducting - he ended it. It definitely seemed to be much shorter.
I don't have to say how strong was the applause.

A conclusion?
Even though there were some kind of fail and mistakes - I think it was the most epic evening of my life. About that, it was as I expected. The fact I also wanted and was sure to hear a perfect performance of all compositions, unfortunately didn't work. However...should I complain?

I felt incredible happy just about Joe Hisaishi arrival and I still feel happy and excited I had an occasion to see him. There is also a matter of tracklist - Some compositions I wanted to hear so badly were not played, including especially "Reprise" from Spirited Away, "Ashitaka and San" from Princess Mononoke, generally music from Kiki's Delivery Service, Sonatine... And many, many more. I can't believe Laputa wasn't played too. Porco Rosso is too jazzy for this kind of concert I suppose, though "Madness" would definitely fit.
I don't want to tell you in the review, how sad I'm though, about not seeing him personally and that I haven't got his autograph - I'll do this in the next entry, along with writing about next day's conference.

Here is an official video reportage of the 1st day of the festival, with English subs. I don't really recommend it to watch - annoyed me that they are talking generally about the event, not about yesterday's concert. Anyhow, you can listen to and watch few samples. They didn't show too much, though. Actually, very less.

All pictures of the show are taken from the FMF photo gallery. Thanks!

4th Film Music Festival in Kraków - Introduction

2011-05-28T16:10:00.005+02:00

During my short (well, I guess 5 days is short indeed) stay in Kraków, I realized a one, certain thing. No matter how stressful, we always managed to finally reach everything.
For me, that's how it was like with the first day of the Festival (not of my arrival though), a day of the concert of the Master Hisaishi. Unnecessary I felt a bit stressed, because in a moment, we didn't know how to get on the hall of Ocynownia. We were informed it is needed to get there an hour before the concert, however... Hopefully, it was not a truth after all. I mean, we didn't have to come an hour before to be able to catch a festival bus, because there were already a mass of people waiting.
That was the only time I had a ticket for the sector A, a numbered one. It means I didn't have to worry that anybody could steal my seat unless I came in the right time.

Manggha

But first I think I should mention about the official opening. We weren't sure if we should go there, since this meeting was described as "closed". Actually, there was no problem to enter there. The building in which most of academies and also this meeting took place was called "Manggha" and I'm very disappointed I didn't have enough time to walk around it.
On the meeting, there weren't Klaus Badelt, who, after all, couldn't even come, as well as...of course, Joe Hisaishi. I guess he was too busy to come, or something like that. Maybe last rehearsals with the orchestra? Anyway, it was definitely worth to come. That was the first time I have seen guests of the 4th Music Festival and it was somehow very exciting. I will tell you more about the translator of Masashi Hamauzu, but he already showed his skills, translating words in Polish for the public. Greetings we heard from everybody, Arnie Roth, Masashi Hamauzu, Adam Skorupa and Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz or Bartosz Chajdecki. We were able to get an autograph of Masashi and also, photos with him. We didn't make up with Arnie Roth back then.
There we also have bought our programs, or I should say newspapers of the festival. They were very useful. Like for getting autographs of as many artists as possible.

Here are pictures from the Facebook page of FMF:

Every one could taste this cake and I did it too - AMAZING

M. Hamauzu signing for me

When I first entered to "Hala Ocynowni Arcelor Mittal" I was astonished. It all looked so beautiful! The atmosphere, climate, lights, the big screen, the scene and so on...
Ahead the entrance, there was a room of Square Enix, a poor one, but I must tell you we spend a good time there. It's kinda funny they had only 2 games to play and both for...PSP. These consoles were connected to the bigger TVs. The first one was Final Fantasy IV (yeah, fantastic game for a short play) and the second one was Dissidia, I don't remember the full title, but it has a multiple characters from all Final Fantasy series, good and evil ones. It's brawl. Besides, there were TVs on the sides showing trailers of some FFs.
Despite that, very much time we spend in the competition few steps further, which took a place every day. The rule of it was to adjust the titles of movies to their music. Every of users had been given a paper with 4 titles - A, B, C, D. Later, lady turned on the music and you had to recognize from what it was. Practically, when you had already guessed 2 titles, you knew the answer after knowing the 3rd one. Clearly, if you knew it was for example "B, D, C" then it is obvious, the last one is A. The prizes were shirts and leashes, but once we also won tickets, for the sector A!
It was really easy to win, just after you played few times. Some of sets were even the same, so you could remember the sequence of answers.
That mainly was all what caught our attention when waiting for concerts.
There was also some kind of bar, but not for poor me.

The worst of all is that I didn't take photos of all of those places. Maybe I will find them somewhere on the Internet, but...I bet that. Generally, I regret not taking pictures of many nice things. I was always forgetting about that. First, few poor pictures made by my poor camera:

Here are ones you can find in fmf gallery (nice contrast):

My next article (asap) is the most important one, the concert of Great Master.

2011-05-25T00:05:00.002+02:00

And so I am... Actually returned yesterday. I had a strength only to sleep, so I'm writing today. I'm going to write about my visit in Kraków at the Weekend, I guess.

4th Film Music Festival in Kraków

2011-05-16T22:35:00.001+02:00

Well, I think I won't manage to write anything longer, before the festival, so... Awaits an entry after I return to home.

2011-05-10T20:21:00.001+02:00

This is...this is... MADLY EPIC!

Final Fantasy VII - slow progressing

2011-05-05T16:14:00.002+02:00

Now I just feel like I want to write something. By 2 or 3 days I wasn't doing anything special, not even watching new movie or series. I wanted to end Final Fantasy VII by the end of this week, but I don't think that will be possible. If not, I have got even less than 2 weeks. What is this all about making it in time? Before the festival I want to be even more connected with Final Fantasy series.
But to tell you the truth, I can't really enjoy in this game as much as many other players do or did. Yesterday was one of the crucial moment. Didn't really make me much excited or crying. I wonder how much it is dependence of the fact I knew about it already (yeah, spoiler). Also, I don't like the music (don't kill me). F not good arranged, it sounds awful. Sorry for that, Uematsu-san.
Maybe I didn't die laughing, but what I saw in a one scene made me laughing hard.
Tell me, is my sense of humour pathetic or does it make you smile, too? I don't upload all of pictures of this crazy situation I took, because it takes time.

I'll write something more later.

Kikujirō no Natsu (菊次郎の夏)

2011-04-30T16:50:00.000+02:00

What a totally fantastic movie to watch as the last one of cooperation between Takeshi Kitano and Joe Hisaishi. I'm very glad it was that one and no other. Why? Because the rest of them are not that good? Of course not.
It's just a great "farewell". I'm not really positive about watching the same movie twice, so yeah, I can say "farewell". So the point is that it is probably the most cheerful yet moving film of Mr. Kitano I have seen.

"Kikujiro no Natsu" is about a story of a lonely kid Masao, whose father died and was abandoned by mother. He currently lives with her Grandma. When summer comes, he is being a witness of his friends going on the holidays with parents. He miss school, in which he at least doesn't feel alone. and is dreaming of meeting with her real mother, who lives far away.

One day being bullied by some lads, he is observed by a woman who somehow knows him from before (but we can't really say how). She is with her husband and that is the main character of the movie - Kikujiro, played by Takeshi Kitano himself. After "rescuing" Masao from guys wanting his money, Kikujiro's wife declare his husband to take care of the boy, later informing about everything his Grandma.
Kikujiro ensure Masao to take him to his mother and that is how the story begins.

Fishing

In this movie you may see a few different sides of Kikujiro. It's kinda hard to finally judge him. Kikujiro is a very nervous and violent personality. He quickly becomes mad and can't control himself. But he also is an amazing comedian, specifically or not. For Masao he really is gonna do everything., but also using others people and hurting them. The beginning of their adventure doesn't actually show any deeper feelings for this child. But in every next scene we may notice the growing integration between each other.
It is all about contact between son and father. Kikujiro replaces him for Masao. After it appears that her mother has a new husband and even born a child, there is no one left for him. Kikujiro tries his best to cheer him up. While they are traveling, they meet a poet riding around the country in his car, searching for inspirations and 2 motorcyclists. They all eventually end having a camping. And there are the most enjoyable scenes of this movie. They are all having fun, conducted by Kikujiro. It is obvious that's all for Masao.

Fatso and Baldly

Kitano's inspiration for the character (not the film) was his own father, Kikujiro Kitano, a gambler who struggled to feed his family and pay the rent.

I already listened many times the main musical theme in various arrangements - "Summer", but hearing it in the movie is an another experience. While earlier I didn't see any images, now I recall myself Kikujiro's Summer and it sounds even better. The whole score is particularly like a varations of this theme. But there are few other melodies, which also are great. I wouldn't really say it is repetitive, because it really isn't, believe me.

Tracklist:
1. Summer - (6:28)
2. Going Out - (1:19)
3. Mad Summer - (2:57)
4. Night Mare - (1:52)
5. Kindness - (2:00)
6. The Rain - (5:40)
7. Real Eyes - (3:18)
8. Angel Bell - (3:15)
9. Two Hearts - (2:03)
10. Mother - (2:15)
11. River Side - (6:16)
12. Summer Road - (3:08)

My favorites: "Summer", "Kindness", "The Rain", "Real Eyes", "River Side", "Summer Road".

"Kikujiro no Natsu" really moved me. It is also about something I always wanted/still want to try. To left everything for some time and go out in to the world on my own. Have adventures and be free and independence. For me, that is a one of the best movie I've ever watched.
What about you?

Robot Carnival

2011-04-26T18:23:00.003+02:00

Although I'm much tired, I don't want to take a rest, a real rest, like sleeping. I don't want to lose time for that. It's a fact I slept today only 4-5 hours and I feel exhausted. I have no idea why, to be honest with you. Obviously, you may say 4-5 is just not much enough, but I've been doing so by months and it wasn't THAT bad. Also, in the previous school year, I've been spending much less time for sleeping and it wasn't so bad. Maybe it's just change in the weather? Or could it be caused by medicines I need to take? I don't know. I'm actually pretty scared of taking my pill every next day - 4 days in a row it stuck in the esophagus. There is something not alright.
You might as well skip this entry.

Today I want to mention about "Robot Carnival", an anthology anime movie I watched on Saturday. It consists 9 short movies of different directors. They are all connected with robots.
I would say that every of them has a message for us. Some of them seems to be simply, others are really serious. I sorted in points all of them (I don't want to spoil, so my descriptions are very short):

1. Opening: Directed by Atsuko Fukushima and Katsuhiro Otomo
People living on the desert and their village they were able to built there. It shows an actual Robot Carnival treating these villagers.
2. Franken's Gears: Directed by Koji Morimoto
A mad professor who is giving a life to a Robot (it all looks like a famous scene with Frankenstein, a monster).
3. Deprive: Directed by Hidetoshi Omori
A Hero rescuing a girl, but also an entire universe, I guess.
4. Presence: Directed by Yasuomi Umetsu
A certain person constructing doll which soon begins to become like a real real human (it's in my opinion the hardest film out there).
5. Star Light Angel: Directed by Hiroyuki Kitazume
Well... Shoujo story presenting teenage girls and their relations with boys, I might say.
6. Cloud: Directed by Mao Lamdo
It shows a Robot walking through the time - the background is changing all the time.
7. A Tale of Two Robots -- Chapter 3: Foreign Invasion: Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo
A battle between 2 gigantic robots - conducted by a bunch of kids and on the second side - a crazy professor convinced of his genius. He invades the city and already mentioned kids are fighting with him.
8. Nightmare (a.k.a. Chicken Man and Red Neck in Tokyo): Directed by Takashi Nakamura
A collapse of the city at the night. Robots completely destroyed it and are everywhere. Only a one drunken person was conscious and fast enough to run.
9. Ending: Directed by Atsuko Fukushima and Katsuhiro Otomo
Disintegration of Robot Carnival.

Epilogue - Years later a man discovers an orb among the remains and brings it back to his family. It is a music box featuring a miniature robot ballerina.

As I mentioned already, I tried to describe all of these stories in a way you don't realize endings. I can only recommend you to just watch it. It is worth to do. This movie is definitely something different among others. May I say it is ambitious? Yes, it is. I don't think casual, commercialized watchers could enjoy it. And that is the point. Well, it's all up to you and what you expect.

What is the reason that I reached for this movie? Joe Hisaishi! No kidding.
So what I need to mention about yet is obviously the original soundtrack, composed by no one else than him. Why I took this movie among others Hisaishi made a music for? Somebody mentioned it is similar to Chrono Trigger's... I was really surprised, but also interested if that could really be the truth. Is it? Honestly, only one track is familiar with one of Mitsuda's composition. What I must mention is the fact that the whole score wasn't created only by Hisaishi, but also two other composers - Isaku Fujita and Masahisa Takeichi.
Generally, we can hear the electronic music. It is not a surprise if you take a look at the the year of release this production and bear in mind that at the beginning of the career, Hisaishi was combining his compositions mainly with this "genre". It is ok, but not superb for me.

Disc 1

01	COMING SOON -OPENING-
02	NIWA-TORI OTOKO TO AKAI KUBI I
03	NIWA-TORI OTOKO TO AKAI KUBI IV
04	RAIHŌSHA
05	DEPRIVE
06	PRESENCE III
07	PRESENCE V
08	-WA-
09	-SAI-
10	NANI?
11	STRUGGLE
12	ŌRA
13	HEART & HAND
14	MERRY-GO-ROUND
15	UNIT 1
16	UNIT 2
17	NIWA-TORI OTOKO TO AKAI KUBI II
18	NIWA-TORI OTOKO TO AKAI KUBI III
19	BATTLE
20	PRESENCE I
21	PRESENCE IV
22	PROLOGUE
23	IN THE WHITE CLOUD
24	SILENT
25	TWILIGHT
26	BŪRU NA KIMOCHI

27 SEE YOU AGAIN -ENDING-

Disc length: 1:08:25

Melody: Joe Hisaishi - 1-9, 13-21, 26, 27; Isaku Fujita - 10-12, 22-25
Arrangement: Joe Hisaishi - 1-9, 15-21, 27; Isaku Fujira - 10-12, 22-25
Masahisa Takeichi - 13-14, 26

I want to share with you the track which I found to be familiar with Mitsuda's "Corridors of Time" (or "Zeal theme").
Compare yourself! "UNIT 2" and "Corridors of Time".
Maybe you don't know yet, but Yasunori Mitsuda is my idol.

P.S My style of writing might have been worsened, because while making this post I was angry. I already have written the whole text, but... Because of something I needed to rewrite it. It surely is not that "good" as the original and I can't help that. Sorry.
I'm also going to write about "Kikujiro no Natsu" soon, an another masterpiece of Takeshi Kitano with the music composed by Joe Hisaishi... It is a very important point of my life as a film fan.

2011-04-20T00:44:00.000+02:00

I also would like to inform you about festival academies which program fmf announced today. Only in Polish for now, though.

Inter - what is happening?

2011-04-14T00:43:00.000+02:00

I won't avoid mentioning Nerrazzuri anymore. I really am disappointed after what had happened today as well as week before. If someone doesn't know it - F.C. Internazionale Milano (Inter Mediolan/Milan) lost 1-2 today with Schalke 04 in a leg match in the Champions League. What else I need to say? It is not like I suspected Inter to win 4-0, but somehow I believed it could be possible. I don't think I should accuse lads. Today the played really a balanced match. The final score is not fair in my opinion, but... who really cares about one more or one more less goal in this statement. Assuming 2 matches, it ended with 7-3 for Schalke. It is like a defeat with AC Milan prophesied the bad turnover of cases... After the victory with Bayern and "happy" randomization when it appeared Inter plays with Schalke 04, nobody assumed it will "end" like that. Ok, not an end at all. There is still a chance to get Scudetto (6 fixtures and only 5 points to Milan - when now Nerazzurri don't need to concetrate on CL any longer... I hope they are able to keep winning) and won an Italian League Cup.
Highlights (I'm sorry it's Polish, but seems that only one available now, however strange it is):