Spirited Away Selections
Ever since I first watched Spirited Away, I’ve been captivated by Joe Hisaishi’s music. The soundtrack is nothing short of magical, and it’s stayed with me ever since. This EP is my way of revisiting some of my favourite pieces from the film, reimagined on the piano.
Each track I’ve chosen is highly recognisable, and while I would’ve loved to cover them all, I focused on four of my favourites to keep the project manageable. Of these, I think Reprise stands out as my favourite. It’s a challenging piece, but that’s what makes it so rewarding to play. The contrasting sections make it especially engaging, offering a mix of moods and dynamics that are both fun and fulfilling to explore.
That said, all the tracks I selected are beautiful in their own way. I’ve enjoyed the process of learning and interpreting them on piano, and I hope you find as much joy in listening to them as I did in bringing them to life.
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One Summer Day is one of the most beloved pieces from Spirited Away, and it’s easy to see why. Heard early in the film, this piece introduces us to the magical world that Chihiro is about to enter. Its delicate, yet inviting melody sets the tone for the adventure ahead, blending a sense of wonder with a comforting familiarity.
The melody is undeniably pretty, with contrasting sections that add depth and variety to the piece. There’s a warmth and comfort in the music, created by harmonies that are carefully crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia and peace. As you listen, it’s easy to picture a serene summer day, where time seems to slow down, and everything feels just right.
This arrangement brings out the beauty of the original while allowing the listener to experience the music in a more intimate setting. The warmth and gentle flow of the piece make it a joy to play and a pleasure to listen to, capturing the essence of the film in a way that’s both soothing and evocative.
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The Sixth Station plays during one of the most poignant scenes in Spirited Away, where Chihiro rides a nearly empty train across a vast, flooded landscape. This moment in the film is quiet and reflective, as Chihiro contemplates her journey and the mysterious world she’s become a part of. The music perfectly captures this sense of introspection and the surreal nature of her experience.
The piece is rich with colour, filled with extended chords and harmonies that create a vivid, atmospheric soundscape. There’s a mysterious quality to the music that mirrors Chihiro’s own thoughts and emotions as she processes everything she’s encountered. The melody is sparse and unpredictable, with each note carefully placed to float above the harmony, giving the piece an ethereal, almost weightless quality.
In this arrangement, the music’s subtlety is brought to the forefront, allowing the listener to experience the depth of its harmonies and the delicate balance of the melody. The piece is both introspective and haunting, making it a powerful reflection of one of the film’s most memorable scenes.
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Reprise is heard toward the end of Spirited Away, capturing the emotional resolution of the film. This arrangement is more challenging to play but is incredibly rewarding, offering a deep connection to the music’s lyrical melodies.
The piece features two main themes that complement each other beautifully, creating a seamless flow from one to the next. I’m particularly fond of the calm section, where an ostinato in the right hand is paired with lush chords in the left hand, providing a peaceful contrast to the rest of the piece.
While the original version boasts rich tone colors from the orchestra, this piano arrangement still conveys the essence of the music in a way that’s both satisfying to play and to listen to. Though the piano doesn’t capture the full range of the orchestral palette, the arrangement highlights the music’s beauty in its own unique way.
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Always With Me has a special place in the history of Japanese cinema. Composed by Youmi Kimura, this song was originally written before Spirited Away was even conceived. However, when Hayao Miyazaki heard it, he knew it perfectly captured the essence of the film he was creating. The song is featured at the end of Spirited Away, playing as Chihiro returns to the real world after her extraordinary adventure.
This piece has always resonated with me, and I’ve loved it since the first time I heard it. The simple melody and harmony give it an emotional depth that is both comforting and bittersweet. This arrangement adds a layer of depth while staying true to the original. The contrasting textures and styles of each section bring out different facets of the piece without overshadowing the beauty of the original melody and harmony.
Playing this piece remains a joy for me, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I do performing it.