Musical Monday: “The Legend of Ashitaka” & “Journey to the West” (Princess Mononoke), composed by Joe Hisaishi

This week’s tracks are cousins: both are effectively variations on the main musical refrain of Princess Mononoke, one of my favourite movies (animated or otherwise). “Legend of Ashitaka” is the conventionally heroic version, strong but a bit wistful;  “Journey to the West” is the more upbeat and adventurous of the two.  The versions I’ve attached below are from the “A Night in Fantasia 2004” orchestral concert, which I was fortunate enough to attend. Enjoy!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oybMC9iIar8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJGqmf5vG9w