Through less than reputable means, I have two tracks from the soundtrack album for Miyazaki’s upcoming film Howl’s Moving Castle. Tracks 2 and 5, “Wizard of the Moving Castle” and “Moving Castle,” respectively. Composed and conducted by Joe Hisaishi, Miyazaki’s longtime collaborater.
“Wizard” has a forboding, militaristic feel, with some playfulness added in. By militaristic you understand me to mean that it includes snare drums and a march rhythm. It feels like a journey, for some reason, and builds up nicely.
“Moving Castle” opens with deep strings lowing, then pensive winds striking an urgent beat. Snare drums enter briefly, then violins replace the winds and the main theme begins to build, carried by the low strings at first.
Out of context, I like the music quite a bit. It doesn’t have the exhiliration of Porco Rosso, the playful childlike quality of My Neighbor Totoro, nor quite so much grandeur as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, though it does come close to that last.
Still, it really, really makes me want to see the movie.
But you knew that.