The Philadelphia Orchestra Appoints Joe Hisaishi Composer-in-Residence through 2026–27 Season

New artistic partnership includes world premiere commission, a major commercial recording, contemporary music series, and mentorship for students of composition in Philadelphia

(Philadelphia, October 2, 2025)—In advance of his return appearance in November, internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi has been named composer-in-residence of The Philadelphia Orchestra for two seasons, effective immediately through the 2026–27 season. In this role, he will record a major commercial release, provide mentorship for students of composition in Philadelphia through partnerships with schools and conservatories, curate a series of contemporary music concerts, and conduct The Philadelphia Orchestra in Marian Anderson Hall in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons, including leading the world premiere of his Piano Concerto with Alice Sara Ott, a work written for the pianist, in the spring of 2027.

Hisaishi made his Orchestra debut in June 2025 with three sold-out performances, praised in the Philadelphia Inquirer as “fully transporting.” His previously announced concerts with the Orchestra on November 13 and 14 in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will mark his first engagements in Philadelphia as composer-in-residence. The concerts will feature selections from his Studio Ghibli film scores Howl’s Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky, paired with his symphonic work DA-MA-SHI-E and Britten’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell. 

“It was a great honor to make my Philadelphia Orchestra debut in June and to work with one of the best orchestras in the world,” said Hisaishi. “My time in Philadelphia was inspiring, and I look forward to more years of artistic partnership with the musicians and leadership of the Orchestra.” 

“Joe had a remarkable debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and it was immediately clear that something special had taken place—both on stage and in the concert hall,” said Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “Joe brings a singular voice that bridges cultures, genres, and generations, and we are thrilled to welcome him into the Philadelphia Orchestra family.”

“Joe Hisaishi is a legendary figure in music who is renowned across the globe and beloved by audiences of all ages and backgrounds,” said President and CEO Ryan Fleur. “As we celebrate the Orchestra’s 125th anniversary and its role as a pioneer in classical music, creative partnerships like this will continue to keep us at the forefront of innovation and provide a welcoming space for all music lovers.” 

Composer, conductor, and pianist Joe Hisaishi has established himself as a formidable force in contemporary music for his delicately crafted symphonic and solo works, as well as his globally successful film music. He is greatly in demand as a conductor performing with the most notable symphony orchestras across the globe. With nearly 40 solo albums and over 100 film scores to his name, he is one of the most celebrated composers of our time. 

Many of Hisaishi’s iconic works have been brought to huge live audiences in his recent sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden in New York, La Defense in Paris, and Olympic Hall in Munich. His recent works, demonstrating his contemporary style, include The East Land Symphony (Symphony No. 1) (2016); Asian Symphony (2017); The Border, Concerto for 3 Horns and Orchestra (2020); Symphony No. 2 (2021); Metaphysica (Symphony No. 3) (2021); Viola Saga for Orchestra (2023); and Harp Concerto (2024). On August 8, 2025, Hisaishi released a Deutsche Grammophon recording of his work The End of the World and the Japanese premiere of Steve Reich’s The Desert Music, played by Future Orchestra Classics in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. 

Since 2014, he has been presenting contemporary music concerts called “MUSIC FUTURE” in Tokyo, bringing together the works and talents of notable collaborators including Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner, Phillip Glass, David Lang, and Terry Reilly. He has also previously traveled with the series to Carnegie Hall in New York and Seattle. In 2017, Hisaishi embarked on the world tour “Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert: The Music from Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki,” which traveled to Paris, Melbourne, San Jose, Los Angeles, New York, Prague, and other cities. The tour concluded in July 2025 with a final performance at Tokyo Dome, drawing a total of 130,000 fans across three shows. In July 2019, he launched the concert series “Future Orchestra Classics (FOC),” releasing Beethoven: Complete Symphonies, which won a Special Award in the Japan category at the 57th Record Academy Awards. 

Hisaishi is the recipient of both the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, given by the government of Japan. He was appointed composer-in-association of the Royal Philharmonic in April 2024, and he is the music director of the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra from April 2025.