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Merry-Go-Round of Life is probably one of the most famous Anime Soundtracks which has ever been composed and I spent a lot of time to think of the best way to create a satisfying piano arrangement.
0:00 Introduction
0:53 Variation 1 “Tempo di valse”
2:15 Intermezzo
2:40 Variation 2 “Scherzo”
3:25 Variation 3 “Dolcissimo”
4:31 Finale
I started by re-watching the movie again and analyzing as many scenes as possible to gather inspiration for my arrangement. I realized that the famous main melody has been used in 12 different occasions in the movie and each of them are arranged in a different atmosphere by the brilliant composer Joe Hisaishi.
Inspired by the 12 original soundtracks, I decided to create a variation arrangement, showcasing different moods of the music. The arrangement structure is mostly based on the official video “Merry-Go-Round of Life” on Joe Hisaishi YouTube channel. I only added a new variation in 3:25 and extended the finale in 4:31.
Since the title of the song is quite literally “Merry-Go-Round of Life”, I designed the flow of music to retell the life story of Howl.
0:13 A simple melody describing Howl's childhood and his humble beginnings.
0:57 Once he has reached Adulthood, he is being faced by the reality of society as a professional wizard. Symbolized by the complicated octaves in the right hand and multiple voicings.
2:06 Finally met Sophie and slowly develops a romance with her. The left hand is playing a different harmonization now, this time in a major key.
2:40 This playful segment represents the various adventures he is having with Sophie and the other characters. Interestingly, it also reminds me of the symphonic poem “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” from Paul Dukas.
3:23 Howl is finally opening his heart to Sophie and showed her the flower garden - his secret hideout from his childhood days. Represented by sorrowful piano notes in the high register.
4:24 Gathering his determination to do the right thing. The “introduction” melody from the very beginning is being cited here again to build up the music.
4:31 Finale and conclusion of his story with a virtuoso octave passage at the end.
The final chord (E6/9sus2) in the original song is especially interesting, because it is an open chord without a definite conclusion in the music. I have a feeling, Joe Hisaishi created this chord on purpose to let the viewers know, that Howl's story will still continue - similar to a Merry-Go-Round which continues to spin around.
It is hard to describe which composer has influenced me the most for this arrangement. I’d say I was inspired by the rich texture of Liszt music, the sensitivity of Chopin music and the romantic harmonization in Rachmaninoff music. But most importantly, I had the desire to tell a story with the music alone. Perhaps this is what motivates me to continue creating Arrangements in the "Animenz style"...
Well then, thank you reading my “Animenz explains” column this week! I hoped you liked my analysis and gained some insight behind the creation of this arrangement!
See you next time again!
Animenz
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🎹Piano arrangement by Animenz
Original Song: Merry-Go-Round of Life / 人生のメリーゴーランド
Anime: Howl's Moving Castle / ハウルの動く城
Published by: Studio Ghibli Records (2004)
Composed by: Joe Hisaishi
Performed by: New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
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#ghibli #joehisaishi #merrygoroundoflife #howl
