On this delightful collection of beloved hits from the Ghibli universe, Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring these songs to life with equal parts whimsical wonder, choral heft, and lush orchestral layering. A Symphonic Celebration indeed, the spirits are unmistakably high on triumphant moments such as "Merry-Go-Round of Life" from Howls Moving Castle and the bombastic introduction to Nausicaas "The Legend of the Wind" and the percussion-heavy stomper "The Battle between Mehve and Corvette." The latter films receive the most representation here, while Kikis Delivery Service, The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, and, of course, My Neighbor Totoro all make their mark with familiar themes and deeper score cuts. While fan favorite Totoro has the honor of closing the show -- "Hey Lets Go" provides an ineffable amount of joy -- the grandeur and spiritual impact of the Princess Mononoke section is a definite standout (especially the shiver-inducing title track). Live vocals contribute to many of the highlights here, from the tender contemplation of Spirited Aways "One Summers Day," whose English-language version benefits from the angelic voice of Grace Davidson to the uplifting force of "Nausicaa Requiem" and the childlike "The Distant Days," which both feature a full choir. That blend of sweeping triumph and innocence permeates this collection, as one would expect, and the master delivers all the hits and then some. Even though there are plenty of variations of these songs, each successive collection warrants a listen. A Symphonic Celebration is no different, with Hisaishi and the Royal Philharmonic delivering a performance for the ages. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Rovi