A bit of a concert recap

So hard to describe, but so very wonderful.

Music we all love, from movies we all love.

An elderly man, animated and clearly happy to be there. Always making sure to give credit to the musicians.

When he sat down at the piano and started to play, a seemingly simple tune, I started to weep. I'm not sure my eyes were dry for more than a few minutes during the whole concert, neither were Anne-Chloe's, or Perry's or Molly's.

It was... music that tugged at your heartstrings, for my children, it was the soundtrack of their childhoods, for me... well, it was as well. Chihiro, Kiki, Nausicaa, and even Ponyo, friends of theirs.

So much music, so many films tied into the moment when a young girl comes into her own, often at the cusp of childhood, and shows the person she will be when she finishes her journey.

The soloists, one so sparkly, one in flowing lavender with sparkly shoes, Hisaishi's daughter, as he told us, in accented English.

There were encores, and encores. He smiled and waved. and I don't think I've ever been to a concert that has left me so emotionally.... engaged. From sobbing through much of it, to the end, the joy and smiles of Totoro.

The screen above showed clips from the films, but also the musicians, the singers, Hisaishi. And a message of hope and goodwill, that we'd emerge happy and healthy from these difficult times.

It was extraordinary. I am glad we got to go. Postponed twice, planned in a world pre-Covid, this felt like so very wonderful.

A few images.