Taro Ishida (composer) explained
Taro Ishida (born 8 November 1979) is a Japanese composer and music producer who specializes in gagaku, a type of classical Japanese music.[1] [2] [3] [4] He is known for arranging the soundtrack for the Hollywood series, Shogun.[5] [6] [7]
Early Life and Education
Taro Ishida was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and spent his early childhood in the United States before moving to Japan. He studied Chinese literature at Sophia University and later pursued music at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he specialized in electronic acoustics, composition, ethnomusicology, and Gagaku, a form of traditional Japanese court music. Ishida graduated with a master's degree and began his career as a professional composer while still a student.[8]
Career
In 2016, Ishida was appointed music director for the projection mapping event “Haruka” in Fukushima, following in the footsteps of renowned artists Ryuichi Sakamoto and Otomo Yoshihide. In 2018, he founded Drifter Inc., with the aim of musical innovation within the realm of Gagaku.
He has created music for institutions:Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, the Pompidou Centre, and the Mori Art Museum, including corporate clients: NHK, UNIQLO, and HONDA.
In 2021, Ishida launched the Gagaku project “Donburako” with artists Oorutaichi and members of the Reigakusha Ensemble, focusing on reimagining ancient Japanese music for contemporary audiences.[9]
Recent Works
In 2024, Taro Ishida participated as an arranger in the soundtrack for the Hollywood series "SHOGUN," produced by and starring Hiroyuki Sanada. He worked alongside Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, and Nick Chuba, incorporating elements of Japanese traditional music into the score.[10] [11]
Discography
Albums
- Grandfinale (2009)
- Includes tracks such as "Grand Finale," "Lacrimae Pavan," and "Time For Space For Time."
- NIGHT FLOWER (2021)
- Features tracks like "Star Song," a collaboration with Manami Kakudo.
- SHOGUN Original Soundtrack (2024)
- Participated as an arranger, contributing to compositions like "Main Title (Shōgun)" and "Osaka Castle."
EPs
- Asobi (2019)
- Features pieces like "Song of the Bones" and "Universal Song."
Singles
- "豊原駅の歌" (2018)
- "Drifters" (2021)
- "Because You Were There" feat. Manami Kakudo (2024)
Notable Collaborations
- Contributed to Oorutaichi's special band project "Hotokeno" (2020), where he arranged the song "Beloved Ones."
Selected Projects
- "Is Anyone There?" at the Pompidou Centre (2011)
- "Japan's Most Beautiful Island - Ōmi Island" (2014)
- Soundtrack for "SHOGUN" (2024, Arranger)
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: ミニコンサート「Music Garden −音楽の庭−」 . teien-art-museum.ne . 13 August 2024.
- Web site: 2024-07-31 . 雅楽の魅力世界に、作曲家の石田多朗さん 栃木那須在住 人物ファイル . 2024-08-13 . 日本経済新聞 . ja.
- Web site: Jackson . Destiny . 2024-06-10 . ‘Shōgun’ Composers Atticus Ross And Nick Chuba On Using Music From Feudal Japan In New Way – Sound & Screen TV . 2024-08-13 . Deadline . en-US.
- Web site: The man from 9 dimensions . 13 August 2024 . miraikan.jst.
- Web site: 人気ドラマ「SHOGUN 将軍」劇中曲制作で注目 那須在住の作曲家・石田さん「雅楽の概念覆す音楽」 . shimotsuke.co . 13 August 2024.
- Web site: 海外ドラマNAVI編集部 . 2024-06-16 . 『SHOGUN 将軍』作曲家、石田多朗とのコラボについて語る . 2024-08-13 . 海外ドラマNAVI . ja.
- Web site: 2024-07-24 . 歴史的快挙！石田多朗氏が音楽アレンジを担当した「SHOGUN」が、エミー賞音楽部門でノミネート IGNITE（イグナイト） . 2024-08-13 . ja.
- Web site: 雅楽の魅力世界に、作曲家の石田多朗さん 栃木那須在住人物ファイル . live . 13 August 2024.
- Web site: 石田 多朗（いしだ たろう） . hagiso.com . 13 August 2024.
- Web site: Furusawa . Hiromi . 2024-04-23 . 『SHOGUN 将軍』音楽製作の裏側：編曲を手掛ける雅楽作曲家 石田多朗さんインタビュー . 2024-08-13 . uDiscoverMusic 洋楽についての音楽サイト . ja.
- Web site: D’s Café supported by ディズニー★JCBカード 雅楽作曲家・音楽プロデューサー 石田多朗さんご来店！ . 2024-08-13 . D’s Café supported by ディズニー★JCBカード｜Every Sun. 11:20~11:45 . ja.
