Release Date: 16/10/26
Beneath Painted Skies is a symphonic reinterpretation of titles from Studio Ghibli, bringing together a sweeping collection of themes and cues associated with the films of Studio Ghibli, from the windswept wonder of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and the airborne adventure of Castle in the Sky, to the delicate nostalgia of Only Yesterday, the emotional grandeur of Princess Mononoke, and the dreamlike beauty of Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.
The album pays tribute to the remarkable emotional range of this music: tender, pastoral melodies, soaring orchestral themes, intimate character pieces, and moments of quiet reflection. Across the collection, London Music Works and Nick Squires bring a rich, cinematic sensitivity to these much-loved works, capturing the sense of flight, memory, childhood, loss, wonder, and magic that has made this music resonate across generations.
The tracklist spans more than four decades of iconic animated cinema, including music from My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Grave of the Fireflies, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, The Wind Rises, When Marnie Was There, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Up on Poppy Hill, and The Boy and the Heron.
With performances by London Music Works and Nick Squires, Beneath Painted Skies offers a beautifully crafted journey through one of film music’s most enchanting landscapes.