Joe Hisaishi Named Composer-in-Residence with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia has appointed Joe Hisaishi as its composer-in-residence over the next two seasons. The new artistic partnership includes a world premiere commission and a major commercial recording.
The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced the appointment of Joe Hisaishi as its composer-in-residence through the 2026–27 season, marking a major new artistic partnership between the celebrated Japanese artist and one of America’s leading orchestras.
Hisaishi’s residency will encompass a wide-ranging set of projects: a world premiere commission, a major commercial recording, a curated contemporary music series, and a mentorship program for composition students in Philadelphia. The residency will see Hisaishi return to conduct The Philadelphia Orchestra during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons, including the world premiere of his new Piano Concerto, written for pianist Alice Sara Ott, in the spring of 2027.
The appointment follows Hisaishi’s sold-out debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in June 2025, a series of concerts hailed by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “fully transporting.” His upcoming performances conducting the ensemble on November 13–14, 2025, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, will mark his first appearance as composer-in-residence.
“It was a great honor to make my Philadelphia Orchestra debut in June and to work with one of the best orchestras in the world,” said Hisaishi. “My time in Philadelphia was inspiring, and I look forward to more years of artistic partnership with the musicians and leadership of the Orchestra.”
The Orchestra's Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin praised the appointment, noting that Hisaishi “brings a singular voice that bridges cultures, genres, and generations.” President and CEO Ryan Fleur added that the partnership aligns with the Orchestra’s commitment to inventive programming: “As we celebrate the Orchestra’s 125th anniversary and its role as a pioneer in classical music, creative partnerships like this will continue to keep us at the forefront of innovation and provide a welcoming space for all music lovers.”
A globally recognized composer, conductor, and pianist, Hisaishi has written more than 100 film scores and nearly 40 solo albums, earning acclaim for both his symphonic and cinematic music. His MUSIC FUTURE concert series, launched in Tokyo in 2014, has featured collaborations with leading contemporary composers including John Adams and Steve Reich, reflecting his deep engagement with new music. On August 8, 2025, Hisaishi released a Deutsche Grammophon recording of his work The End of the World and the Japanese premiere of Steve Reich’s The Desert Music, played by Future Orchestra Classics in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.
Photo: Nick Rutter