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 best known for arranging the soundtrack for the Hollywood series Shogun, which was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Music Composition and Main Title Theme Music.[5][6][7]
Taro Ishida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Education | Tokyo University of the Arts (master’s in music) |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Composer, Music Producer |
Early life and education
editTaro 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][1]
Career
editIn 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.[1]
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.[4]
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
editIn 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. While SHOGUN won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, the soundtrack itself was nominated for Outstanding Music Composition and Main Title Theme Music at the Emmy Awards.[10][11][5]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- 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
edit- Asobi (2019)
- Features pieces like "Song of the Bones" and "Universal Song."
Singles
edit- "豊原駅の歌" (2018)
- "Drifters" (2021)
- "Because You Were There" feat. Manami Kakudo (2024)
Notable Collaborations
edit- Contributed to Oorutaichi's special band project "Hotokeno" (2020), where he arranged the song "Beloved Ones."
Selected Projects
edit- "Is Anyone There?" at the Pompidou Centre (2011)
- "Japan's Most Beautiful Island - Ōmi Island" (2014)
- Soundtrack for "SHOGUN" (2024, Arranger)
References
edit- ^ a b c "ミニコンサート「Music Garden −音楽の庭−」". teien-art-museum.ne. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "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". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ Jackson, Destiny (2024-06-10). "'Shōgun' Composers Atticus Ross And Nick Chuba On Using Music From Feudal Japan In New Way – Sound & Screen TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ a b "The man from 9 dimensions". miraikan.jst. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b "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. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ 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". 海外ドラマNAVI (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ "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）" (in Japanese). 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ "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". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "石田 多朗（いしだ たろう）". hagiso.com. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ 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". uDiscoverMusic | 洋楽についての音楽サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ "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！". D’s Café supported by ディズニー★JCBカード｜Every Sun. 11:20~11:45 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-13.