Red Events Present: Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams By Mystery Ensemble
On August 23rd, I stepped into St. George’s Church in Kemptown and instantly felt that buzz you get when you just know something special is about to happen.
The church itself is breathtaking with high ceilings that seemed to stretch forever, with acoustics so clear and resonant that even the softest note hung in the air like starlight. It was the perfect backdrop for Miyazaki Dreams, a concert dedicated to the magical worlds of Hayao Miyazaki.
The Mystery Ensemble consisted of just a grand piano, a cello, and two violins, who walked onstage quietly, without fanfare, but from the very first note they cast a spell. The music of Joe Hisaishi is already woven into the hearts of so many of us who grew up with films like Spirited Away, Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. But hearing those pieces live, in such an intimate setting felt completely new.
The opening from My Neighbor Totoro made me smile instantly — playful, light, and full of childlike wonder. The violins danced, while the cello gave everything a grounding warmth. When they moved into Spirited Away, the atmosphere shifted; the church seemed to grow hushed, as if the walls themselves were listening. The cello carried this aching depth, and the violins floated above it like whispers, it was haunting and beautiful all at once.
Howl’s Moving Castle swept me up completely. Romantic, grand, and tender, it bloomed in the space until it felt like we were all inside the film itself. And then Laputa: Castle in the Sky, breathtaking. At moments fragile enough to break your heart, then suddenly soaring, filling the hall with pure light.
What amazed me most was how just four musicians created whole worlds. Without any film or visuals, the music painted everything; forests, castles, skies, spirits, right there in front of us. By the time the last note faded, the audience was on its feet, clapping and cheering, reluctant to let the moment go.
Miyazaki Dreams wasn’t just a concert. It was a journey into memory, imagination, and emotion, the kind of night that stays with you long after the music ends. I highly recommend…
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Upcoming Event:
The Music Of The Lord Of The Rings. Tribute To Howard Shore
- 19 September 19:00
- St. George’s Church, Brighton
- £23-32
Book tickets here
