"Joe Hisaishi in Vienna" features two world premieres: "Symphony No. 2," recorded live at the Musikverein with the Wiener Symphoniker, and "Viola Saga," featuring soloist Antoine Tamestit. Joe Hisaishi is best known for his film scores, particularly his collaborations with Studio Ghibli creator Hayao Mayazaki. In 2023, Hisaishi's score for their latest feature film, The Boy and the Heron, earned him his first-ever Golden Globe nomination. Over the decades, however, Joe Hisaishi has also earned considerable respect for his work outside the film world, having built an extensive catalog of contemporary classical works. Many of these are inspired by the minimalism and experimental compositions of friends and colleagues such as Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and Terry Riley, as well as by the rich musical heritage of Japan and Western classical traditions.