The LA Phil announces a five-year artistic partnership with internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi, who will serve as LA Phil Composer-in-Residence for the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford from the 2027/28 through 2031/32 seasons.

This engagement establishes a multi-faceted artistic partnership between Hisaishi and the LA Phil, encompassing recurring performances at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford as well as at Walt Disney Concert Hall; new commissions; recording projects; and educational and community engagement initiatives developed in collaboration with the Joe Hisaishi Foundation. Through a sustained commissioning relationship, Hisaishi will create new works specifically for the LA Phil and its audiences.

“Joe Hisaishi is one of the most influential and beloved musical voices of our time, whose work transcends genres, and resonates with audiences around the world,” said LA Phil President and CEO, David C. Bohnett Presidential Chair Kim Noltemy. ​“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to artistic innovation, and we are thrilled to welcome him as Composer-in-Residence the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. Together, we look forward to creating meaningful musical experiences while supporting the development of new work.”

Building on Hisaishi’s international acclaim as both a prolific composer and celebrated conductor, this appointment will create a platform for new artistic work, cross-cultural exchange, and educational initiatives that connect music with broader creative disciplines.

“Los Angeles holds a special place in my musical life — from the premiere of my Harp Concerto with the LA Phil’s Emmanuel Ceysson at Walt Disney Concert Hall to our recent performances at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. I am deeply honored to begin this new chapter as the LA Phil’s Composer-in-Residence at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. In the seasons ahead, I look forward to exploring new musical horizons with this extraordinary orchestra and sharing the spirit of discovery with audiences in Los Angeles and beyond,” said Hisaishi.

“Joe Hisaishi is that rare artist whose music is both deeply important and widely loved,” said Daniel Harding, the LA Phil’s incoming Music Director. ​“His music brings people together across generations and cultures, and he brings the same curiosity to the podium as he does to the page. A five-year partnership gives us the time to build something meaningful together, and I look forward to the new works he will write for this orchestra and the new audiences we will reach with them.”

“The LA Phil’s high-level commitment to artistic ambition and innovation makes this long-term relationship with Joe Hisaishi a perfect match. From new compositions, classical repertoire to his contemporary Music Future series, his huge range of projects will span Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford and cater to all audiences. Joe’s incredible ability to connect to people of all ages and backgrounds globally will be supported by this partnership, providing a strong framework to further amplify his creativity and creation. We are very excited to see what this partnership will deliver to the world,” said Moema Parrott, CEO, HarrisonParrott Group & Associated Companies.

This announcement comes at a bountiful and prolific time for the composer and conductor. This summer saw a world recording-breaking run of sold out shows at Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall in New York, as well as two performances at Carnegie Hall and his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at Tanglewood. This week he returns to San Francisco Symphony where he performs his Concerto for Orchestra (premiered earlier in 2026), and later this year sees a multi-date tour of Germany and Switzerland with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and performances in Singapore with Orchestre de Paris.

Hisaishi is also Composer-in-Association of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (appointed in April 2024), Composer in Residence with the Philadelphia Orchestra since October 2025 and Compositeur en Resonance at the Paris Philharmonie from the start of 2026/2027 season, and is the Music Director designate of Japan Century Symphony Orchestra since April 2025.