Hajime Mizoguchi
Encyclopedia
is a cellist
and composer
.
Mizoguchi started playing piano
in 1963, at the age of 3, and the cello in 1971. From 1978–1985 he attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
where he majored
in violoncello. While at school, he started playing the cello with Japanese pop-singers and working as a studio musician
for radio, TV, films, and albums.
In 1982, at the age of 22, he had a serious traffic accident which led to his composing.
In 1986, he released his first album, "Half inch dessert", being listed as composer, arranger
, and performer. From that time on, he has released more than 20 albums including motion picture soundtracks, has performed in many concert
s on his own or with ensembles
, has been a producer
for various musicians, and so on.
By the late 1980s, he was generally recognized as one of the leading musicians in Japan.
His compositions include the soundtrack
to the animated feature film
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. In 2006, he composed the music to Tokimeki Memorial Only Love
(along with Teruyuki Nobuchika) and the Fuji TV noitamina
series Jyu Oh Sei
.
He was married to composer Yoko Kanno
, with whom he collaborated on the soundtracks for Please Save My Earth
and Vision of Escaflowne. They divorced in 2007.
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Mizoguchi started playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
in 1963, at the age of 3, and the cello in 1971. From 1978–1985 he attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
or is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Kitasenju, Adachi, Tokyo...
where he majored
Academic major
In the United States and Canada, an academic major or major concentration is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits....
in violoncello. While at school, he started playing the cello with Japanese pop-singers and working as a studio musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
for radio, TV, films, and albums.
In 1982, at the age of 22, he had a serious traffic accident which led to his composing.
In 1986, he released his first album, "Half inch dessert", being listed as composer, arranger
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
, and performer. From that time on, he has released more than 20 albums including motion picture soundtracks, has performed in many concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s on his own or with ensembles
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, has been a producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
for various musicians, and so on.
By the late 1980s, he was generally recognized as one of the leading musicians in Japan.
His compositions include the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the animated feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. In 2006, he composed the music to Tokimeki Memorial Only Love
Tokimeki Memorial Only Love
is a Japanese anime series produced by Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., based on Konami's popular Tokimeki Memorial dating simulation series, specifically Tokimeki Memorial Online. It premiered October 3, 2006 across Japan on TV Tokyo. The anime series ended its run on March 27, 2007 with 25...
(along with Teruyuki Nobuchika) and the Fuji TV noitamina
Noitamina
– "Animation" written backwards – is a Fuji Television programming block, devoted to anime, originally broadcast each Thursday night from 24:45 to 25:15 . It was launched with the intention of expanding the target audience beyond the typical young male demographic...
series Jyu Oh Sei
Jyu Oh Sei
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Natsumi Itsuki. An 11-episode anime adaptation was animated by Bones and premiered April 13, 2006 in Japan as part of Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block....
.
He was married to composer Yoko Kanno
Yoko Kanno
is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements...
, with whom he collaborated on the soundtracks for Please Save My Earth
Please Save My Earth
, sometimes abbreviated Bokutama, is a shōjo science fiction manga by Saki Hiwatari. It was published by Hakusensha from 1987 to 1994 in Hana to Yume and collected in 21 tankōbon volumes. The series was adapted as a six-part anime OVA in 1993...
and Vision of Escaflowne. They divorced in 2007.