This beautiful, lyrical melody is so colorful in the film, without having an imposing image. "The Wind Rises" (2013) does not dominate the visual, and perhaps is an ideal form of film music considering this is director Miyazaki's final production. Chamber ensembles with solos and strings are frequently used in the soundtrack, so the sound is mellow and soft. As you listen more and more, you still recognize the tradition of Ghibli music.
When I arrange, I try not to visualize the image of a film. I may think of characters and story line but is it important to write music that alone is appealing and fascinating. Trying not to "overstate" the film is not needed here. If you can bring out the most appealing parts of the soundtrack, excess can be forgiven. Of course, I have not changed the musical elements of the original.
I asked Mr. Tomoki Ubata (band director at Ina Gakuen Sr. High School) whom I have worked with numerous times to assist with layout. He came up with a heartwarming medley with two main parts; leading boy Jiro's gift for aeronautical design and his romance with the heroine, Natsuko.

The following themes are contained in the arrangement:

1. Nahoko (A Rainbow) Beginning
2. Caproni (An Aeronautical Designer's Dream) C
3. A Journey (An Encounter at Karuizawa) H
4. The Falcon I
5. Prototype 8 N
6. A Journey (A Parting) & A Journey (A Dream of Flight) P

It is quite remarkable, looking back on 30 years of Studio Ghibli's achievements.

(Kazuhiro Morita)