Japanese composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with celebrated harpist Emmanuel Ceysson, in a major world premiere recording that pairs his Symphony No. 3, “Metaphysica” with his new harp concerto. The virtuosic, genre-defying concerto received its world premiere in 2024 performed by Ceysson and the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the composer’s direction. Drawing on his decades of experience in film music, Hisaishi crafts a concerto that challenges traditional perceptions of the harp. Far from the instrument’s conventional delicacy, this three-movement work reveals a bold, dynamic voice — one that aligns closely with Ceysson’s distinctive, powerful playing style. The album also features Symphony No. 3, “Metaphysica,” a work that premiered in 2021 demonstrating Hisaishi’s mastery of large-scale orchestral writing while reflecting the influence of his symphonic hero, Gustav Mahler.