Symphony Live In Istanbul cover

Symphony Live In Istanbul

Kitarō · 2014

66 min · 8 tracks · electronica

A sweeping orchestral landscape marries traditional Japanese motifs with electronic textures, creating an immersive auditory experience.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Heaven & Earth Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the entire concert, featuring expansive melodies that evoke a sense of cosmic wonder and serenity.
  • →
    Silk Road — Known as one of Kitarō's signature pieces, this track blends traditional instrumentation with lush orchestration, capturing the essence of cultural exchange.
  • →
    Matsuri — A vibrant and rhythmic piece that showcases Kitarō's ability to fuse celebratory traditional sounds with contemporary arrangements, energizing the audience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Kitarō's signature blend of orchestral and electronic music, creating immersive soundscapes.

What we noticed

  • The album features long, flowing compositions that often exceed six minutes, allowing themes to develop gradually.
  • The live recording captures the nuances of the performance, with audience reactions subtly integrated into the mix.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • serene soundscapes for relaxation
  • gradual builds toward emotional release
  • immersive listening in quiet spaces
  • transportive journey through vast landscapes

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking fast-paced excitement
  • prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows Kitarō's continued vitality with rich soundscapes in a live setting.
Career context
Released in 2014, Symphony Live In Istanbul is a significant addition to Kitarō's extensive discography, following his successful 2007 album Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai. This live recording captures a unique moment in Kitarō's career, showcasing his ability to blend ambient and orchestral elements on an international stage.
Stylistic neighbors
Vangelis· Enya· Jean-Michel Jarre

Tracklist

  • 1 Heaven & Earth Start here 13:52
  • 2 Thinking of You 5:52
  • 3 Orochi 6:50
  • 4 Silk Road 5:55
  • 5 Kokoro (Part II) 5:21
  • 6 Mercury 8:41
  • 7 Reimei 8:55
  • 8 Matsuri 10:32

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata