Joe Hisaishi’s score for Spirited Away (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, plays a crucial role in shaping the film’s narrative, emotional depth, and international appeal. I explore how Hisaishi’s compositions interact with the film’s cinematography and character development by analyzing four key tracks: One Summer’s Day, The Dragon Boy, Day of the River, and It’s Hard Work. I examine how the score reflects Chihiro’s emotional journey to create an immersive experience for audiences: it aligns with Chihiro’s perspective rather than the audience’s (often adults’) expected reactions. Additionally, I discuss the integration of Japanese and Western musical elements and explain how Hisaishi’s orchestration contributes to the film’s universal resonance while creating a Japanese feeling. Finally, I touch on the rearrangement of the music in a theatre adaptation of the film, pointing out how the same melodies can be used and perceived differently under different circumstances. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program and the Nolt Music Award. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Matthew Butterfield, Department of Music

In our group we have investigated compounds of the form [Cp*Rh(bpy)Cl]+, which are capable of coupling 2H+ and 2e– into H2. Our group has shown that these complexes undergo previously unrecognized bidentate ligand dissociation events upon electron transfer (ET) to the Rh center. We have previously shown that bidentate ligand exchange occurs at the RhII state and have explored these processes electrochemically. Our most recent findings suggest that these same exchange processes involving the bidentate ligand are also operative at the substitutionally inert RhIII state. In our current work, we have induced bidentate ligand exchange at the RhIII state via thermolysis and photolytic methods. The various modes of ligand exchange reactivity of half-sandwich Rh complexes supported by diverse bidentate ligands and their potential relevance to catalytic mechanisms will be discussed. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Davide Lionetti, Department of Chemistry