Aubrey Suwito jadi figura utama OSK selepas 30 tahun di belakang tabir

Aubrey Suwito, a Malaysian composer and singer, has been recognized as the leading figure of the National Symphony Orchestra (OSK) following a 30-year career of popular songs. The 60-year-old recently received an unprecedented honor as the first local composer to receive this recognition for his performance of "Pop Meets Symphony" at the National Arts Culture Centre, Kuala Lumpur on October 2 and 3.

Suwito created history by becoming the first local composer to receive this prestigious award for his 16 compositions, including "Gemilang", "Seribu Impian", "Memori Tercipta", "Gemuruh" and "Lebih Indah", presented in symphonic arrangement. Speaking to FMT, Suwito expressed his initial disbelief at the selection, but considered it a recognition not just for himself but also for the composers and creative minds who have worked behind the scenes.

He added, "I am proud that not only a performer on stage has been honored, but also those behind the scenes."

The composition for the concert took nearly three months to prepare, with each song requiring four to six hours of work. Suwito, who has worked with Siti Nurhaliza, David Foster and Brian McKnight and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, expressed his interest in exploring traditional music. Shiha Zikir, who presented his debut song "Jodoh" at the concert, emphasized the growing landscape of music that combines pop, symphony and traditional elements.

Mohd Fairuz Tauhid, the concert's producer, highlighted how the event allowed him to know the other side of Suwito, beyond his compositions. For him, the main challenge was not creating a symphony, but finding a balance between relatable pop music and the often exclusive orchestra. Suwito, for the first time, collaborated with OSK through this performance, a role that he is proud of.

The selection of Suwito was seen as a well-deserved recognition of his contribution to the local music industry by both Syamel and Ernie Zakri. For Shiha, being chosen to perform his new song was not just a special performance but a great honor when selected by such a renowned composer.