Aubrey Suwito (left) with Ernie Zakri, Syamel and Shiha Zikir at the close of ‘NSO with Aubrey Suwito: Pop Meets Symphony’ at Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya.KUALA LUMPUR: For more than three decades, Aubrey Suwito has been the name behind some of Malaysia's best music - writing, arranging and producing songs that became part of the soundtrack of Malaysian pop.

This month, the spotlight finally turned his way. The 60-year-old became the first local composer to be honoured with his own National Symphony Orchestra concert through “NSO with Aubrey Suwito: Pop Meets Symphony”, held at Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya, on Oct 2 and 3.

Sixteen of his compositions, including “Gemilang”, “Seribu Impian”, “Memori Tercipta”, “Gemuruh” and “Lebih Indah”, were reimagined with symphonic arrangements, giving familiar songs a new scale and sweep.