MPO's Japanese conductor weaves music magic with anime film scores

Naohisa – proudly wearing an Ultraseven top – leading the musicians at the sold out 'Symphonic Anime' concert series at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur last weekend. Photo: MPO

Japanese conductor Naohisa Furusawa was really busy last weekend as the conductor for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra’s (MPO). The MPO has two resident conductors, Naohisa and Gerard Salonga, and the former was front-and-centre for the recently-concluded Symphonic Anime show series.

What began as a one-night only show on Saturday turned into four, with the addition of performances (on Friday, Saturday and a matinee show on Sunday). All shows sold out, including the rehearsal last Thursday, which was open to members of the public.