Addie MS:
Behind The Bright Lights

Addie MS, a self-taught music conductor, is one of the pioneers of symphonic music movement in Indonesia. His Twilite Orchestra, is the first orchestra from Indonesia that performed in The Konzerthaus Berlin as well as Sydney Opera House.
His love for music combined with his strong-willed nature allowed him to become one of the most well-known conductors in Indonesia, but his passion led him to his purpose in life, something that is bigger than himself.

He reshaped how symphonic music lives and breathes in Indonesia. At a time when classical orchestras were often seen as distant or elitist, he built bridges - introducing orchestral music to wider audiences through film scores, national ceremonies, television, and popular culture collaborations. As a conductor and composer, Addie MS has consistently translated complex symphonic traditions into something emotionally accessible, without diluting their artistic depth. His work helped normalize the presence of orchestras in Indonesia’s modern cultural identity.

Beyond performance, Addie MS’s lasting impact lies in institution-building and mentorship. Through decades of commitment to orchestral education and the founding of long-standing ensembles, he has nurtured generations of Indonesian musicians and expanded public appreciation for symphonic sound. This documentary film explores not only his musical achievements, but also his role as a cultural catalyst—someone who proved that orchestral music can belong to everyone, and that discipline, vision, and persistence can quietly transform a nation’s artistic landscape.