Magnolia Chamber Orchestra (Japan)

Magnolia Chamber Orchestra is a Japan‑based, project‑based ensemble founded in 2008 by conductor Kazuhiro Fujita and alumni of the Ritsumeikan University Symphony Orchestra.
It operates on an ichigo‑ichie, project‑by‑project basis, recruiting musicians anew for each performance.
Today, members come from diverse backgrounds beyond the original university circle.
The orchestra is active mainly in the Keihanshin region (Kyoto, Takatsuki, Suita), presenting an annual subscription concert and collaborative projects.

Selected highlights:

Pops Project (since 2014), exploring repertoire beyond the traditional classical canon

World premieres of four works for electric guitar and orchestra with guitarist‑composer Masaaki Watanuki at Biwako Hall (2015)

Narrated concerts, including Gauche the Cellist (2017) and Memories of Beethoven (2019)

Japan premiere of Bo Linde’s Violin Concerto with Marina Bano (2021)

Performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the 15th Subscription Concert (2024)