logo
‘Echoes of Love': Kuching pianist returns home in stirring recital with husband

‘Echoes of Love': Kuching pianist returns home in stirring recital with husband

Borneo Post3 days ago
Wong performs under the glow of stained-glass windows at St Peter's Church, Kuching, during the 'Echoes of Love' recital on July 1.
KUCHING (July 6): Kuching-born pianist Esme Wong made a memorable return to her hometown with a stirring classical recital alongside her husband, acclaimed American pianist Jacob Nydegger, in a performance titled 'Echoes of Love' on July 1.
Held at St Peter's Church in Padungan here, the concert unfolded under the soft glow of warm lights, setting the stage for an evening that lingered in the hearts of those in attendance.
For Wong, the performance was more than a concert – it was a homecoming.
This night marked a full-circle moment. From growing up in Sarawak to performing on stages like Carnegie Hall, Dresden Kulturpalast, and the Winspear Opera House, Wong's musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Wong and Nydegger in perfect synchrony at the piano, captivating the audience with their emotive and nuanced performance.
Now based in Dresden, she serves as an opera coach at Landesbühnen Sachsen and is actively involved in musical outreach in countries such as Bosnia and Cambodia – a reflection of her belief in music's power to heal and unite.
Her husband and musical partner, Nydegger, brought his own distinguished artistry to the recital.
A winner of the Petroff Piano Competition, he has performed at renowned venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Frauenkirche.
His playing in Kuching captivated with its breathtaking blend of power and elegance.
The pianist duo take a bow to a standing ovation after their heartfelt performance.
Their joint performance, marked by emotional intensity and technical mastery, moved the audience to silent awe, followed by a rousing standing ovation.
But more than the music, it was the profound sense of unity that struck a lasting chord – two worlds, two hearts, and one shared language: music.
'For us, this was more than a concert. It was a reminder that our roots can reach far, and yet still return home – stronger, kinder, and full of love,' Wong said. Echoes of Love Esme Wong Jacob Nydegger Kuching pianist St Peter's Church
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How a teenage boy became a ‘ninja fighting hunger'
How a teenage boy became a ‘ninja fighting hunger'

Herald Malaysia

time4 hours ago

  • Herald Malaysia

How a teenage boy became a ‘ninja fighting hunger'

At just 19 years old, Austin Baron is taking college classes, competing on sports reality television, making handmade dog toys, and raising tens of thousands of dollars to feed the hungry. How does he do it all? According to him, it's all thanks to 'the gifts God's given' him. Jul 08, 2025 Austin Baron at the 'American Ninja Warrior'course filming for Season 17 of the show. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Austin Baron By Tessa Gervasini At just 19 years old, Austin Baron is taking college classes, competing on sports reality television, making handmade dog toys, and raising tens of thousands of dollars to feed the hungry. How does he do it all? According to him, it's all thanks to 'the gifts God's given' him. Baron is a rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame and the founder of Knot Perfect, a nonprofit that has provided more than 100,000 meals to children and families across the globe. He is now using his participation on NBC's reality television show 'American Ninja Warrior' to help expand his outreach. Discovering his mission Baron was first moved to feed the hungry when he was 12 years old and volunteered at his parish, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia, to pack meals for Cross Catholic Outreach's food distribution ministry You(th) vs. Hunger. 'I learned that a billion people go to bed hungry each night,' Baron told CNA. 'The meals I was packing with my own hands would be the only food for someone else to eat.' 'That really inspired me to want to do something to help them. Billion is a big number, and I decided that I wanted to start collecting donations because that would be a way that we could pack more meals and feed more people.' Baron began collecting donations and gave them to a number of organizations that help provide meals but primarily to You(th) vs. Hunger. In order to 'excite people and to encourage them to donate,' he said, he decided to turn it into a fun experience by giving those who donated a handmade dog toy. 'I love animals — especially dogs,' Baron said. 'And around the same time that I wanted to start feeding the hungry, I started making dog toys. I watched videos to learn how to make them.' Since then, Baron has made more than 1,500 knotted dog toys. Around the time of the pandemic, it became more challenging for Baron to collect cash donations, so at 16 years old, with the help of his parents and brothers, Baron turned his project into a nonprofit that could collect online donations. He named the organization Knot Perfect to represent both the knotted toys and the imperfect world where hunger is an issue across the globe. Using 'American Ninja Warrior' to feed the hungry After starting Knot Perfect, Baron had an inspiring rock-climbing experience that sparked his next big move. 'I went rock climbing on a cliff over the Atlantic Ocean, and I really had a wonderful experience doing that. And then ... around the same time I was doing that, I started watching '[American] Ninja Warrior.'' 'American Ninja Warrior' is a sports-competition reality show that features athletes from around the country who compete on 'the most difficult obstacle courses.' Participants compete for the fastest time and race to get a 'button push' — pressing the buzzer at the end of the course indicating they completed the obstacle without falling off. After watching the series, Baron 'went to a 'Ninja Warrior' gym to train and to try the obstacles that were on the show, and [I] just really fell in love with the sport, and especially the ninja community.' 'Everyone was super supportive, even though we're all competing against each other on the course. Everyone helps each other and shares their tips and encourages them on all the obstacles … then a friend suggested that I apply for the show.''I didn't know if I was going to get in,' Baron said. '[But] I feel like God really blessed me with the opportunity to be on the show and to use it to advocate for an end to world hunger and to encourage other people to do good in the world.' Baron heard back that he was accepted for Season 15 of the show. In 2023, he participated and made it to the semifinal round. (Approximately 40,000 of the meals provided by Knot Perfect were a direct result of Baron's appearance on 'American Ninja Warrior.') Baron was invited to rejoin the show for Season 17, which is taking place in Las Vegas this summer. So far he has been a fierce competitor, hitting his first buzzer on the June 2 episode, which advanced him to the upcoming July 14 semifinals. Wearing a shirt that says 'Ninja Fighting Hunger' on the episode, Baron said he is 'dedicating [his] summer to being the hands and feet of Christ for the 1 billion people around the world who go to bed hungry each night.' Knot Perfect's next steps As much as Baron enjoys the course and community of 'American Ninja Warrior,' he said, 'The whole reason I go on the show is to advocate for world hunger … As a result of being on the season this year, we're trying to pack our 1-millionth meal as a community in northern Virginia. It's our 10-year anniversary of packing meals, and we have a big goal of hitting that million-meal mark.' The anniversary marks a milestone for You(th) vs. Hunger, and Baron said he hopes 'American Ninja Warrior' can help the Catholic community reach its goal, as a donation of just $10 allows the organization to feed 30 people. 'My mission of feeding the hungry, starting a nonprofit, and then going to the University of Notre Dame and competing on ['American Ninja Warrior'], I just felt that God has really blessed me with this opportunity,' Baron said. 'I felt his hands, him walking me, and helping me throughout it.' As he heads into his sophomore year, Baron will continue to study business analytics to continue his nonprofit and its mission after he graduates. He recently received two grants totaling $1,650 to help him reach his donation goals. He was also selected as the Virginia Young Man of the Year by the Knights of Columbus in 2024 for his work. But he gives all the credit to God. 'I'm so grateful to God for the gifts he's given me and to use it to do something good for other people. I couldn't have done any of this without him,' Baron said. 'It's him, not me. I'm so grateful to him for that.'--CNA

Minnie Meet & Greet, UNGU Concert & More: What To Do In The Klang Valley This Weekend!
Minnie Meet & Greet, UNGU Concert & More: What To Do In The Klang Valley This Weekend!

Hype Malaysia

time16 hours ago

  • Hype Malaysia

Minnie Meet & Greet, UNGU Concert & More: What To Do In The Klang Valley This Weekend!

The weekend is on the horizon, which means more events happening in the Klang Valley – and beyond – to look forward to! If you're looking for fun times to fill your agenda for this week, here's our list of activities – curated just for you! This weekend, we've got some exciting events lined up for you, including a bunch of concerts by Indonesian band UNGU, Taiwanese rock icon Wu Bai, Taiwanese singer Chiang Yu-heng and renowned saxophonist Kenny G! We also have a special orchestra concert celebrating Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland and a meet-and-greet with K-pop idol Minnie from i-dle! i-dle Minnie Meet & Greet With ecoBrown's Brice Wanna meet i-dle's MINNIE in person? Well, this is your shot! The K-pop idol will be in town this weekend to meet fans at the ecoBrown's Brice pop-up at 1 Utama Shopping Mall. The event is open to the public – but click here for more details about her appearance! Date: 12th July 2025 (Saturday) Venue: 1 Utama Shopping Mall 29th Symphony Of UNGU For the first time in its history, Indonesian band UNGU will rock the stage with the help of a full orchestra! Celebrate 29 years of music with an unforgettable evening featuring some of UNGU's biggest hits! Click here to get your tickets! Date: 12th July 2025 (Saturday) Venue: Plenary Hall, KL Convention Centre The Music Of Frank Sinatra & Judy Garland Travel back in time to Hollywood's Golden Age with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring two of the biggest names in mid-20th century American music: Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Click here to get tickets to relive the gilded glamour when showbiz was at its peak! Date: 12th July 2025 (Saturday) Venue: Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS Wu Bai & China Blue 'Rock Star 2' Rock out with Taiwanese rock legend Wu Bai and his band, China Blue! Join this rock carnival night where avant-garde and classics clash head-on, and retro and romantic passion interweave! Click here to get your ticket! Date: 12th July 2025 (Saturday) Venue: Axiata Arena Chiang Yu-Heng 'Forever' Concert Singer Chiang Yu-Heng is marking a strong return to the Malaysian stage after a long absence with his first large-scale concert! Enjoy a visual and audio festival full of emotional resonance for fans with his classic hits from a career spanning 40 years. Click here to get your tickets! Date: 13th July 2025 (Sunday) Venue: Axiata Arena Kenny G 'Timeless Legacy Tour' In Malaysia 2025 Acclaimed saxophonist Kenny G is bringing his 'Timeless Legacy' Tour to Malaysia, captivating audiences with his signature blend of jazz and pop! Expect a seamless blend of timeless classics and new compositions, fostering a memorable experience. Click here to get tickets! Date: 13th July 2025 (Sunday) Venue: Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting

NYC artist mocks Trump-era ICE with migrant tribute made from gold-painted street coolers
NYC artist mocks Trump-era ICE with migrant tribute made from gold-painted street coolers

Focus Malaysia

timea day ago

  • Focus Malaysia

NYC artist mocks Trump-era ICE with migrant tribute made from gold-painted street coolers

The Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants has sparked a wave of artistic resistance across the United States. In New York City, a striking installation by Mexican-American artist Victor Quinonez, known as 'Marka27', pays tribute to the resilience and cultural contributions of immigrant communities. The piece, titled 'Elevar La Cultura: a Tribute to Hustle, Heritage, and Survival', features a temple-like structure built from 200 gold-painted coolers—symbols of survival for many street vendors.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store