United by a shared passion for the piano, pianist Esme Wong returns to her hometown of Kuching with husband and fellow musician, Jacob Nydegger, captivating audiences at the St Peter’s Church opening. In an intimate conversation, the duo shares their musical journey, from childhood inspirations to the harmony they now create together on and off the stage.
Dynamic Duo delights at St Peter’s Church opening
SILENCE filled the congregation hall of St Peter’s Church, Kuching, recently as the dynamic duo, Esme Wong and Jacob Nydegger, mesmerised the audience with their musical repertoire.
For Esme, an international pianist born and raised in Sarawak, it was like a homecoming – a chance to give back to the community that shaped her.
That evening struck a powerful chord of meaning and return, as Esme and her German husband Jacob delivered a performance that resonated deeply.
In an interview with Sarawak Tribune, the couple shared that when immersed in music – connecting one note to the next – the experience becomes profoundly moving.
While they often perform solo, on the occasions they duet on the piano, audiences are in for a special treat. Behind every soulful performance lies a story – one of perseverance and passion, of how Esme and Jacob strive to deliver music that is both heartfelt and vibrant.
Growing up with a musical background
Both Esme and Jacob were inspired by their mothers – one in Sarawak, the other in Germany – who played the piano, sparking their individual interests. Esme’s mother, Sabrina Tnay, a professional musician, was her earliest influence.
Esme fondly recalls watching her mother lead choirs, direct musicals, and run a private piano school – giving her early exposure to the music industry. She began entering piano competitions as young as five years old.
At 16, Esme was selected for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra – a surreal and defining moment, especially given the competitive field and the high standard of musical training in West Malaysia at the time.
Jacob, meanwhile, began playing the piano at four.
“My mum has always loved music. She would play the piano for her own enjoyment. I still remember her practising a piece by Beethoven that I loved – it was emotional, moody, and had this special dark atmosphere,” he said.
That was the moment Jacob knew he wanted to learn to play it himself.
After his mother, his piano teacher, Blanca Rodriguez, became his next major influence, instilling in him a passion for music. She taught that music, while a discipline, was also a vessel of emotion, love and inner feeling.
“This was something I resonated deeply with, and it shaped who I am today. Without this understanding, it’s impossible to communicate effectively with the audience,” he said.
As a child, Jacob would practise for at least two hours a day – running his fingers through Beethoven’s works and other classical pieces. It was then that he aspired to become a concert pianist.
However, during his teenage years, he found himself pulled in many directions – dreaming of becoming a guitarist, footballer, swimmer, and percussionist. Eventually, piano practice began to feel like a chore.
Still, the diverse talents he developed led him back to his first love.
“One day, I decided to practise a piece by French composer, Ravel. That reconnected me with classical music, and I realised it was a part of me I had abandoned. That moment marked the beginning of my journey as a concert pianist,” said the 29-year-old.
An incredible performance at church
For Jacob, performing in Kuching, Sarawak, was an honour.
“The entire concert was an incredible musical experience that I’m grateful to have been part of. I truly believe the music touched the hearts of everyone in attendance that night,” he said.
Esme, meanwhile, wanted to give back to her hometown by sharing their dynamic performance and the beauty of classical music with her community. She acknowledged that classical music is sometimes perceived as boring or too sophisticated – but believes this is often due to a lack of exposure.
“Classical music is one of the most powerful and emotional forms of storytelling. It has influenced everything from film scores to video games to pop music. It’s not just background music – it’s a journey in sound. Some pieces feel like whispers, others like storms,” she explained.
Unlike pop music, classical pieces unfold slowly, revealing their emotional depths layer by layer.
“It invites you to slow down, imagine, and feel – or it can surprise you with sudden intensity, raw emotion, or excitement. Classical music captures everything from joy and tenderness to struggle and triumph, all without needing any words,” she enthused.
A beautiful duet
Those who have witnessed Esme and Jacob perform together will feel the chemistry between them in the notes they play. Unsurprisingly, their connection goes back to their university days, long before they married.
Surrounded by a circle of musician friends, Esme and Jacob were the only pianists in the group. From solo performances, they grew close while performing duets – and eventually fell in love.
Describing their musical connection, Esme shared that they come from different backgrounds and have contrasting personalities – which also means differing musical approaches.
“The one trait we share is our openness to communication and ideas. That allows us to bring the best of both our musical imaginations into our performances. Sometimes there’s a push and pull between us, and we need to find ways to honour both our perspectives. That’s how we create interpretations that are more imaginative than if either of us played solo,” she said.
A challenge that often arises during their duets is the physical proximity – occasionally bumping elbows during difficult passages.
Esme laughed while admitting that it’s hard not to knock into each other during intricate pieces. Still, after performing together for so long, they’ve developed a natural rhythm and flow in their collaboration.
“So, the real challenge is mostly finding the time to practise together,” she chuckled.
One of the songs that connects them deeply is Jay Chou’s Ju Hua Tai.
“Jacob later had the idea to arrange it for piano duo, so we could share our love for this piece. To this day, it’s the most frequently performed piece in our repertoire. Audiences love it – and it always brings back memories of when we first started dating,” she shared.
With four hands on one piano, the range of textures, rhythms and possibilities becomes almost limitless. To Esme, piano duets open up a world of orchestral colour that solo playing simply can’t replicate.
“Many of the pieces we performed at St Peter’s Church were originally orchestral works, adapted for four hands. One highlight was our own arrangement of Mambo from West Side Story, which fit perfectly with the energy and theme of our curated programme,” he said.
By creating their own arrangements, the duo brings fresh perspectives to familiar works – a priority they aim to balance alongside the classical repertoire.
“It feels incredibly personal, and we love how it helps us connect with our audience in a more intimate way. Even pop songs like Jay Chou’s Chrysanthemum Terrace have rich orchestral textures that translate beautifully into a piano duo,” she added.
