A memorable evening at Kuching’s historic Old Court House Auditorium brought together accomplished musicians from Hong Kong and Sarawak in a concert that celebrated cultural exchange, artistic excellence and enduring friendship. Blending classical mastery with traditional Sarawakian music, Routes of Resonance demonstrated how music continues to transcend borders and connect communities.
An Evening Where Music Bridged Borders
A collaboration between musicians from Hong Kong and Sarawak’s multiinstrument ensemble, Prodigy, struck far more than just the right notes last Saturday.
Held in the historic Old Court House Auditorium in Kuching, the concert was elevated by a venue whose rich heritage added another dimension to the evening.
Once part of the Old Court House complex, the building dates back to its completion in 1874 before being thoughtfully restored and repurposed as an auditorium in the 21st century.
As I took my seat, memories came flooding back.
Twenty-one years ago, I spent an entire week in this very hall attending performing arts competitions during the International Delphic Games held in Kuching.
Returning to the same venue, I was struck by how gracefully the building has withstood the passage of time.
Although modest by modern standards, its stately proportions and timeless architecture continue to create an atmosphere unlike that of any contemporary performance hall.
More than simply a concert venue, the Old Court House Auditorium is a living piece of Sarawak’s history, where music, culture and heritage continue to resonate across generations.
The evening was sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, organised by Radiance Global Culture and presented under the banner Routes of Resonance.
Supporting partners included Prodigy Music Centre, Persatuan Delphic Seni dan Kebudayaan Malaysia (Delphic Malaysia), PLUSHED, The Band Lab and Century Music.
Speaking with Sanders Poon, we learned that Radiance Global Culture is a Hong Kongfounded, Kuching-based cultural initiative dedicated to fostering connections through the arts, education, wellness and travel across Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Beginning in 2026, the organisation will launch a series of boutique cultural and wellness programmes in Kuching, including intimate flute concerts and cultural dialogues.
Representing Hong Kong were two distinguished musicians: acclaimed flautist Ivy Chuang and pianist Norman Lee. Chuang, an internationally recognised flautist and piccoloist, performs regularly with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
A graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Royal Northern College of Music in the United Kingdom, she has appeared in prestigious concert halls around the world while also serving as an educator at several universities in Hong Kong.
Lee is a pianist, educator and Steinway Artist, widely respected for both his collaborative performances and distinguished teaching career.
A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the University of Western Ontario, he later pursued advanced studies in London and Salzburg.
As a Steinway Artist, he belongs to an exclusive international roster of concert pianists recognised by Steinway & Sons — an honour regarded as one of the highest distinctions in the piano world.
The pair first captivated the audience with individual performances before joining forces in a beautifully balanced duet.
Their artistry, technical brilliance and musical sensitivity held the audience in complete silence, allowing every phrase and nuance to be fully appreciated. After a 15-minute intermission, it was Sarawak’s turn to shine.
Sharnaz Saberi, founder and CEO of Prodigy Music Centre and the Prodigy Orchestra, took to the stage with her ensemble.
A Sarawakborn musician, composer, educator and entrepreneur, she has dedicated her career to nurturing young musical talent and advancing music education in the state.
She composed the 59th Sarawak Day theme song, Dirgahayu Sarawak, and was named Sarawak Youth Icon 2022 in recognition of her contributions to the creative arts.
In 2024, she was appointed Director of Music by Persatuan Delphic Seni dan Kebudayaan Malaysia (Delphic Malaysia), a role that will see her oversee the Music Discipline at the International Delphic Games, which will be hosted in Kuching in 2027.
Dazzling in a traditional keringkam ensemble from D Keringkam by Danny Zulkifli, valued at an estimated RM100,000, Saberi delivered a remarkable performance accompanied by fellow musicians Adi (gendang), Faz (sape), Jelly (accordion) and Halim (violin).
Together, they created a distinctive musical tapestry that reflected Sarawak’s rich multicultural heritage while blending traditional melodies with contemporary expression.
One of the evening’s highlights was Simfoni Tuanku, a composition by Sharnaz that was written in 2021 and performed by the Prodigy Orchestra for Malaysia’s former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at Istana Negara in 2022.
For this concert, she rearranged the piece in a traditional style, creating a musical bridge between the Hong Kong musicians and Sarawak’s performers.
They concluded with ‘Leleng’, ‘Bermukun’ and ‘Puteri Santubong’ as their encore, demonstrating how music can connect cultures while celebrating diverse heritage.
It was a fitting conclusion to an evening that celebrated friendship through music, bridging cultures across borders while showcasing the universal language of artistic expression.
The elegant performances soothed the soul and uplifted the heart.
