Ong is the first M’sian to reach the finals of this prestigious competition
PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian has made it into the final round of a prestigious piano competition which was established way back in 1927.
Vincent Ong, 24, is the first Malaysian to have accomplished the feat at the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition held once every five years in Warsaw, Poland – the birthplace of the virtuoso pianist.
“Of course, it matters that I am the first Malaysian (to reach the finals of the competition).
“But it does not matter in the sense that all people, irrespective of their origin, love music,” Ong said, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
He is one of 11 pianists selected for the final round. Prior to this, Ong surpassed hundreds of competitors from 54 countries before he made it to the finals.
Known as one of the oldest music events of its kind in the world, the competition is organised by Poland’s Fryderyk Chopin Institute.
It is being held from Oct 2 to Oct 23, and the final results were announced early this morning (after press time).
Ong’s performance for the final round can be viewed on Chopin Institute’s YouTube channel.
The video has drawn praises from near and far.
“Beautifully nuanced performance, fresh and thoughtful,” someone wrote.
Another person posted: “Your music moves people to tears.”
“Such beauty, power & elegance. Vincent Ong, Malaysia’s Pride. Malaysia Boleh,” commented vvantaeology.
The Penang Global Tourism bureau said in a Facebook post that Ong was a choir accompanist at Heng Ee High School in Penang before spending years training rigorously in Germany.
