Solomon and Ramlee bring home gold from Italy

Just after Malaysia Day, Samuel Wong and Chang Song Jie gave the country another reason to celebrate – thousands of kilometres from home in the Italian town of Pisogne.

On Sept 19, the two luthiers – makers of stringed musical instruments – won gold at the 20th International Violin Making Competition organised by the National Association of Artistic Italian Lutherie (Anlai).

Wong won in the professional viola category, while Chang took the honour in the professional antique-style viola category.

“The first thing that came to mind when I learnt I had won was, it was definitely worth flying all the way to Europe!” Wong quipped.

The Sibu native had spent almost half a year crafting his winning viola, Solomon. “I had put so much into it, from selecting the wood to finishing the instrument. So when I found out that it had won the gold medal, it felt like all the hard work had finally paid off,” the 29-year-old told FMT Lifestyle.

Inspired by a design by the celebrated Italian luthiers the Amati brothers, Wong added his own touches to Solomon, including elongated corners and a warm reddish varnish.

Bringing it to life involved an intricate process, from carving the viola’s curved front and back to crafting the scroll, the decorative spiral at the top.

But the hardest part was something no tool could fix. “The biggest challenge was overcoming my own doubts,” he revealed.

“Throughout the process, there were many moments when I questioned myself and wondered whether my work was good enough, or whether I was really on the right track.”

His support system helped him find the confidence to keep going. Among them was his teacher, Tan Chin Seng, an award-winning luthier and founder of Deciso Fine Violins in Kuala Lumpur, who believed Wong had a good chance of winning.

“When I look at this achievement, I don’t see it as something I accomplished on my own,” Wong added. “It is also a reflection of the guidance, encouragement and trust I received from those around me.”

Wong, who has been a luthier for about five and a half years, first learnt to play the violin at seven. In high school, his interest grew beyond playing, prompting him to seek out videos and books about how the instrument was made.

He went on to pursue a music degree, majoring in violin performance. After graduation, the pandemic disrupted his plans but also gave him time to reflect on what he truly wanted to do.

His longstanding curiosity drew him back to violin making, which he eventually pursued as a career.

He has since made 11 violins and two violas, including Solomon. In 2023, his violin Martha earned him silver in the non-professional category at Anlai’s 17th International Violin Making Competition.

From Laksa to Ramlee

Chang, who also trained under Tan, earned her first gold at the competition in 2023, when she won in the non-professional category for her viola named Laksa.

This time, she again chose a familiar name close to home: Ramlee.

She spent about four months crafting the instrument. “I did not expect to get first place, though I’d hope to at least come in third,” she admitted.

For the 28-year-old Kuantan native, the win was also a way to honour the faith others had placed in her.

“All these years, I’ve had a lot of people supporting and believing in me. Representing Malaysia and winning this gold medal makes me feel that I’ve finally lived up to their faith in me,” she said.

Chang has crafted more than 10 instruments, mainly violins and violas, as well as one cello.

Together, Wong and Chang’s achievements show that Malaysian luthiers have a place on the international stage, with skills and craftsmanship on par with makers from around the world.

For Wong, that recognition is an opportunity to draw attention to the talent here at home.

“I want more people to know that there are makers in Malaysia who are capable of producing high-quality stringed instruments, and that we already have what it takes to meet, exchange ideas with, and compete alongside makers from around the world on the international stage,” he said.

Follow Samuel Wong on Instagram, and learn more about Chang Song Jie via her website, Facebook and Instagram.

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