KUCHING – The Sarawak music scene reached a meaningful milestone last night as the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, together with IMH Music House, presented a grand “Night of Classics” — a prelude to the highly anticipated SIFMA 6.0 Festival this year. The event, held on the 3rd December Wednesday at 7.00pm, gathered acclaimed musicians from Belgium, the Philippines, and Malaysia for an evening that blended tradition, artistry, and deep musical heritage.
The programme opened with “Preludio Sinfonico” and “Coro de Sembradores”, performed by guitarist Dr. Gonzalo Noel Misa and pianist April Merced-Misa, setting a dignified tone for the evening. The momentum continued with a powerful showcase by the Guitar Quartet featuring Kenny Then, John Wu, Reginald Bernaldez, and Dr. Misa. Their performance demonstrated technical clarity and strong ensemble unity, earning warm applause from the audience.
Renowned Belgian pianist Dr. Gilbert de Greeve, a respected educator and former Director of the Royal Academy of Music in Antwerp, delivered two solo works — “El Gato Montés” and “Libertango” — with commanding control and emotional depth. His playing reflected the refined European tradition he represents, while still connecting naturally with the local crowd.
A standout moment came from a piano duet by Kristene Alcances and April Merced-Misa, who performed Jos De Greeve’s Legende with balance and sensitivity. Their later presentation of Ryan Cayabyab’s Nais Ko, arranged for two pianos, added cultural warmth to the evening and highlighted the shared musical ties between Malaysia and the Philippines.
The final segment united the Guitar Quartet and the Piano Duet Ensemble for a Malaysian Folk Song Medley arranged by Reginald Bernaldez, offering a heartfelt tribute to local musical identity. This closing performance brought the audience together, reminding everyone of the value of preserving cultural roots while embracing global artistry.
Throughout the event, each performer’s profile showed years of dedication. From Dr. de Greeve’s international leadership in music education, to Dr. Misa’s award-winning guitar career, to the strong homegrown talents of Kenny Then, Kristene Alcances, and John Wu — the evening proved that Sarawak continues to nurture musicians whose craft is respected far beyond home soil.
In a note of appreciation, the organisers expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its ongoing support of the arts, and to the audience whose enthusiasm fuels the growth of the festival year after year. Guests were encouraged to return for SIFMA 6.0, scheduled for 6 and 7 December 2025, promising an even grander celebration of music and culture.
Events like this remain a reminder of how far Sarawak’s performing arts community has come, and how strongly it is moving forward. With dedication from educators, performers, and supporters, the tradition of classical music here continues to deepen and evolve.
