Malaysian Luthiers Won Gold at Italian Violin Contest
Samuel Wong and Chang Song Jie secured top honors for their handcrafted violas at a competition in Pisogne, Italy.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in World
Malaysian luthiers Samuel Wong and Chang Song Jie won gold medals at the 20th International Violin Making Competition held in Pisogne, Italy, on Sept 19, 2026. Wong and Chang earned the top professional awards for their handcrafted instruments.
Why it matters
The recognition at this prestigious event highlights the high level of craftsmanship emerging from Malaysia in the field of professional lutherie. Success at this international level serves as a significant milestone for artisans competing on a global stage.
Wong, who has crafted 11 violins and two violas, won gold in the professional viola category, while Chang, who has made 10 instruments, won gold in the professional antique-style viola category. Both luthiers previously secured medals at the 17th competition in 2023.
The players
Samuel Wong
A 29-year-old luthier from Sibu, Malaysia, who has built 11 violins and two violas.
Chang Song Jie
A 28-year-old luthier from Kuantan, Malaysia, who has crafted 10 instruments throughout her career.
National Association of Artistic Italian Lutherie
The organization responsible for hosting the 20th International Violin Making Competition.
The details
Samuel Wong spent nearly six months crafting his winning viola, which he named Solomon, while Chang Song Jie dedicated approximately four months to building her prize-winning instrument, Ramlee. The competition was organized by the National Association of Artistic Italian Lutherie.
Timeline
Wong and Chang achieved their previous competition success in 2023.
The 20th International Violin Making Competition took place on Sept 19, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This win demonstrates the growing global competitiveness of luthiers from Southeast Asia in traditional European craftsmanship arenas. It follows a clear trend of professional development as both artists upgraded their medal standing from their 2023 performances.
The recognition of these instruments provides professional validation that can influence the value and demand for works from these specific luthiers. Collectors and musicians may see increased interest in Malaysian-made professional string instruments as a result of these awards.
The takeaway
Dedicated artisanal training and consistent competition participation are core drivers of professional excellence in instrument making. Aspiring luthiers should note the extensive time investments required to build instruments capable of winning top-tier international awards.
Further reading
Learn more about global musical craftsmanship on the World page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Free Malaysia Today.
