Masaaki Suzuki and Bach Collegium Japan
20-21 February 2011
Concert, HK City Hall

Masaaki Suzuki Harpsichord Recital
23 February 2011
Theatre, HK City Hall

Masaaki Suzuki’s first foreign tour to Israel had one sharp-tongued critic cynically ask, “What kind of relationship is possible between Bach and the Japanese?” The same critic later confessed that his “jaw fell to the floor” once he had actually listened to a CD by the Japanese master.

Suzuki founded the Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ) to introduce the Japanese public to period instrument performances, but it has since grown to become one of the world's leading interpreters of J S Bach and his contemporaries. In fact, Suzuki’s Baroque music ensemble, comprising orchestra and chorus, were recently hailed as the “Kings from the East” by the BBC Music Magazine.

Masaaki Suzuki’s recordings with the BCJ and as a harpsichord soloist have received critical acclaim. They include performances of J S Bach’s major choral works and cantatas – including St Matthew Passion, which will feature at the upcoming festival – as well as Bach's complete works for harpsichord. He combines his conducting career with work as an organist and harpsichordist and will play a harpsichord recital at the HKAF featuring pieces from Buxtetude, Byrd, Couperin and, of course, his beloved Johann Sebastian Bach.