Biography

Hikaru Suzuki, born in 1965, showed great talent in playing the piano at an early age. However, according to her, she hated nothing more than playing the piano as a child. Later, while studying piano at the university, she was greatly admired for her individual way in which she played. At the university she finally began to really appreciate the piano. 1988 was an turning point in Suzuki’s life when she decided to go to Europe to study. After taking part in master classes, she continued with her studies and received her concert artist’s diploma. 

After about ten years of teaching, during which time she made records and performed at concerts, a disease of the nervous system (MMN) which affects her hands, was diagnosed in 2005. This was a huge shock and forced her to give up her career as a concert-pianist. At the time, she felt she had lost her mission in life. The depression which followed was deeply distressing for her. Her doctor suggested that she visit an exhibition of the works of Frida Kahlo and also that she should herself take up painting in order to express her feelings. The paintings of Kahlo moved her deeply and led to the sudden commencement of her own work as a composer. 

In 2008, her first piece, “Frog and Moon”, a trio for flute, violoncello and piano, was released. It was the sudden beginning of a new passion which would influence Suzuki’s life more than the piano ever had. Almost without interruptions, she composed piece after piece - until the end of 2011, when one of her students committed suicide. This event caused a two year long period, when she was unable to  compose at all. Although innocent of his death, it bears heavily on her.

Then, in 2014, she began composing again with a work dedicated for her late student. With the help of this work, she begun to assimilate his suicide. Until the end of 2019, she accomplished more than 40 works (with more than 230 seperate movements). Her compositions contain works for piano, violoncello sonatas, trios and orchestral works. 

In 2018, the death of her beloved dog Banon put the brakes on her creativity.

However, Suzuki had doubts about her ability as a composer, as she had never studied for a diploma in composition, her music impresses continously an enthusiastic and deeply moved concert goers.

Everybody who listens to Suzuki’s music is impressed. What listeners appreciate are the incredibly beautiful melodies which touch the heart.Timeless and individual, the deeply moving works enchant and impress.