A conductor, harpsichordist, and organist, Masaaki Suzuki stands as a towering figure in Baroque music, renowned for his comprehensive and top-tier recordings of Bach's works, including all of Bach's sacred and secular cantatas. Suzuki's unparalleled dedication extends beyond Bach, with significant contributions to the works of Mozart, Handel, and other 18th-century composers. He is the founder of the Bach Collegium Japan, an artist in residence at Yale, and conducts orchestras and choruses around the world. Tyler sat down with Suzuki to discuss the innovation and novelty in Bach's St. John's Passion, whether Suzuki's Calvinist background influences his musical interpretation, his initial encounter with Bach through Karl Richter, whether older recordings of Bach have held up, why he trained in the Netherlands, what he looks for in young musicians, how Japanese players appreciate Bach differently, whether Christianity could have ever succeeded in Japan, why Bach's larger vocal works were neglected for so long, how often Bach heard his masterworks performed, why Suzuki's favorite organ is in Groningen, what he thinks of Glenn Gould’s interpretations of Bach, what contemporary music he enjoys, what he'll do next, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Recorded October 18th, 2023. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Masaaki on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.
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hello, everyone, and welcome back to conversations with Tyler.
Today I'm here in New York City with Masaki Suzuki.
Masaki Suzuki is one of the greatest musical creators and producers of our time.
He has recorded the entire set of Bach sacred cantatas, which in my collection amounts to, I think, 55 compact discs.
He has recorded all of the secular cantatas.
These are generally acknowledged to be the most important and best recordings of Bach's cantata's music ever.
He is recording complete the organ music of Bach.
So he also is a world class organist and is recording the complete harpsichord music of Bach, works that are commonly acknowledged to be in the top tier.
So there's simply no one else I know of with this kind of record of production and quality and dedication and inspiration.
He also has recorded a good deal of Mozart, Handel, many other 18th century composers.
He founded the Bach Collegium Japan in 1990.
He teaches also as a professor at Yale University and does many other things as well.
Masaki Suzuki, welcome.
Thank you for your invitation.
It's a really great pleasure to come here.
I have many questions for you.
But to start with Bach St.
John's Passion, 1724, if you had to explain to us in its most fundamental sense, what was new in St.