Since founding Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ) in 1990, Masaaki Suzuki has established himself as one of the world’s leading authorities on the music of J.S. Bach. As Music Director, he has led the ensemble in performances across Europe, North America, and Asia In the West, he is mainly known for their award-winning complete cycle of Bach’s sacred cantatas, an achievement that has earned international acclaim for its expressive depth and stylistic integrity.

In the 2025/26 season, Suzuki continues his work with BCJ. He also makes guest appearances with the Hangzhou Philharmonic, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and St. Luke’s Orchestra. Recent highlights include his debut with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra in June 2025, as well as his first appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, Philadelphia Orchestra and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He also returned to the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao, and Orquestra Sinfònica do Estado de São Paulo.

His extensive discography on the BIS label includes all of Bach’s major choral works and complete harpsichord repertoire. Suzuki’s recordings of St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion with BCJ have received the Gramophone Award, and The Times praised his interpretations for their »crispness, sobriety and spiritual vigour.«

The famous Bach specialist, conductor, organist and harpsichordist Masaaki Suzuki studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam under Ton Koopman and Piet Kee. He is Founder and Professor Emeritus of the early music department at Tokyo University of the Arts and served on the choral conducting faculty at the Yale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music from 2009 to 2013, where he remains affiliated as Principal Guest Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum. He is a recipient of the Leipzig Bach Medal and the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.