WFIMC Café: Manami Suzuki

An interview with the 2024 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition 1st prize winner

Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Manami Suzuki: I’m from Osaka and am currently studying in the master’s program at Tokyo College of Music. I´m the only one in the family who studies music- my parents don´t play music at all, and the only one of my three brothers took piano lessons has already quit. 

What did it mean to you to win at the Hamamatsu Competition?
Of course, I was really happy, but more than anything, I was surprised. I never imagined I’d win. Knowing I’d be placed alongside the amazing past winners gave me a strange mix of anxiety, surprise, and joy.

What was your mindset going into the competition?
Of course, I wanted to win! But except for a short performance at the Maria Canals in Barcelona, this was essentially my first international competition, and I didn’t expect things to go so well. 

Do you have any memories from the Maria Canals competition?
I became close with some of the Korean participants there. They were incredibly talented, with both technical skills and musicality. Meeting them was a great learning experience, and we still stay in touch. After Hamamatsu, they sent me congratulatory messages, which made me really happy.

Did you notice any differences between international and domestic competitions?
National ones mostly have Japanese participants, but international competitions attract incredible pianists from around the world, many of whom I already knew about. The jury members are also remarkable. But since the Hamamatsu competition was held in Japan, I felt more comfortable and didn’t experience the usual stress that comes with new places, foreign languages, etc.

Final Round of the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition with Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Toshiaki Umeda (Conductor) ©HIPC

What was the most challenging part of the Hamamatsu Competition?
For the finals, I performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, but I hadn’t fully memorized it by the third round. So, between the third round and the finals, I had to focus and practice quite a lot! 

For the audience, you didn’t seem nervous at all during your performance.
I was extremely nervous. But for the audience and judges, it doesn’t matter how nervous I am or how much preparation I’ve done. So, I just focused on what I could do at the moment and gave it all I could!

Noriko Ogawa (Chair woman), Manami Suzuki, Yusuke Nakano (Hamamatsu Mayor) ©HIPC

Do you have any routines or favourite food to prepare for performances?
I don’t have any fixed routines, but I make sure to sleep a lot and to eat when I’m hungry. Before the finals, I went to a restaurant and had a big steak!

Was there anything particularly memorable about the competition?
The third round was especially exhausting. It included chamber music and mentally challenging pieces like Bach, Szymanowski, and Schubert. I remember feeling completely drained after that round.

Did you make friends during the competition?
Since I was still attending classes at my school in Tokyo during the competition, I was constantly traveling between Tokyo and Hamamatsu, and  I only went to Hamamatsu when it was time for my performance. So I didn’t have many chances to talk to the others, but I did get to speak a little with Jonas, who came second, as well as with Kobayashi-san, the 3rd prize winner, and JJ. They were all not just great musicians but also incredibly warm and kind people.

© Hamamatsu International Piano Competition

It feels like this year is the piano year, with so many big competitions like Queen Elisabeth, Cliburn, ARD, and Busoni happening. There are many opportunities for pianists this year! Have you already thought about your next competition?
I’m hoping to challenge myself with some big competitions, but I have not decided anything just yet.

What are your future dreams? Do you want to live abroad or stay in Japan?
I’ve never lived abroad, so I’m not sure how that would feel. At this stage, I’m not really thinking about any place in particular. As long as I can continue playing the piano and improve every day, that’s what’s most important to me.

That said, I am rather interested in Germany. After completing my Master´s here in Japan, I might go to study there.

Has winning the Hamamatsu Competition already led to concert opportunities?
Yes, a tour has been arranged and I’ll be performing as a soloist with orchestra around 20 times. I’ve never had much experience with concertos, so I’m looking forward to gaining more through this tour. I also have international performances planned in London, as well as a number of recitals. In terms of repertoire, I’ll be playing Beethoven No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as Mozart’s D minor, Schumann, and Chopin’s Concerto No. 2.

But besides all these concerts, I will also have a performance together with Noriko Ogawa, who was chair woman at the Hamamatsu. I am really looking forward to play together with her!

© WFIMC / FR & HS