Guitarist Daisuke Suzuki has received the 2005 Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in the musical division of the 56th round of presentations of these prizes. He is the first classical guitarist to win this prize.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs administers 10 divisions of art encouragement prizes given annually to honor artists whose work in the year covered is outstanding and has opened new vistas in its field. There are two types of prize, the Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize and the Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists, awarded annually.
At the presentation of Mr. Suzuki's prize, he was commended for an 8-concert series given from June, 2004 at Hakuju Hall called "Guitar Elaboration," consisting of a compilation of solo works from ancient to modern times and chamber pieces. It was called "an achievement deserving special note in the annals of world guitar performances."
