Aung San Suu Kyi - her upright piano, anger management and Leeds International Piano Competition

 Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister   Source:  number10.gov.uk

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, will this year attend the Leeds International Piano Competition in Leeds, UK, as its honorary ambassador. 2012 is the Competition's 50th anniversary. Over the years, the competition helped launch the careers of Radu Lupu, Andras Schiff and Marray Perahia, Mitsuko Uchida, and many more. Aung San Suu Kyi's favourite composers are Telemann, Mozart and Clementi.

Aung San Suu Kyi is a keen amateur pianist, and it was her only means of self expression during the years of house arrest.  Her Yamaha upright piano is often seen as a symbol for the struggle for democracy in Burma. According to the Independent UK passerbys  would slip by roadblocks, just to be reassured,  she was still alive  by the sound of  piano music coming from her house.  Her house arrest inspired
Damien Rice, Irish singer-songwriter to write the song 'Unplayed Piano,' to campaign for her release, for her 60th birthday, which he performed at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo.



Her piano had to be repaired many times, as her frustration and anger was taken out on the piano as she told journalist John Pilger I told you, I have a hot temper, and many a string would break. Nyan Win, who has heard Suu Kyi play, said it helps her relax.


Further Reading

• Aung San Suu Kyi becomes Honorary Ambassador for the Leeds International Piano Competition, (23.6.12) Number 10.gov.uk
• Rangoon's piano-tuners recall the vital part they played in Suu Kyi's struggle (30.03.2012), Independent, UK
• Aung San Suu Kyi signs up to Leeds International Piano , Guardian UK
• My Last Conversation with Aung San Suu Kyi, 2007, Johnpilger.com 
• Music in the movie The Lady who is Aung San Suu Kyi, Blog