After having been the Honorary President of the European Suzuki Association (ESA) for many years, Eleonore Fürstin zu Salm-Salm died unexpectedly at the age of 91 on February 16 2011. We met her for the first time in August 1987 in Berlin during the 8th International Suzuki Conference. There she made acquaintance with Dr. Suzuki and his German wife Waltraud and experienced thousands of Suzuki students with their teachers and parents from all over the world.
By making music only and without words, they showed her how Dr. Suzuki’s wish to bring up children through musical education is put into action:
It was not his primary intention to train professional musicians but to contribute to the forming of the entire personality through music. In a playful manner memory, concentration, reaction, socializing with others and learning to appreciate the beauty of the arts are trained. Learning and practicing all aspects are a lifetime task.
With great conviction, perseverance and activity, Fürstin Eleonore supported our work for decades. She visited concerts, Suzuki conferences and was even seen at our instrumental courses.
In 1989 she became Chairwoman of the European Suzuki Association and in the year 2006 our Honorary President. Beside generous donations she was a wonderful host at her own beautiful residence in Sachsenwald (close to Hamburg) which she offered us many times for our conferences.
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During her round birthdays the ESA was represented by its German representative Kerstin Wartberg who with speeches and musical performances with Suzuki children ensured a good atmosphere.
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On her 90th birthday on November 2009 in the presence of the royalty of the area, it was her explicit wish that the Suzuki group Junge Camerata Akademica under the leadership of our German teacher trainer Isabel Morey Suau should perform for the guests.
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Until the very end Fürstin Eleonore remained in full presence of mind and actively took part in life. Her parting leaves a large gap amongst her friends and patrons. We will always cherish her with great thankfulness.