Hayato Sumino
Biography
Sony Classical announces the signing of an exclusive recording contract with young New York-based Japanese pianist, Hayato Sumino, who will join the label’s distinct roster of internationally celebrated pianists. His debut album for Sony Classical is scheduled for release in Autumn 2024 and will showcase his wide and varied musical tastes, featuring works by Bach, Fauré, Purcell, Sakamoto and Sumino himself, among others.
Born and raised in Japan, Sumino first gained international recognition in the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, where his unique and characterful performances captured the hearts of the audience and where he progressed to the semi-finals. Recognised for his distinctive style which carefully blends a well-honed classical technique with the fine ear of an arranger and strong improvisational skills, he brings a unique and refreshing musical approach to the piano.
Sumino has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras around the world, including the Hamburg Symphony, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, with whom he made a recording under Marin Alsop. He shares his music with enthusiastic audiences both online and in his many live performances throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He won a coveted spot on the Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 list, became a Steinway Artist in 2021 and is an ambassador for CASIO electronic musical instruments.
Current album
Human Universe
Artists Hayato SuminoRelease Date: 11/01/2024
Sony Classical announces the upcoming release of ‘Human Universe’ by extraordinary young New York-based Japanese pianist and composer, Hayato Sumino (aka ‘Cateen’), scheduled for release on November 1, 2024. The 1st single release of the album “Pavane pour une infante défunte” by Ravel is out now.
Sumino is an exceptional artistic phenomenon: Known as ‘Cateen’, he has garnered over 1.5 million followers globally across his platforms and nearly 200 million views on YouTube to date. His participation at the 2021 International Chopin competition, where he reached the semifinals, caused a sensation and gained over 8.5M views on YouTube. In April 2024, he made a spectacular Royal Albert Hall debut with his performance of Gershwin's ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ capturing the spotlight both online and in the concert hall.
‘Human Universe’ showcases Sumino’s multi-faceted gifts in a diverse selection of works that run the gamut from Bach, Handel, Purcell, Chopin, Fauré and Debussy to iconic film composers like Hans Zimmer and Ryuichi Sakamoto as well as Sumino’s own compositions and arrangements. The recording highlights his distinctive style, seamlessly merging his refined classical technique with the discerning ear of an arranger and exceptional improvisational talent.
A prodigious composer, Hayato Sumino possesses a unique and captivating style that effortlessly combines his diverse musical interests, ranging from classical and jazz to film music, post-classical, and electronica. He is also much in-demand for film and TV scores in Japan and is rapidly gaining a place as one of the leading members of the next generation of musicians for whom genre borders are simply no obstacle.
Photo credit: Clemens Ascher
