INTRODUCTION
Hayato Sumino, also known as Cateen, is an international phenomenon. With 1.4 million subscribers on his YouTube Channel and 200 million views, he has become one of the most popular classical/jazz artists worldwide in just a few years. He burst onto the classical music scene with his Grand Prix win at the 2018 PTNA Piano Competition. However, it was his captivating and characterful performances as a semi-finalist at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw that truly established him as a rising star. His profound artistry and impeccable technique left both audiences and critics in awe.
Renowned for his vibrant stage presence and technical brilliance, Hayato has performed with some of the world›s top orchestras, including the Hamburg Symphony, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, Japan Philharmonic, The Boston Pops, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His performances have mesmerised audiences across North America, Europe and Asia, both in concert halls and through his dynamic online presence.
His first concert in the United Arab Emirates will mix classical music and jazz elements in the unique way he has mastered, and give the public another true music highlight for the Abu Dhabi Jazz Festival.
HAYATO SUMINO
In 2024, Hayato embarked on a highly anticipated tour of Japan, performing 24 soldout recitals. This extensive tour culminated in a grand celebration of his birthday on 14 July, at Budokan in Tokyo, where he performed for more than 13,000 fans. That summer, he also made his debut at several prestigious festivals, including the Rheingau Musik Festival in Germany, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland and the Ravinia Festival in the United States, where he debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The 2024 25 / season further solidifies Hayato›s status as one of the most indemand pianists of his generation. He kicks off the season with an 11-concert tour across Japan with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Marin Alsop. He is also set to make his debut at some of Europe’s most prestigious concert venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Munich Prinzregententheater, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Tonhalle Zürich and the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie. In addition, he will perform Olivier Messiaen›s Turangalîla-Symphonie with the New Japan Philharmonic under the legendary maestro Joe Hisaishi, and on tour with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jakub Hrusa.
A significant milestone in his career was his signing as an exclusive Sony Classical artist in March 2024, a partnership that promises to elevate his international profile even further. His debut album, Human Universe, was released in Autumn 2024, and features a diverse selection of works by composers such as Bach, Fauré, Purcell, Sakamoto and Sumino himself.
In addition to his musical achievements, Hayato holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Information Science and Technology and was honored with the university’s President›s Award in 2020 for his exceptional contributions to both music and academia.
Named in Forbes Japan›s ‘30 Under 30’ list in 2023, Hayato has been a Steinway Artist since 2021 and serves as an ambassador for both Apple Music Classical and CASIO electronic musical instruments. With his fresh and innovative approach to piano music, Hayato continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
An active online presence, Sumino shares his original compositions and arrangements on his YouTube channel ‘Cateen’, which boasts more than 1.3 million subscribers and 200 million views. His unique style blends classical technique with an arranger’s ear and improvisational skills, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to piano music, further cementing his influence in the modern music landscape.
PROGRAMME
Gershwin: I got Rhythm (Arr. Sumino)
Sumino: Human Universe
Debussy: Clair de Lune (Arr. Sumino)
Kapustin: Eight Concert Études Op. 40 Nr. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Chopin: Piano Concerto Nr.2 2nd Mvt (Arr. Sumino)
Traditional: Sakura (Arr. Sumino)
Sumino: Pre Rain
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre (Arr. Liszt/Sumino)
Ravel: Boléro (Arr. Sumino)
