In a finale that had been anticipated for months, Maestro Ken Hsieh and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra culminated the season with special guest Hayato ‘Cateen’ Sumino, a New York-based Japanese pianist and composer known for his performances of music by Frédéric Chopin.
Founder of the VMO, Hsieh, shares, “I choose Hayato Sumino to close the 2024 season because he had been on my wish list! Several of my colleagues had recommended him to me, including my mentor Yutaka Sado, who said he had a fantastic time performing Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ with Cateen. He makes music so accessible to everyone and is truly a gifted and super talented pianist, versatile in any genre, and understands how to attract anyone of any age into loving music.”
During his visit to Vancouver, Cateen resided at the Listel Hotel. He enjoyed trying new and unique ramen dishes at multiple restaurants, delectable sushi at Octopus Garden, a leisurely lunch at Glowbal, and sightseeing along the world-famous Stanley Park Seawall.
THE CHOSEN ONE
Hayato Sumino’s musical odyssey began with a resounding triumph, as he emerged as the Grand Prix winner of the PTNA Piano Competition in 2018, while still a dedicated student at The University of Tokyo.
In 2021, Sumino’s talent shone on the global stage as a semi-finalist in the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. His international success continued with a third prize at the 2019 Lyon International Piano Competition, a gold medal at the 2017 International Chopin Competition in Asia, and numerous other accolades.
This global recognition of his talent, along with the significant role played by his mentors, Jean-Marc Luisada and Katsuko Kaneko, in his journey, makes him an ideal collaborator for any musical project.
EDUCATION & ENTERTAINING
Sumino completed his Master of Engineering at The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Information Science and Technology in March 2020. His outstanding achievements in both music and academics were recognized with The University of Tokyo President’s Award.
Alongside his academic endeavours, he actively researched Music Information Processing at the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM) for six months, beginning in September 2018. This combination of musical and academic excellence makes him a unique and appealing figure for music enthusiasts, concert organizers, and potential collaborators.
Sumino’s musical style is a captivating fusion of classical techniques, innovative arrangements, and masterful improvisational skills. This unique blend of music, which he shares through performances at renowned venues worldwide.
MORE THAN A PLAYER
Sumino’s musical prowess extends far beyond the concert hall. He channels his creativity through writing, arranging, and sharing his music on YouTube under the moniker ‘Cateen.’
His channel boasts a staggering 1.34 million subscribers, and each of his 225 videos has been streamed millions of times. His versatility is further underscored by his role as the official navigator for BBC Proms JAPAN and his inclusion in the esteemed Forbes Japan ’30 Under 30′ list.
Furthermore, he has expanded his musical capabilities by performing contemporary pieces, including the Japan premiere of ‘Concerto for Piano and Orchestra’ by Thomas Adés in 2022 and the Japan premiere of ‘Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra, Op. 105’ by Nikolai Kapustin in 2023.
AMERICA BOUND
In a bold move that marked a new chapter in his career, Sumino set his sights on New York in 2023. This season heralded his American debut, where he shared his musical prowess with the Boston Pops Orchestra under the baton of Keith Lockhart.
Sumino also recorded Chopin’s Piano ‘Concerto No. 1’ with Marin Alsop and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, a recording that was unveiled in 2022.
His debut album, ‘HAYATOSM’ (eplus music), was also released in 2020, signifying a significant milestone in his musical journey.
Since 2021, he has been a Steinway Artist and CASIO electronic musical instrument ambassador. As he continues establishing a solid presence as a classical pianist, he also draws audiences as a unique musician known for his thoughtful exploration of music that transcends genre boundaries.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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