Hayato's Piano Transformation

In the Asian music scene, he’s already a sensation, known as “Cateen” to millions of social media followers. Now, the Japanese-born Hayato Sumino is making waves on European stages! This is largely thanks to his stint at the Paris Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM), delving into the world of music information processing. Following a deep collaboration with French pianist Jean-Marc Luisada, Hayato Sumino reached the semi-finals of the 2021 Chopin Piano Competition – a year when the competition, due to the pandemic, unfolded mostly in the digital realm. With his performance at Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, Hayato Sumino steps onto the Swiss scene for the first time: this is the opportunity to witness his unique “Piano Transformation”, where he seamlessly blends classical pieces with his own compositions, arrangements, and improvisations. Even as a student, the pianist caught attention by reimagining video game music online ... so it’s bound to be intriguing to see the kaleidoscope of styles Hayato Sumino brings to his recital!