How to turn conflict and tragedy into a poignant, shared experience? Such a move is only possible in the hands of a prodigious talent – indeed a genius – and such a talent is thrillingly manifest in the keyboard skills of Hayato Sumino. In every generation a genius is born, and we are fortunate to be able to witness the creative intensity of Sumino… But first, the let’s reconnect with tragedy before charting Sumino’s recent travels from Japan to the U.S. and then on to Canada.
To begin with history: Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in history. This activity occurred on August 6, 1945, when the U.S. Army Air Forces dropped the atomic bomb dubbed “Little Boy” on the city.
While this helped bring an end to six-years of global conflict it came with devastating consequences, with most of Hiroshima destroyed, and over one hundred thousand people were killed. While the significance still resonates globally, the effects remain acute throughout Japan and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial has UNESCO World Heritage status. Hence, the events continue to resonate in popular and high culture, from films to creative, intense musical performances.
Artistic reflection
This leads to the further reflection on the destructive impact of the bomb on Hiroshima, as found through various artistic endeavours – including the sonic soundscapes that only the most talented performers can create. One momentous event took place recently, on October 15, 2025, when Hayato Sumino, the acclaimed pianist from Japan, performed in Hiroshima alongside the Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich. During the performance, Argerich played a piano that survived the atomic bombing of the city.
This performance from Argerich was particularly appropriate, for this performance was conducted using a Baldwin piano that still bears the scratch marks from glass shards impacting upon it from the force of the explosion. One of the mottos of the Baldwin company is “high quality upright pianos that sound great and last forever”; this certainly appears to be the case. The sounds of the two talent pianists together was said to be evocative and emotive.
What was particularly effective, it was Sumino’s ability to seamlessly integrate classical techniques with modern creativity that made the evening special, This focus alone on technique and mood has made Sumino this century’s standout performer. Thus commitment and expressionism is more than apparent in his many other works.
Sumino seamlessly embodies the spirit of modern musicianship by honouring classical traditions while fearlessly exploring new creative avenues.
Back to the performance making the perils of nuclear weapons, the use of digital piano was developed to enable playback of each of the original Baldwin’s 88-keys, providing a means to capture the special sound of the piano in perpetuity, supplemented by Sumino’s corresponding accomplishment.
This historic, and nationally important, event – from both performers – was featured in The Japan Times.
Both in Japan, and at recent concerts in the U.S., Sumino’s effective and well-trained classical technique and his exceptional improvisational talent were very much on display for the appreciative audiences. To continue the creative journey, Sumino recently took his talents to North America. But first, just how special is Sumino?
The genius of Cateen
Sumino (also known as ‘Cateen’) has received many accolades and awards (most recently The Leonard Bernstein Award). More too, his musical evolution continues to impress distinguished conductors and pianists, as well as the concert going public and his 1.5 million YouTube followers (sparked by a tour de force performance at the 2021 International Chopin competition in Warsaw, which garnered 8.5 million views).
For a classical musician to receive so many followers and likes on social media is a testament to Hayato Sumino’s appeal as his dynamism draws people in and his improvisational skills delight.
As one reviewer comments, neatly encapsulating Sumino’s live performances: “This is not just great technique. There is personality, charm, independence, passion, creativity, logic, intellect, empathy and a wealth of wisdom from the relatively limited experience of his age. He pours every bit of himself onto those keys.”
Suh a performance often involves Sumino playing multiple pianos – often two such instruments at once!
READ MORE: Hayato Sumino: Bringing classical music closer to a younger generation
Sumino can effectively turn his talents to a range of genres, beyond classical, including jazz and film soundtracks. Reviews of his performances show how effortlessly he can switch from a creative interpretation of Maurice Ravel’s Jeux d’eau to his own delightful composition Big Cat Waltz, both pieces showcasing his impressively strong, magical and diverse portfolio.
Such an incredible musician is bound to be in global demand. Hence the recent allure of North America…
Carnegie Hall
Taking his talent abroad, Sumino has played at many acclaimed venues. Amongst this list is Carnegie Hall. It was here that Sumino performed a selection of his greatest works, including a nod to the superlative impact of international events upon the numerous islands of Japan, as indicated above.
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue at 881 Seventh Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. This descriptor downplays its cultural significance – it is New Yok’s premier music venue.
The optimal reason why the venue is held in such high regard is its ability to perfectly resonate sound. Christopher Jaffe—a leading acoustician, engineer, and architectural consultant—referred to Carnegie Hall as “the acoustic crown jewel of American concert halls.” And what better test of the descriptor than Sumino’s stunning command of the piano?
Hayato Sumino’s Carnegie Hall performances include a variety of classical repertoire and original compositions. Notable selections from his Carnegie Hall debut included Chopin, J.S. Bach, Gulda, and Kapustin, along with lush Chopin variations and a climactic arrangement of Ravel’s Boléro. Also included were the works of Gershwin. a composer always intimately linked with New York.
Sumino performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with admirable virtuoso flair and assurance, thrilling the New York concert goers at every turn.
Toronto bound
Artistic acclaim for Sumino’s work was encapsulated by the reviews regarding his Sony Classical LP Human Universe. The album displays his range across works by Bach, Handel, Purcell, Chopin, Fauré, and his own compositions, as he pours his personality over the paino keys. In particular, his recording of Pavane pour une infante défunte by Ravel is widely regarded as one of the finest ever recorded.
Hayato Sumino is a regular performer around the world, including marking his debuted in London, performing Gershwin’s electrifying Rhapsody in Blue, at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In 2026 the talented pianist will perform concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Berlin Philharmonie, Basel. After this he will perform his debit in Toronto, Canada, on May 2, 2026 at the Roy Thomson Hall.
Wherever you are in the world, if you have the opportunity to catch Hayato Sumino then grab this with both hands -it is truly wonderful – genius at work!
