I first stumbled upon Hayato Sumino’s YouTube channel while trying to find a song that I thought was in the anime, Your Lie in April. The piece I was thinking of was not the same, but my search ended quickly when I found Sumino’s rendition of Chopin’s Etudes Op.25 No.11. Boy, was I in for a treat. Sumino’s sharp notes and sentimental playing set him apart from any other pianists I watched of the same pieces. His playing was alive and it breathed in a way I couldn’t find anywhere else. A deep dive into his channel, named “Cateen,” revealed that his extraordinary playing landed him in the semi-finals of the 18th International Chopin Competition. His musicality expands across genres, from classical and movie tracks to video game theme songs and mixes with a melodica. While I usually play instrumental music in the background while doing homework, Sumino’s incredible editing abilities make his videos fun to watch and almost force you to pay attention (if you’re interested, I recommend checking out his video of Suzume). He also composes music, his most recent piece being “Recollection”. The song is delicate and deep, reflecting his playing style. I am so lucky to have learned of Hayato Sumino and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
