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Hayato Sumino
Nov 16, 2025 — 3:00 PM
Overview
More than a pianist, Hayato Sumino is a phenomenon. The Japanese musician has earned tens of millions of views on YouTube for his captivating interpretations of classical masterworks and original compositions. A semi-finalist at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition, he has reignited interest in the iconic composer. In his highly anticipated Symphony Center debut, Sumino performs works by Chopin, Bach and Ravel, alongside his own evocative pieces, including New Birth and Recollection.
Program
Bach
Prelude and Fugue in C Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
Bach
Partita No. 2 in C Minor
Chopin
Nocturne in C Minor, Op. 48, No. 1
Chopin
Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor
Gulda
Prelude and Fugue
Sumino
New Birth (after Chopin)
Sumino
Recollection (after Chopin)
Kapustin
Selections from Eight Concert Etudes, Op. 40
Sumino
Nocturne No. 1 (Pre Rain)
Sumino
Nocturne No. 2 (After Dawn)
Sumino
Nocturne No. 3 (Once in a Blue Moon)
Ravel (arr. Sumino)
Boléro
Chopin
Etude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 1 [Encore]
Gershwin (arr. Sumino)
Swanee [Encore]
French Folk Song (arr. Sumino)
Seven Variations on Ah! vous dirai-je, maman [Encore]
Performers
Listen
Discover more on Experience CSO
Hayato Sumino regards Chopin as his muse: "I want to be a good interpreter of Chopin, but not just that, I want to be like Chopin as an artist. I really love, not just his music itself, but also his aesthetics.”
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Iconic piano soloists are featured, including Van Cliburn, Cecile Licad, Ivo Pogorelich, and Peter Serkin in works by Bartók, Chopin, MacDowell, and Rachmaninov.
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Chicago-area audiences can see Sumino in action live with the CSO at Ravinia. “I am very excited to collaborate with such a prestigious orchestra,” he said, “and to reunite with Marin [Alsop]!”
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