Pianist Hayato Sumino receives the fifth Olivier Berggruen Prize 2026
Press release from Saanen:
On Monday, August 10, 2026, pianist Hayato Sumino was honored with the fifth Olivier Berggruen Prize during his recital at the Saanen Church. The concert was part of the 70th anniversary edition of the Menuhin Festival Gstaad and featured an impressive program: alongside works by Frédéric Chopin, Thomas Adès, Igor Stravinsky, and Camille SaintSaëns,
Sumino delighted the audience with a portfolio of his own compositions. The Japanese musician was presented with the prize by Olivier Berggruen – a longtime supporter and friend of the festival – and the festival’s Artistic Director Daniel Hope. Together, they presented the award to the exceptional pianist, recognizing his remarkable career as a young artist.
Hayato Sumino began his career as a musical prodigy and gained recognition as early as the age of 13 through his YouTube channel “Cateen.” In 2018, he won the Grand Prix at the PTNA Piano Competition, marking the beginning of his professional career. His debut album Passion and international concert appearances followed in 2019. At the 2021 Chopin Competition, he reached the semifinals and set a streaming record with 45,000 viewers watching live. In the years that followed, he established himself as a concert pianist on the international stage, performing with renowned orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, and releasing successful albums such as Human Universe (2024) and Chopin Orbit (2026). At the same time, his YouTube channel grew to more than 1.5 million subscribers, making him one of the rare figures to combine classical music and digital reach at the highest level. Hayato Sumino joins the ranks of previous recipients of the Olivier Berggruen Prize, following Pallavi Mahidhara (2022), Alexandra Dovgan (2023), Kate Liu (2024), and Yunchan Lim (2025). The Olivier Berggruen Prize represents a long-term commitment to supporting outstanding musical talent and has now been awarded for the fifth time. In addition to a concert as part of the festival program, the award includes a trophy specially designed by renowned contemporary artist Olympia Scarry. Born in Geneva, Scarry studied in Paris and New York and is now based in Milan. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in Milan, Brescia, Paris, and Gstaad.
The prize brings together Olivier Berggruen’s commitment to music with his passion for the visual arts, where he is regarded as one of the most influential connoisseurs of contemporary art. About the Menuhin Festival Gstaad Founded in 1957 by Yehudi Menuhin, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad is one of Europe’s leading classical music festivals. Every summer, it brings together internationally renowned artists, distinguished orchestras and outstanding young musicians in the churches and concert venues of the Saanenland and Pays-d’Enhaut regions. With more than 75 concerts each year, the Festival combines artistic excellence, talent development and cultural exchange in one of Europe’s most beautiful alpine settings. Through its Academies, Discovery programme and educational initiatives, it is committed to supporting the next generation of musicians and making classical music accessible to a broad audience. Since 2026, the Festival has been under the artistic direction of violinist Daniel Hope. The 70th is currently underway until 5 September 2026 under the theme Family Matters. Further information and tickets menuhin.ch Links: Electronic Press Kit Media Album – Artist Photos 2026 Media accreditation: Media enquiries: Larissa Thut Davidson Marketing & Communications Director ld@menuhin.ch +41 33 748 83 38 | Direct +41 33 748 83 34 Menuhin Festival Gstaad Dorfstrasse 60, PO Box 3792 Saanen, Switzerland menuhin.ch