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Classicals 2.0 - Virtuoso & Viral

Author: sounding images

Hayato Sumino, Anna Lapwood and Marcin are revolutionizing the classical music world with musical freedom, charisma, and digital communities.

  • Hayato Sumino, Marcin and Anna Lapwood | Copyright: © top left: Hayato Sumino | top right: Nick Fancher | bottom: Rii Schroer/eyevine/laif

    Hayato Sumino, Marcin and Anna Lapwood © top left: Hayato Sumino | top right: Nick Fancher | bottom: Rii Schroer/eyevine/laif

  • Anna Lapwood playing the organ, Nidaros Cathedral | Copyright: © Anna Lapwood

    Anna Lapwood playing the organ, Nidaros Cathedral © Anna Lapwood

  • Hayato Sumino and Marcin Patrzałek after recording their single

    Hayato Sumino and Marcin Patrzałek after recording their single "I wish" © vevo

A breath of fresh air is blowing through the classical music world: young, brilliant musicians are capturing millions of ears worldwide—they no longer only appeal to the traditional, predominantly older classical music audience in renowned concert halls and via excellent recordings. They are also winning over a more diverse audience, including those not in touch with classical music, via YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. They translate their musical excellence into the digital age, combine discipline with charisma, and make classical music attractive for everyone.

The documentary follows Japanese pianist Hayato Sumino, British organist Anna Lapwood, and Polish guitar virtuoso Marcin. They are representative of a new generation with the courage to carve out a niche and the will not to be constrained by the often entrenched classical music scene. They creatively use social media channels and switch between baroque, jazz, rock, and improvisation. Each of the three stands for their instrument, their very own aesthetic —together they represent the future of classical music.

The three musicians share excellent playing technique, strict discipline, and individual expressiveness. They
complement classical performance practice with improvisation, recompositions, and cross-style experiment —a revival of the freedom that was commonplace in Mozart's or Liszt's time. The focus is no longer on the perfect recording but rather on originality and authenticity—in direct exchange with the audience, fans, and the online community.

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