New Commissioned Concert by 2002-born Composer Yuri Umemoto: Facing His Roots in 'Choral Music'
Yuri Umemoto, a brilliant composer born in 2002, will hold a commissioned concert in July 2026 at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall. Centered on his roots in 'choral music,' the event will present a new musical experience merging contemporary music with electronic sounds and cello.
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Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall will hold a commissioned concert featuring Yuri Umemoto, a remarkable composer born in 2002 who receives commissions from music festivals across Japan and Europe.
In the 'Oto MAD: Digital Maximalism and Music' concert held at this hall in September 2025, Umemoto showcased diverse musical expressions in the digital age through a program introducing his new works and global young composers he follows. It became a significant topic of discussion.
The theme for this upcoming concert is 'Uta o Wasurete Naita' (Cried After Forgetting the Song), where Umemoto faces his roots: choral music. In addition to the premiere of his new work, he will curate and introduce pieces by cutting-edge young composers worldwide, such as Ben Nobuto, following last year's approach. Together with the voices of the NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus (where Umemoto was once a member), cellist Munefumi Hara, and electronics specialist Shintaro Imai (returning from the 2025 performance), they will deliver a night that updates the image of choral music.
Key Highlights of the Project:
1. Yuri Umemoto: A Composer with a Promising Global Future
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall has been working on promoting the charm of contemporary music and creating a place to discover young composers. Born in 2002, Umemoto has received high acclaim throughout Europe. He is attracting attention for his upcoming premiere of the new opera "crypt_" at the Munich Biennale in May 2026, where he serves as both composer and librettist.
In September 2025, the commissioned concert 'Oto MAD' featured two new premieres and works like his representative 'Super Bach Boy,' which blends elements of game music, sound effects, and Bach. The program also included curated works by overseas composers, showing a glimpse of the global contemporary music scene. It offered a stimulating musical experience merging analog/digital and classical/subculture elements.
2. The 2026 Concert Faces Umemoto's Roots in Choral Music
Umemoto has been familiar with hymns and choral music since childhood in church. This performance centers on 'choirs' and 'choral music,' his musical roots. The highlight is the new choral work 'Uta o Wasurete Naita.' Umemoto provided the following comment regarding this work:
"When I suddenly lost my high voice one day, I felt a deep sense of loss, as if everything would go wrong from then on, almost like a part of my body had been severed. To me then, it was like wings that allowed me to fly anywhere. After losing them, I felt intense sadness as the songs and things I knew gradually faded from my memory."
"The new choral work 'Uta o Wasurete Naita' was named after a period in my life after my voice changed and I began singing in a mixed chorus again, only to find my feelings for song fading and everything becoming difficult. I gave up practicing; singing with everyone became shameful and painful. I couldn't memorize the scores, got scolded by teachers and friends, and finally apologized while crying in front of everyone and quit the choir (they were not at fault at all)."
"In this concert, I will present the performance with a choir from the same organization I was in after my voice changed."
In addition to Umemoto's new work, the concert will feature works by global young composers such as Ben Nobuto and Julius Eastman, broadcasting the world's most cutting-edge music scene from Yokohama.
3. Collaboration of Talented Performers: Chorus x Cello x Electronics
The choral part, the core of this performance, will be handled by youth generations (Youth Singers, Youth Men's Choir) from the NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus, which Umemoto once belonged to. Shintaro Imai (electronics), who also appeared in the 2025 'Oto MAD' performance, and spirited cellist Munefumi Hara will also perform. Expect a new musical experience where solemn choral sounds, stimulating electronic tones, and the profound sound of the cello blend.
Performance Overview:
Name: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall Composer 2025-2027
Yuri Umemoto: 'Uta o Wasurete Naita'
Venue: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Small Hall
Date: July 17, 2026 (Friday) 19:00 (Doors open 18:30)
Performers: NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus Youth Singers...
In the 'Oto MAD: Digital Maximalism and Music' concert held at this hall in September 2025, Umemoto showcased diverse musical expressions in the digital age through a program introducing his new works and global young composers he follows. It became a significant topic of discussion.
The theme for this upcoming concert is 'Uta o Wasurete Naita' (Cried After Forgetting the Song), where Umemoto faces his roots: choral music. In addition to the premiere of his new work, he will curate and introduce pieces by cutting-edge young composers worldwide, such as Ben Nobuto, following last year's approach. Together with the voices of the NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus (where Umemoto was once a member), cellist Munefumi Hara, and electronics specialist Shintaro Imai (returning from the 2025 performance), they will deliver a night that updates the image of choral music.
Key Highlights of the Project:
1. Yuri Umemoto: A Composer with a Promising Global Future
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall has been working on promoting the charm of contemporary music and creating a place to discover young composers. Born in 2002, Umemoto has received high acclaim throughout Europe. He is attracting attention for his upcoming premiere of the new opera "crypt_" at the Munich Biennale in May 2026, where he serves as both composer and librettist.
In September 2025, the commissioned concert 'Oto MAD' featured two new premieres and works like his representative 'Super Bach Boy,' which blends elements of game music, sound effects, and Bach. The program also included curated works by overseas composers, showing a glimpse of the global contemporary music scene. It offered a stimulating musical experience merging analog/digital and classical/subculture elements.
2. The 2026 Concert Faces Umemoto's Roots in Choral Music
Umemoto has been familiar with hymns and choral music since childhood in church. This performance centers on 'choirs' and 'choral music,' his musical roots. The highlight is the new choral work 'Uta o Wasurete Naita.' Umemoto provided the following comment regarding this work:
"When I suddenly lost my high voice one day, I felt a deep sense of loss, as if everything would go wrong from then on, almost like a part of my body had been severed. To me then, it was like wings that allowed me to fly anywhere. After losing them, I felt intense sadness as the songs and things I knew gradually faded from my memory."
"The new choral work 'Uta o Wasurete Naita' was named after a period in my life after my voice changed and I began singing in a mixed chorus again, only to find my feelings for song fading and everything becoming difficult. I gave up practicing; singing with everyone became shameful and painful. I couldn't memorize the scores, got scolded by teachers and friends, and finally apologized while crying in front of everyone and quit the choir (they were not at fault at all)."
"In this concert, I will present the performance with a choir from the same organization I was in after my voice changed."
In addition to Umemoto's new work, the concert will feature works by global young composers such as Ben Nobuto and Julius Eastman, broadcasting the world's most cutting-edge music scene from Yokohama.
3. Collaboration of Talented Performers: Chorus x Cello x Electronics
The choral part, the core of this performance, will be handled by youth generations (Youth Singers, Youth Men's Choir) from the NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus, which Umemoto once belonged to. Shintaro Imai (electronics), who also appeared in the 2025 'Oto MAD' performance, and spirited cellist Munefumi Hara will also perform. Expect a new musical experience where solemn choral sounds, stimulating electronic tones, and the profound sound of the cello blend.
Performance Overview:
Name: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall Composer 2025-2027
Yuri Umemoto: 'Uta o Wasurete Naita'
Venue: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Small Hall
Date: July 17, 2026 (Friday) 19:00 (Doors open 18:30)
Performers: NHK Tokyo Children's Chorus Youth Singers...