Description:

César Franck was the founder of the revival of organ music, which had been in decline since the Revolution, along with master organist Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Yasumi Umehino deeply resonates with the spirituality of Franck's music, and approaches the artistic boundaries of his works with colorful and emotionally rich expressions. The historical instrument (St. Thomère, France) by Cavaillé-Coll, which made the original symphonic expression possible, is a must-hear for its soft elegance and supple strength. Ami Umehino (Hoyano Ami/Organ) graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music with a B.A. and M.A. in organ. She received the Ataka Prize, Acanthus Music Prize, and Doseikai Prize. Studied in France as an overseas trainee of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He completed his bachelor's and master's degree in organ at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, France, and also earned prizes in harmony and Renaissance counterpoint in the écriture (composition and calligraphy) department. He also studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in organ and composition. He studied organ with Emiko Sekimoto, Naoko Imai, Makiko Hayashima, Tsuguo Hirono, Michel Bouvard, Olivier Latry, and Bernard Faucheur.Upon winning the 2010 Pierre de Mansicourt International Organ Competition in France, she was appointed as the Freytag/Tricoteau Production Organ Cultural Ambassador for the city of Beteune and released the CD ≪ Revelations ≫ (Ctesibios,CTE-067). She won the first prize at the Luxembourg Dudelange International Organ Competition in 2015, and has been actively performing in various European countries and Japan, including recitals at Notre Dame and Chartres Cathedrals, and invitations to prominent international organ festivals in various European countries. His repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary music, and his colorful and emotionally rich musical expression of French organ music in particular has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad. After serving as the 3rd organist of Tokorozawa Muse Hall, he is currently an assistant professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, part-time organist at Meiji Gakuin, lecturer at Atelier Baroque, and cooperating organist at Reinanzaka Church of Christ Church of Japan. (He is a member of the board of directors of the Japan Organist Association and a member of the Japan Organ Society. ALM RECORDS/Kojima Recording