Celebrating 20 Years of Privia with a Grand Finale in Tokyo
The “Privia 20th Anniversary Showcase in JAPAN” was held on December 4, 2024 at the Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, close to Tokyo Station. Tokyo was chosen as the final destination to celebrate this historic milestone for Privia, following on from events in the United States, China, and Germany that have been held since September.
Privia global ambassador and pianist Hayato Sumino (Cateen), pianist Ryota Kikuchi, and vocalist/guitarist Shintaro Namioka gave special performances at the event which created a memorable experience for the audience.
Three Privia PX-S7000 pianos surrounded by sofas and greenery were featured on the stage at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, in order to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. The sofas were provided by French furniture brand Ligne Roset, the comfortable and stylish designs worked in harmony with the elegant PX-S7000 to captivate the audience.
Takao Matsuda, the Senior General Manager of Casio’s Musical Instruments Division said, “At Casio we aim to innovate and provide new experiences that haven’t been seen before. Together with all of you, we strive to transform the way that the piano integrates into people’s daily life and help to foster a rich lifestyle filled with music.” This statement reflected the feeling of excitement and new possibilities that Privia offers.
Design prototypes that were created in the lead up to the PX-S7000’s launch were also on display. Yosuke Nagayama, the Senior General Manager of the Design Development team, shared his vision on Privia which gave a glimpse into the design philosophy behind it. “We wanted to present a new way for the player to connect with the piano.”
Pianist Hayato Sumino, who has been using Privia for five years was the first performer. “I’m delighted to be here to celebrate Privia’s 20th birthday,” he said, as his performance captivated the audience with the PX-S7000’s rich sound and versatility.
Hayato also performed at the New York and Hamburg showcases. He reflected on this by saying “The concept of a ‘lifestyle piano’ deeply resonates with me. Through attending these events, I’ve been able to feel just how much people around the world love Privia.” He continued by highlighting the appeal of Privia, “The sound of the piano is outstanding and the wide variety of built-in tones provides an immensely satisfying playing experience. I also really like its design.”
Hayato relaxed on a Ligne Roset sofa after his performance had finished and remarked, “It’s incredibly comfortable.” This particular model, the “Roset Kashima,” is made with a luxurious fabric that perfectly complemented the stylish and serene presentation seen on stage. Hayato described it as “a sofa with a modern design that blends harmoniously with modern living spaces, while retaining the essence of Japanese style.” He also noted how the collaboration between Privia and Ligne Roset showcased new possibilities for innovations in lifestyle.
Next up to perform on the stage was Hayato’s close friend, pianist Ryota Kikuchi. A regular user of Privia, Ryota said “As a fan of electronic instruments, I find the extensive range of tones available with Privia incredibly appealing.” On stage, he demonstrated the Privia’s guitar and drum tones, making full use of the PX-S7000’s split function to highlight its multi-faceted capabilities.
The final performer for the evening was Shintaro Namioka, a member of the six-person twin-lead vocal band Penthouse that Hayato is also a part of. Shintaro shared his thoughts on his first encounter with Privia, saying, “There was a Privia set up in the dressing room during a concert at Billboard Live Tokyo. It was love at first sight, so I’ve been using it ever since.” His heartfelt vocal performance along with Hayato’s piano, created a special atmosphere at the venue, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance.
Yoshinori Kawai, the Senior General Manager of Casio’s Domestic Sales Division, concluded the event by expressing his gratitude: “Tonight’s performances truly reflected the love for Privia. We will not waver in our passion and dedication for creating and evolving new styles.”
As a celebration of 20 years of Privia, this final event held in Tokyo showcased its global journey and potential as a lifestyle piano. It was a day filled with inspiration, honoring the history of Privia while looking forward to it’s exciting future.
