Interview with Seong-Jin Cho

"I try not to listen to other people's recordings."

Seong-Jin Cho has established himself worldwide as one of the leading pianists of his generation and one of the most distinctive artists on the contemporary music scene. With his innate musicality and consummate artistry, his thoughtful and poetic, virtuosic and colorful piano playing combines vibrancy with refinement and is underpinned by an impressive, natural balance. He is unanimously celebrated worldwide for his expressive magic and insightful interpretations. The global public first took notice of Seong-Jin Cho in 2015 when he won first prize at the International Chopin Competition, and since then his career has experienced a meteoric rise. In January 2016, he signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon. In 2023, Cho was awarded the prestigious Samsung Ho-Am Prize in the Arts in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the world of classical music. As a sought-after artist, Seong-Jin Cho collaborates with the world's most prestigious orchestras, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

You are Artist in Residence with the Berlin Philharmonic this season. How is the collaboration going?
Last October, I gave my first concert with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the winter, I also performed chamber music with musicians from the Berlin Philharmonic and the Karajan Academy. In addition, I will be playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with Jakub Hrůša in March and giving a recital with a Ravel program in April. I'm looking forward to these projects because I have many friends in the orchestra. When I perform with them, I always feel like I'm playing with my friends.

You've been living in Berlin since 2017. What do you appreciate about your new home?
The city is very international, but at the same time very peaceful. When I'm in Berlin, I don't feel like a foreigner, but very relaxed.

What do you miss about your home country, South Korea?
I miss my friends and the delicious Korean food!

You also learned violin for six years as a child. Why did you ultimately choose the piano?
I think I felt more comfortable playing the piano. Besides, I thought I was a better pianist.

How do you learn a new piece?
I need at least two months to learn a new piece. I simply play it through and study the score carefully, trying not to listen to other people's recordings. There's no special method for learning new music.

How would you describe your own sound as a pianist, and are there aspects you'd like to develop further?
Like the human voice, every pianist has a different sound. It's difficult to completely change it. For example, it's difficult to become a bassist if you're a tenor. But in a way, I believe you can develop your sound. It's hard to explain, but it takes time to develop your own sound. It's not just about pressing the keys, but also about phrasing and the way you "sing" at the piano.

You will perform all of Ravel's piano works in one evening on his 150th birthday in 2025. How did this idea come about, and how are you preparing for it?
I first encountered Ravel's music during my studies in Paris, so it has been very close to my heart ever since. That's why I wanted to celebrate his 150th anniversary with his complete solo works. But I won't just be performing the works in their entirety in 2025; I actually started last year. It was the first time I've performed and recorded a composer's entire solo oeuvre; you could say I immersed myself completely in the work, and now I can say that I understand Ravel's music much better than before.

What are your passions besides music?
I travel a lot, so my favorite pastimes are eating and visiting good restaurants – simply because I can do that wherever I am. They don't have to be expensive restaurants, and I especially enjoy exploring local ones.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.net | February 1, 2025
© Image: Ben Wolf

Next concerts

August 24th, 2026 - Summer Festival: Recital Augustin Hadelich & Seong-Jin Cho