Cho Choppin

Sensational South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho shares his love for Handel’s often neglected keyboard suites. Each of these works is brilliantly full of character and life, and Cho has chosen his three favourites for his forthcoming album, The Handel Project. Brahms loved the suites too, and Cho has also recorded the latter’s spectacular Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, based on one movement from Suite No. 3. You can get a first taste of the pianist’s new album with his performance of Handel’s Minuet in G minor, as arranged by Wilhelm Kempff.

Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho releases the first of two upcoming albums, Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works, on which he lays his focus on the music of Ravel. Having loved the French composer since childhood and immersed himself in him while studying at the Paris Conservatoire, Cho has chosen to mark the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth in 2025 by recording his complete solo piano music and the two piano concertos. The pianist has always felt a close connection with the French piano literature and found himself fully discussing the challenges of the solo works, pointing to the composer’s orchestral sound and meticulous attention to detail. “Ravel really knew what he wanted, so I try to follow his specific markings,” he says. His insightful performance of Ravel’s works underlines Cho’s statue as one of today’s most elegant and accomplished pianists.

Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho releases the first of two upcoming albums, Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works, on which he lays his focus on the music of Ravel.

Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho releases the first of two upcoming albums, Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works, on which he lays his focus on the music of Ravel. Having loved the French composer since childhood and immersed himself in him while studying at the Paris Conservatoire, Cho has chosen to mark the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth in 2025 by recording his complete solo piano music and the two piano concertos. The pianist has always felt a close connection with the French piano literature and found himself fully discussing the challenges of the solo works, pointing to the composer’s orchestral sound and meticulous attention to detail. “Ravel really knew what he wanted, so I try to follow his specific markings,” he says. His insightful performance of Ravel’s works underlines Cho’s statue as one of today’s most elegant and accomplished pianists.

Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho releases the first of two upcoming albums, Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works, on which he lays his focus on the music of Ravel.

The Romantic theme of the wanderer, the free spirit undertaking a journey into the self, runs through Seong-Jin Cho’s latest solo album. The globetrotting Korean pianist’s programme includes two monuments of the 19th-century repertoire – Schubert’s “Wanderer” Fantasy and Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor. Set for international release by Deutsche Grammophon on 3 April 2020, The Wanderer also contains Alban Berg’s Piano Sonata Op. 1, a single-movement work of extraordinary intensity.

The Romantic theme of the wanderer, the free spirit undertaking a journey into the self, runs through Seong-Jin Cho’s latest solo album. The globetrotting Korean pianist’s programme includes two monuments of the 19th-century repertoire – Schubert’s “Wanderer” Fantasy and Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor. Set for international release by Deutsche Grammophon on 3 April 2020, The Wanderer also contains Alban Berg’s Piano Sonata Op. 1, a single-movement work of extraordinary intensity.All three compositions grow from a simple theme or melodic gesture which is then transformed in the course of a voyage of variation, development and discovery. “This music looks forwards and backwards at once,” notes Seong-Jin Cho. “What fascinates me is the composers’ ability to create great art from just a few elements. The way they develop the work’s entire fabric from a single motif is fascinating. What creativity! What imagination!”

"Deion Cho is a young guitarist of the new generation, with a wide repertoire covering various genres and periods, mainly interested in contemporary music. His development promises to be notable. He has played in festivals and contest several pieces for guitar music of my authorship. I remember the excellent interpretation of Sonata del Pensador No. 4 and El Decameron Negro..

Kyeong Ham has earned his reputation as one of the most talented and engaging oboist of his generation. Born (1993) and bred in Seoul, South Korea, he has been living in Europe ever since he was 15.

"Deion Cho is a young guitarist of the new generation, with a wide repertoire covering various genres and periods, mainly interested in contemporary music. His development promises to be notable. He has played in festivals and contest several pieces for guitar music of my authorship. I remember the excellent interpretation of Sonata del Pensador No. 4 and El Decameron Negro..