Seong-Jin Cho Named Resident Artist of Berlin Philharmonic... Second Asian to Receive the Honor

Berlin Philharmonic Returns to Korea After 6 Years, Concerts on 11-12
Seong-Jin Cho Performs Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Second Asian Performer After Uchida Mitsuko, First in Korea

"The Berlin Philharmonic is the world's best orchestra with a unique sound. Many performers dream of collaborating with the Berlin Philharmonic. Currently living in Berlin and having many friends in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, I have high expectations for this performance."

On the afternoon of the 10th, attendees posed at the press conference for the Berlin Philharmonic's visit concert held at the Mugunghwa Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. From the left: Andrea Zutzmann, Orchestra Representative; pianist Seong-Jin Cho; chief conductor Kirill Petrenko; Berlin Philharmonic member Eva Maria Thomasi; and Philip Bonen.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 10th, pianist Seong-Jin Cho, who will perform as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic visiting Korea for the first time in six years, shared his thoughts at a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Seong-Jin Cho was selected as the Berlin Philharmonic’s Artist-in-Residence for next year.

Seong-Jin Cho first collaborated with the Berlin Philharmonic six years ago in 2017. It was not a scheduled performance. At that time, the scheduled soloist, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, canceled his performance due to worsening left arm tendinitis symptoms, and Seong-Jin Cho stepped in as a substitute to perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto. Starting with his official debut on November 4th of that year at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall with the Berlin Philharmonic, he subsequently performed together in Germany, Hong Kong, and Korea.

Recalling that performance, Seong-Jin Cho said, "It’s already been six years. The debut stage was also in November, and time really flies. Of course, the memories from that time are vivid."

He added, "I remember feeling excited and nervous before going on stage. I performed three different concertos with the Berlin Philharmonic three times, and I am grateful and looking forward to being able to perform on stage again."

For the performance on the 12th, he will collaborate on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Seong-Jin Cho personally proposed this piece to the Berlin Philharmonic, and this concert will be his first collaboration with Kirill Petrenko. It is reported that they have already completed a pre-rehearsal in Berlin ahead of the Korean performance.

Pianist Cho Seong-jin is giving a greeting at the press conference for the Berlin Philharmonic's Korea tour held on the afternoon of the 10th at the Mugunghwa Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Seong-Jin Cho said, "The piece was decided last summer. The orchestra requested that we perform a classical repertoire, and I suggested this piece that I like, which was quickly accepted. The last performance of this piece in Korea was in 2019, so it has been quite a while, and I really wanted to perform it."

Kirill Petrenko, the twelfth chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic, is making his first appearance on a Korean stage with this visit. He said, "I am very much looking forward to meeting Korean audiences in beautiful Korea," and added, "We will present two very exciting concerts in Seoul over two days."

On the first day, the Berlin Philharmonic will perform Mozart’s Symphony No. 29, Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. On the second day, they will present Strauss’s "Ein Heldenleben" ("A Hero’s Life") along with the collaboration with Seong-Jin Cho.

Petrenko explained, "The program for this Korea visit, including Strauss’s 'Ein Heldenleben,' is a very important repertoire that completes the Berlin Philharmonic’s sound. Conductors who have led the Berlin Philharmonic, including Karajan, completed the orchestra’s sound through these pieces, which is why I personally selected them."

Starting with this Korea visit, Petrenko will begin his full journey with the Berlin Philharmonic through an Asia tour. Shortly after his appointment as chief conductor, all scheduled tours were canceled due to the global spread of COVID-19, so this is his first full-scale concert tour.

Kirill Petrenko, Chief Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, is expressing his thoughts on his visit to Korea at a press conference held on the afternoon of the 10th at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "I feel like I am starting a true journey with the Berlin Philharmonic now. After my appointment, COVID-19 spread, and I was unable to perform much for a long time, but after the U.S. tour last year and starting the Asia tour this year, I see this as the beginning of a long and successful journey ahead."

Andrea Zietzschmann, the Berlin Philharmonic’s representative, said, "Seong-Jin Cho’s selection as Artist-in-Residence is still a secret not yet announced in Europe," adding, "But since European audiences probably don’t read Korean newspapers, I will reveal it here."

Seong-Jin Cho is the first Korean to be selected as Artist-in-Residence of the Berlin Philharmonic. He is the second Asian after Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida.

Zietzschmann added, "Next year, as Artist-in-Residence, Seong-Jin Cho will perform one or two concertos and several chamber music pieces with the Berlin Philharmonic. Also, if he wishes, he can participate in educational programs with about 30 musicians from the Karajan Academy."

Furthermore, Zietzschmann emphasized the Berlin Philharmonic’s role as a musical ambassador supporting the activities of the United Nations Refugee Agency, helping refugees to pursue a safer and brighter future, and urged, "We hope Korean audiences will take a keen interest in this aspect through this performance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.