Cho Seong-jin, the artist in residence of the Berliner Philharmoniker / Courtesy of Credia Music & Artists

Pianist Cho Seong-jin, 30, the artist in residence of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2024-2025 season, is set to perform Schostakowitsch's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" in collaboration with the orchestra over the course of a year, the philharmonic said on its website, Wednesday.

He will also present chamber music pieces by Brahms, Ligeti, and Bartok with members of the Berlin Philharmonic. A solo piano recital featuring the complete piano works of Ravel is also scheduled.

In an interview published on the Berlin Philharmonic's website, Cho expressed his delight at being able to choose his program freely.

"I consider myself introverted, so I'm not very good at expressing thoughts or emotions. But when I play the piano, I feel free. I can do whatever I want,"Cho said. "I felt like I was in paradise because I could do whatever I wanted."

Pianist Cho Seong-jin / Courtesy of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

'Sarcastic personality'

Regarding his performance of Schostakowitsch's Piano Concerto No. 1 in October, Cho expressed his fondness for the composer's cynical style, saying, "My friends say I have a somewhat sarcastic personality."

Reflecting on his upcoming performance of Ravel's complete piano works in April next year, Cho said, "Ravel's music offers such rich tonal colors in piano pieces that they sound like orchestral music." Despite anticipating a physically and mentally challenging journey, he added, "I've always wanted to tackle this program."

Cho described his role as a pianist as that of conveying the music, emotions, or language of composers to the audience.

He added that there is no ultimate achievement in this profession.

"Becoming the resident musician of the Berlin Philharmonic is an honor, but my true goal should be related to achieving musical depth," he said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.