Cho Seong-jin wins Chopin Competition

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin won the 17th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday.

The jury awarded the second prize to Charles Richard-Hamelin of Canada and the third prize to Kate Liu of the United States.

Established in 1927 to pass down the musical legacy of the Polish composer, the career-paving competition is held for in Warsaw for three weeks during which participating pianists play only Chopin's works in front of a 17-member international jury. Taking place every five years, pianists between the ages of 16 and 30 can take part in the event.

Cho, who played the Concerto in E minor, Op. 11 with the Warsaw Philharmonic in the final, is the first Korean to win the prestigious award.

"It became my dream to participate in the competition and I cannot believe this moment," Cho said during a press conference before the final results were announced. He explained how he wanted to take part in the renowned competition ever since he was 11 and listened to its 2005 edition.

He said all stages of the competition were really tough, mentioning how he was "out of control" in the first round. "I didn't remember how I played so I checked on YouTube," he said.

The 21-year-old pianist said he is "well aware that it takes a long time to be a genuine artist,” noting that he loves being a pianist.

Cho started playing the piano at the age of 6 and graduated from Yeowon School and Seoul Arts High School, before heading to France to study under Michel Beroff at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris.

He won third prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in 2014 and a bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011.

The winners will hold gala concerts at the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall through Friday and then tour Europe and Asia. Korea is part of the tour and they will present a concert at the Seoul Arts Center on Feb. 2.