Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin performs with Berlin Philharmonic in Seoul

Pianist Cho Seong-jin, left, and maestro Kirill Petrenko, chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, during a press conference at the Seoul Arts Center on Friday [YONHAP]

Cho Seong-jin, Korea's star pianist, will perform with the Berlin Philharmonic at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Sunday under the baton of Russian maestro Kirill Petrenko.

Cho will become the Philharmonic's first-ever Korean artist-in-residence next year. He is the second Asian artist to receive the residency following Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida, who held the title during the orchestra's 2008-2009 season.

“Cho is very intuitive,” said Andrea Zietzschmann, general manager of the Berlin Philharmonic, during a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on Friday ahead of the orchestra’s two-day concert in Seoul.

“We don't offer this residency if we don't have a very special and strong relationship,” she added.

Artists-in-residence regularly accompany the orchestra as well as its chamber music groups.

Cho, who rose to international stardom after winning the 17th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015, first collaborated with the Berlin Philharmonic six years ago. He replaced Lang Lang for concerts that the orchestra performed in Korea in 2017, playing Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major.”

“It's been six years since my first collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic. It was also in November, of which I still have a vivid memory. How time flies,” said Cho. “I am so excited and happy to do my third collaboration.”

The orchestra performed “Mozart’s Symphony No. 29,” Berg’s “Three Pieces for Orchestra,” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4” on Saturday under Petrenko’s baton. Petrenko officially began his tenure as the orchestra's chief conductor in the 2019-2020 season, receiving the baton from Sir Simon Rattle.

Cho will join the orchestra for Sunday's repertoire, performing Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4.” This is Cho’s third time accompanying the orchestra.

Cho and the orchestra’s performance on Sunday begins at 5 p.m. Tickets sold out as soon as sales opened.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]