Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1; Ballades

Absolutely adore Seong-Jin Cho's playing. I found out about him shortly after his victory at the 2015 Chopin competition (by way of the Chopin Institute's YouTube channel - thanks to them for uploading videos of all the competitors from the 2015 edition of the competition along with past editions! I also found Kate Liu's Chopin to be most beautiful, though I'm not sure if she has any recording sessions lined up.)5 stars because the music is great, and isn't that what we're all here for? I won't go too deep with the review here, because I think we all differ in how we perceive the music. I will call out this particular recording, though - I'm not a fan of how it was mastered. It feels to me like they messed with the dynamics a little bit. The louder, faster passages in the Concerto are a tad muddy to my ears, though this seems to affect my setups unequally. I listen to music in four places...In my car, everything sounds bad, and that's the fault of the car and road noise.At work, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 380s plugged directly into my work computer. With the office noise around me (yay open seating plan), the recording is fine.At home, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 600s plugged into a USB DAC/AMP. I can detect a little muddiness and some dynamic range compression, particularly during louder and faster passages.Also at home, I have a pair of Polk tower speakers attached to an entry-level Yamaha receiver. It is here that I have some real issues with the recording.Ah well. While I have invested some money into my audio equipment, I am the type to listen to the music and not the equipment. That is to say, I can absolutely get lost in great music played over a staticky radio. Hence, I'm still giving 5 stars. Just wanna call out the recording's characteristics, though...

What a wonderful follow-up cd to compliment Seong Jin Cho's first recording of his win at The International Chopin Competition in 2015. This cd includes Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 and the 4 Ballades. What I love so much about this pianist is when you listen to the way he plays Chopin his touch is aways so light and delicate. Even in the forte parts, which is so remarkable. For anyone who plays the piano you know when a passage comes that you have to play loud and fast it is extremely difficult to also play with a light touch. Not to mention this young man is only 22 years old and didn't start playing until he was 10. Which is starting late for a classical musician. When listening to this recording you get the euphoric feeling that this is what Chopin himself would sound like if we could hear him play. What a talent to be admired and respected. All one can do is sit and listen in awe.

Cho Seong-Jin is a great pianist. This recording shows off his artistry and musical depth, and is a must for lovers of Chopin. I never fail to be impressed by this still young, and prodigious talent.

4 star because jewel case was broken on arrival but the music is pretty good.

Wonderful music played by Mr. Cho.I'm glad that the Concerto was divided to 3 parts,my favorite is part 2.This concerto was used for the beautiful ballet Lady of the Camellias,the masterpiece ballet was based on the sad novelCamille,by Alexander Dumas.Everytime the ballet comes to this part,I debate myself whether I should close my eyes tosavor the music or open my eyes to watch the beautiful ballet.Usually I repeat that part and do both.Now with the CD,I don't have to make that choice.I'll be looking for Mr. Cho's CD playing Franz Liszt,must be also wonderful.

Chopin's piano concert has been my very favorite since the first I was introduced in my youth. I have listened to different performance. In my ears, his translation of Chopin is so poetic- it is like listening to poetic as if reading and savoring every word and emotion.

In this album, Cho plays Chopin's piano Concerto No.1 with full of maturity and delicacy., which is even better than when he played at the International Chopin Competition. I am waiting his next recording of Chopin.

I love the musical skill of Seong-jin Cho, the winner of the 17th Chopin Festival in 2015. Technically perfect, and showing emotional depth in this work by Chopin, as in all he does. Young, passionate and energetic.