Seong-Jin Cho named LSO Artist Portrait for Season 2025/26

Next season, Seong-Jin Cho takes the spotlight as the focus of London Symphony Orchestra’s Artist Portrait with three bold and contrasting piano concertos that reflect his range, depth, and curiosity as an artist. The series features Prokofiev’s stormy and dramatic Second Piano Concerto, a piece Cho describes as “very Russian; a cold wind in cold scenery, yet somehow warm,” alongside Chopin’s lyrical and operatic Second Piano Concerto, and a brand-new concerto by rising Korean composer Donghoon Shin. “It’s always special to premiere a new work,” Cho says. “Donghoon’s voice is so original, and his music speaks with both emotional clarity and contemporary depth.”

The 2025/26 season marks a continued collaboration between Cho and the LSO, a relationship that began in 2016 with a studio recording of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and has since included performances across Europe and Asia with conductors like Gianandrea Noseda and Sir Simon Rattle. “The piano concerto is not only for piano, but for the orchestra too,” says Cho. “So we all have to communicate, and both Gianandrea and Sir Antonio Pappano are incredible partners for that.” Cho’s Artist Portrait reflects both his deep roots in the classical canon and his passion for shaping the music of today, culminating in a portrait not only of a pianist, but of a complete musician.

The season begins with a European tour in September, including performances across Eastern and Central Europe as well as at the Barbican on September 18. Seong-Jin returns to the Barbican in November 2025 and February 2026 before taking performances on tour to Spain. Cho also appears in recital and chamber music concerts at LSO St. Luke’s throughout the season.