Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 Jae-Hyuck Cho, Russian National Orchestra & Hans Graf

• Sergei Rachmaninov (1873 - 1943): Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18:
• 1 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: I. Moderato 11:23
• 2 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto - Più animato - Tempo I 11:38
• 3 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando 11:30
• Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30:
• 4 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30: I. Allegro ma non tanto 16:43
• 5 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30: II. Intermezzo (Adagio) 11:02
• 6 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30: III. Finale (Alla breve) 14:39
• Total Runtime 01:16:55

Info for Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3

Though the works of Russian composer Rachmaninoff are often appreciated for their ardent passion and overflow of emotions, pianist Cho Jae-hyuck aims to examine a more reserved, thought-out side of the Romantic composer’s works with his latest recording of his piano concerto pieces.

In Korea, Cho recently released a studio-recording of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, and No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, under the French music label Evidence. The international release is set for October.

In summer of 2019, Cho joined hands with the Russian National Orchestra and conductor Hans Graf for the recording at the then-newly opened Zaryadye Hall in Moscow, Russia. Legendary classical music producer Michael Fine, who won the 1992 Grammy award, produced the album.

“Performers always strive to move forward. It is not so much about the techniques but more about the musical comprehension and interpretation,” Cho told The Korea Herald during an interview Tuesday in southern Seoul.

“I recently listened to a tape recording of myself playing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 when I was 16. It is like a wild horse - full of energy, something raw. A lot has changed since then,” Cho said.

Though it could be more conventional to go for Beethoven or Mozart for the first studio recording with a full orchestra, Cho went for Rachmaninoff.

“Since I was young I wanted to record these two concerto works. Graf and I promised to record these concertos again in 2029,” Cho said. “I would like to see how my musical universe has changed from a more objective perspective.”

The recording was initially set to be released in summer last year. But the release was delayed a year as the nearly the whole world -- including the music industry -- had been put on a halt due to the deadly virus pandemic.

Jae-Hyuck Cho, piano
Russian National Orchestra
Hans Graf, conductor

Jae-Hyuck Cho
Acclaimed pianist and organist Jae-Hyuck Cho is one of the most active concert artists in South Korea. He is one of the rare musicians who makes both piano and organ as his main instruments, he has been described as “a musician who is nearing perfection with extraordinary breadth of expression, flawless technique and composition, sensitivity and intelligence, insightful and detailed playing without exaggeration.”

Since making his debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 1993 as the winner of the Pro Piano New York Recital Series Auditions, Cho has been very active as a performing artist making appearances in various parts of the world. He has worked with numerous orchestras including Seoul Philharmonic and l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte- Carlo. In season 2020-21, Cho is making his UK debut as a recitalist and a soloist in Beethoven Festival of London, working with The Royal Philharmonic.

Cho’s discography includes his debut album of Beethoven Sonatas on SONY Classical where he released his second album of Beethoven and Liszt Piano Concertos No. 1 with Adrien Perruchon conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra that was featured in Gramophone’s ‘Listening Room’ shortly after its release. After a critically acclaimed release of his organ album recorded at la Madeleine, Paris under a French label Evidence, his latest collaboration with maestro Hans Graf and Russian National Orchestra of Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos No. 2 & 3 will be released on the same label later this year. His future projects include Mozart’s Piano Concertos with the Royal Philharmonic in London.

Born in ChunCheon, South Korea, Cho began piano studies at age five. He moved to New York to continue his piano studies at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division with Solomon Mikowsky, and moved on to receive Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Herbert Stessin and Jerome Lowenthal. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music, studying with Nina Svetlanova.

Cho started his organ studies at age sixteen at Manhattan School of Music Pre-College. He continued his organ studies while he was earning academic degrees majoring in piano. He served as organist/director of music in several churches in New York and New Jersey area for over 23 years. His last post was at The Old First Church of Newark, New Jersey, founded in 1666, where he had a privilege working with a professional choir and 100-rank Austin organ circa 1930s. His last major performances as an organist include a recital at St. Eustache of Paris, and at the Lotte Concert Hall of Seoul. Cho premiered Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante, Op. 81 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall with Korean Symphony Orchestra.

Cho’s celebrated communication skills on stage opened doors for opportunities to expand his musical endeavors. He has been the guest artist in 252 episodes of ‘with Piano’, a special corner of ‘Family Music’ on KBS Classic FM Radio, creating the format of ‘Live Lecture Concert on Air’ where he shared commentaries and gave performances on a live radio broadcast. He has been the lecturer for Seoul Arts Center’s signature concert series ‘The 11o’clock Concert’, and continues to serve the roll as the communicator of music to the audience.

Booklet for Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3