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Seong-Jin Cho becomes the first Korean to win Chopin Piano Competition

October 20, 2015
Cho Seong-jin (Yonhap)

Seong-Jin Cho (Yonhap)

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Seong-Jin Cho of South Korea has won the career-paving 17th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.

In the jury’s verdict announced early Wednesday, the second prize went to Charles Richard-Hamelin of Canada and the third prize to Kate Liu of the United States.

The first prize includes concerts in some of the world’s best-known halls, contracts for recordings and a 30,000-euro ($33,600) prize.

During the three weeks of the competition the pianists played only Chopin’s works.

In its 88-year history, the Chopin competition has earned a reputation as one of the world’s top piano events, opening international careers to young pianists.

Past winners include Maurizio Pollini in 1960, Martha Argerich in 1965, Garrick Ohlsson in 1970 and Krystian Zimerman in 1975.