Sung Ho Yoo, Korea

Pianist Sung Ho Yoo, born in Seoul, South Korea, has earned international acclaim for his profound artistry and technical brilliance. He recently won First Prize at the 2024 Seoul International Music Competition and was awarded a Special Prize at the 2018 Geneva International Music Competition.

Yoo completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with top honors at Korea National University of Arts, studying under Daejin Kim, and received the President’s Award in 2019. He earned a second Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where he studied with Dang Thai Son. Currently, he is pursuing the Konzertexamen at Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover with Arie Vardi.

As a soloist, Yoo has performed with leading orchestras including the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, Gunpo Prime Philharmonic, and DITTO Orchestra. He made his concerto debut at age 16 at Seoul Arts Center, performing Rachmaninoff with the Sunhwa Arts High School Orchestra. His performance of Chopin with the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra in Moscow received particular acclaim.

Yoo’s recital and chamber music appearances span China, Japan, Russia, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Notable highlights include a duo recital with cellist Sung-won Yang at the M Classical Music Festival, and performances at the Seoul International Music Festival, Music in PyeongChang Festival, and Kumho Young Artist Series.

First Round

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in g minor, No. 16, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 885
  • Frédéric Chopin: Étude in A-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 10
  • Claude Debussy: Étude No. 7, “Pour les degrés chromatiques,” L. 136
  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
    1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, ma non troppo
    2. Lebhaft, marschmäßig. Vivace alla marcia
    3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto
    4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
  • Fritz Kreisler (transcribed Rachmaninoff): “Liebesleid” (“Love’s Sorrow”)

Quarterfinal Round

  • Arnold Schoenberg: Suite for Piano, Op. 25
    1. Präludium
    2. Gavotte
    3. Musette
    4. Intermezzo
    5. Menuett. Trio
    6. Gigue
  • Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 664
    1. Allegro moderato
    2. Andante
    3. Allegro
  • Samuel Barber: Sonata in e-flat minor, Op. 26
    1. Allegro energico
    2. Allegro vivace e leggero
    3. Adagio mesto
    4. Fuga: Allegro con spirito
  • Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
    1. Meditation
    2. Rhythm Obsession

Semifinal Round—Chamber Music

  • Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
    1. Allegro ma non tanto
    2. Dumka: Andante con moto
    3. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
    4. Finale: Allegro

Final Round

  • Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
    1. Allegro ma non tanto
    2. Intermezzo: Adagio
    3. Finale: Alla breve

2025 Participants

Meet the People!

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