Eric Lu, the 27-year-old American pianist who recently claimed the top prize at the 2025 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, is set to perform in Seoul for the first time since his historic victory. The highly anticipated concert will feature Lu collaborating with the KBS Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Leonard Slatkin. Scheduled for November 21 at 8 p.m., the performance titled "1905 and the Hope for Tomorrow" will take place at Seoul's prestigious Lotte Concert Hall.
Lu's triumph at the renowned Warsaw competition marks a remarkable comeback story, occurring exactly ten years after he placed fourth in the 2015 edition of the same competition. That year, South Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin took home the gold medal. The 17-member international jury announced Lu as the winner among 11 finalists on Tuesday, awarding him 60,000 euros (approximately $69,000) in prize money along with the coveted gold medal. Born in the United States to a Taiwanese father and Chinese mother, Lu is a graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music and previously won the 2018 Leeds International Piano Competition.
This year's Chopin Competition drew unprecedented global interest, attracting a record-breaking 642 applications from aspiring pianists worldwide. Of these, 84 musicians advanced to the main competition rounds, including 16 previous winners from major international piano contests. The competition results notably reflected the strong presence of Asian musicians, with more than half of the 11 finalists being of Asian descent. Pianists of Chinese heritage dominated the top positions, capturing the first four prizes. Canadian pianist Kevin Chen, 20, secured second place, while China's Zitong Wang, 26, claimed third place.
South Korean representation at the competition included several talented musicians who made impressive showings in the preliminary rounds. Brothers Lee Hyuk and Lee Hyo, along with Lee Kwan-uk and Julia Nakashima (who holds dual Japanese-Korean citizenship), all successfully advanced to the main competition rounds. The Lee brothers particularly distinguished themselves by progressing to the third round of the prestigious competition.
The connection between Lu and the KBS Symphony Orchestra predates his recent victory. During the orchestra's 2024 European tour, Lu performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the ensemble at Warsaw's National Philharmonic Hall – the very same venue where he would later secure his 2025 Chopin Competition triumph. This earlier collaboration has set the stage for what promises to be an exceptional performance in Seoul.
The upcoming November 21 concert under Slatkin's direction will showcase a diverse and compelling program. In addition to Lu's performance, the evening will feature the Korean premiere of Cindy McTee's "Circuits" and Dmitri Shostakovich's powerful Symphony No. 11, subtitled "The Year 1905." Following this orchestral collaboration, Lu will present a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on November 26, giving Korean audiences another opportunity to experience his artistry in an intimate setting.
Mast Media, a South Korean company with a long history of introducing Chopin Competition winners to Korean audiences, announced significant recognition for Lu on Tuesday. The company revealed that its newly established Mast Media Prize, part of the Chopin Institute's unofficial award program, was presented to Lu this year as a special honor. Looking ahead, Mast Media plans to host the Chopin Competition Winners Gala Concert in February 2026, which will feature Lu alongside other top laureates and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.
The International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition holds a distinguished place in the classical music world, having been established in 1927 to honor the legendary Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849). Since 1955, this prestigious competition has been held every five years in Warsaw, Poland, serving as a crucial platform for young pianists aged 16 to 30 to demonstrate their mastery of Chopin's compositions exclusively. The competition has experienced remarkable growth over the decades, expanding from its modest beginnings with 27 participants to the current record of 642 applicants representing 54 countries in the 2025 edition, cementing its status as one of the most important and competitive piano competitions in the world.
