Young piano stars leading Japan's classical music scene are visiting Korea in succession. Sorita Kyohei, who wrote a new chapter in Japanese piano history with his runner-up finish at the Chopin Competition, and Fujita Mao, known as the "Mozart of the East," will meet Korean audiences through recitals of distinctly different character.
Sorita Kyohei will hold a Korea recital at the IBK Chamber Hall of the Seoul Arts Center on the 26th of this month. Sorita took second place at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021, achieving the best result for a Japanese pianist in about 50 years. The only Japanese-born pianist to have finished higher at the Chopin Competition is Mitsuko Uchida, who placed second at the 1970 competition. Riding on this success, he rose to stardom overnight and has been drawing sold-out crowds at his major concerts.
The 31-year-old pianist has drawn attention for his challenging and bold playing style, which differs in character from that of established Japanese pianists. He left a strong impression by winning the runner-up spot at the Chopin Competition with his ponytail hairstyle, his long hair tied back.
Recently, he has been expanding his activities beyond piano to conducting. In 2024, he made his European conducting debut with the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, and last year he became the first Japanese to take the stage at the Salzburg Festival as both pianist and conductor. He has also founded the Japan National Orchestra, where he serves as artistic director and conductor, and runs a music salon called "Solistiade" where young musicians and audiences can interact — actively working to broaden the base of classical music, which draws attention as well.
In the first half of this performance, he will present works by Brahms. Following the eighth of the 11 Chorale Preludes, "A Rose Has Bloomed," arranged by Busoni, he will perform Piano Sonata No. 3.
The highlight of this performance is undoubtedly Chopin. In the second half, he will play Chopin's four scherzos. Sorita has stated, "Chopin's works contain delicate yet human emotions, making new interpretations possible with every moment of playing," adding, "I have continuously developed my own interpretation based on the audience's response."
Fujita Mao, the 26-year-old "rising piano prodigy," will hold a recital at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on October 4. He returns to Korea after one year, having left a strong impression at his first Korea performance last year by presenting the complete preludes of Scriabin and Chopin.
Fujita made his name on the world stage with his runner-up finish at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition, and earned the nickname "Mozart of the East" for his clear, transparent tone and natural musicality. He is particularly regarded as a pianist with strengths in interpreting Mozart.
He has also performed with world-renowned conductors and orchestras through Asian and European tours, including the La Scala Philharmonic led by Chung Myung-whun, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen led by Paavo Järvi, the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra led by Jaap van Zweden, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra led by Vasily Petrenko.
In this performance, he will play his signature Mozart "Rondo in D major," as well as Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 31, Debussy's "Images" Book 2, Ravel's "Menuet antique," Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 4, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata No. 2. Through a wide repertoire ranging from classicism to French impressionism to late romanticism, he plans to showcase Fujita's colorful musical world.
A concert industry official said, "It will be a good opportunity to compare the personalities of two young stars who represent Japan's classical music scene today."
