Deutsche Grammophon 6th Album 'Handel Project'
Song That Resonated During COVID "Practiced 7-8 Hours a Day"
"Want to Perform All Beethoven Sonatas Before Turning 40"
[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] "I thought playing Handel's music from the Baroque era on the harpsichord would be easy, but for me as a pianist, there were many challenging aspects. While preparing the Handel album with piano performance, I practiced more than ever before in my life."
Pianist Seong-Jin Cho spoke about the difficulties he faced when playing the harpsichord during the online press conference commemorating the release of 'The Handel Project' album. Released simultaneously worldwide on the 3rd, this album is his first full-length album in two years and his sixth album released under Deutsche Grammophon (DG). Considering that the piano did not exist in the 18th century when Handel (1685?1759), who along with Bach (1685?1750) is regarded as a representative composer of the Baroque era, lived, Seong-Jin Cho's Handel project seems like an unexpected choice.
During the Baroque era, the harpsichord (cembalo), the predecessor of the piano, was used. Therefore, it is uncommon for modern pianists to perform Handel's harpsichord pieces. Seong-Jin Cho has mainly performed classical or Romantic pieces until now, and this is his first Baroque album release. In particular, Handel did not leave many keyboard compositions. He only left Harpsichord Suites Book 1 (a total of 8 pieces) and Harpsichord Suites Book 2 (a total of 9 pieces).
Seong-Jin Cho said, "I bought both Handel Suites volumes 1 and 2 and played them from beginning to end. I played all day and selected the pieces that resonated with me. It's hard to explain why I liked them. I think it's easier to explain why I dislike something, but the opposite is difficult."
Seong-Jin Cho considered recording the Handel album during the first half of 2020 when performances were halted worldwide due to COVID-19.
"I also spent a lot of time at home and felt very anxious. Still, having time alone was a good thing. I could focus more on music. At that time, I bought many scores and practiced alone at home a lot. Not only Handel but also Beethoven and Bach?pieces I usually didn't have time for?I played a lot, and Handel's music especially resonated with me. That was in 2020, and I thought it would be good to record around the year after next."
He also explained why he chose Handel over Bach among Baroque music.
"To be honest, I thought I wasn't ready to record or perform Bach yet. Both Bach and Handel are composers I deeply respect, but if Bach is more intellectual and complex, Handel's keyboard suites feel more heartfelt and melodic. For someone not very familiar with Baroque music, Handel was a bit easier to start with than Bach. However, as I studied, I realized Handel's music is no less challenging. Baroque music seems to be a genre that takes a long time. It takes longer to understand or gain confidence in playing than other genres. So, while preparing this Handel album, I practiced more than ever before in my life. Especially after the tour planned for February last year was canceled, I had a month at home and practiced the most then. I think I practiced 7 to 8 hours every day."
Seong-Jin Cho also tried playing the harpsichord himself to gain a deeper understanding of Handel's pieces. Through this, he realized it is a completely different instrument from the piano, which made him feel Handel's music was not easy.
"In May last year, I performed in Bamberg, Germany, where there were many harpsichords in the instrument storage. When I actually played, it was really difficult. The harpsichord is a completely different instrument from the modern piano. The harpsichord plucks the strings, whereas the piano strikes the strings with hammers. Apart from having keys, I think they are different instruments. The biggest difference is that dynamic control is easier on the modern piano. The piano's advantage is that expression (using pedals, etc.) is easier. I don't know if Handel or Bach would like hearing their pieces played on a modern piano if they came back to life. Still, Baroque music allows a wide range of interpretation. Compared to Beethoven or Romantic-era composers, Baroque scores have far fewer indications, so the scope for interpretation is broader. For this album, I recorded with the interpretation I believe is correct."
However, Seong-Jin Cho recorded the album using as little piano pedal as possible to preserve the feel of the harpsichord.
In addition to Handel's harpsichord pieces, the album includes Brahms' (1833?1897) 'Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel.' He said, "Since Brahms composed this piece inspired by Handel's harpsichord suites, including it was a natural flow."
In a past interview, Seong-Jin Cho mentioned wanting to challenge Brahms in his 30s. Born in 1994, he is approaching thirty.
He said, "Around 2018, I said I wanted to challenge Brahms in my 30s. I vaguely wanted to play Brahms around my 30s, but looking back now, I think I spoke prematurely. From now on, I intend not to mention plans for the future."
He also expressed a desire to take on the cycle of performing all 32 Beethoven sonatas. He said, "Performing all Beethoven sonatas is a project many musicians want to do. I want to do it before I turn forty," adding, "Not 'I will,' but 'I want to.'"
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