For the album, the winner of last year’s prestigious International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Poland repeatedly played the 40-minute concerto for nine hours during the two days.

“I played it the same way I usually do,” he said, adding that the difference was he had to repeat the same movement again and again. “Another thing is that there was no audience. But I just tried to think there’s an audience before me while recording.”

Cho chose the five masterpieces to play after Deutsche Grammophon offered him the opportunity to make a Chopin album.

“All of them are my favorite pieces. Furthermore, Piano Concerto No. 1 means so much to me because I played it in the final of the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition.”

Cho is scheduled to perform about 70 times in the United States, Europe and Asia in the 2016-2017 season that lasts till July next year. He also has concert schedules up till June 2018.

“Since winning the competition, I have gotten many chances to perform, and I perform feeling thankful every time.”

Questioned what type of musician he wants to be in the future, Cho said he will continue to make efforts to reach a level that can satisfy himself and wants to be an “artistic” pianist.

“I don't have any particular role model,” he said. “I just want to be an artistic pianist.”