When pianist Bruce Liu last performed in Seoul in 2023, his recital was filled with electrifying technique and seven encores. Liu returns to Seoul in May as part of the 2025 Great Pianists Series, bringing with him an entirely new program centered on Russian Romanticism, featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Scriabin and Prokofiev.

"With Tchaikovsky, I think there's this emotional vulnerability. His pain-dedicated personal moments, even larger-than-large gestures,” Liu, who catapulted to international stardom after winning the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition, said in an e-mail interview. “Prokofiev, I'm excited to highlight with his rhythmical energy. It's a very modern edge. He brings a fresh, sometimes cheeky contrast that keeps the program very dynamic. Overall, I think I helped to create an arch. It feels like a journey through the emotional seasons of the Russian soul.”

The program opens with “The Seasons,” Tchaikovsky’s 12-piece cycle capturing the atmosphere of each month. The work is the centerpiece of Liu’s second Deutsche Grammophon album, released in November last year.

“Every piece in ‘The Seasons’ has its own charm and challenge,” he said. “I love how Tchaikovsky managed to evoke the mood of each month so vividly. There’s always something new to discover in every performance.”

Liu made the rare decision to split the work into two parts -- January to June before the intermission, and July to December after.

“Dividing it into two parts was something I felt would help the audience to better connect with the emotional journey of the piece. 'The Seasons' is so much more than just a cycle of 12 pieces. It's a reflection of the passage of time with each month offering a very unique mood and texture. And by splitting it into two halves, I want to allow each step of the month to breathe and give the audience a chance to fully immerse themselves in the contrasting seasons and the images that Tchaikovsky evokes,” he added.

From there, the program moves into Scriabin’s Piano Sonata No. 4, and concludes with Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7, often called the “War Sonata.”

Liu, who was born in Paris to Chinese parents and raised in Montreal, attributes much of his interpretive breadth to his multicultural upbringing.

“Growing up between cultures -- Chinese at home, French and North American outside -- taught me that there’s never just one way to understand or express something,” he said. “I’m drawn to the elegance and clarity of French music, the storytelling of Russian music. Being multicultural makes me more open and curious. I try to respect the traditions behind each piece but also find my own authentic voice. That’s very important to me.”

Though his victory at the Chopin Competition launched him into the global spotlight, Liu sees that moment not as a destination but a beginning. “Winning the competition was truly life-changing,” he said. “Everything happened so quickly — concerts, invitations, recordings. But internally, it gave me a new sense of confidence and responsibility. It’s not just a prize — it’s a legacy. It made me think more seriously about the kind of artist I want to be.”

He continues to seek growth beyond the competition. “I don’t want to be defined only by that event. I want to keep evolving, exploring wider repertoire, collaborating with different musicians. I think art should be driven by honesty and curiosity, not just ambition. There’s still so much for me to learn and discover.”

As his international career has expanded, so too has his understanding of audiences -- among them, he noted that he feels “a particularly deep emotional connection” with those in Korea.

“Korean audiences have a strong tradition of music appreciation. When they respond, it’s not just polite applause -- it’s genuine. I can feel they’re with me through every moment. It’s incredibly inspiring and intimate at the same time.”

Liu is scheduled to perform at the Seoul Arts Center on May 11. Tickets are priced from 50,000 won ($35) to 110,000 won.