Introducing Robert Sang-Ung Choi

Robert Sang-Ung Choi was born in Chicago to a music-loving family. He began studying music at the age of three; first the violin and later, the piano and cello. His loving affection for music and exceptional musical talent became evident to his music teachers during his early years. However, as a multi-talented person, gifted in science and math as well, it was only later in life that Robert decided music was a means to an end for his life. Relying upon his numerous musical mentors for guidance, and intense soul-searching, Robert decided what he wanted to accomplish – purity of sound and depth of music, without any boundaries or limitations.

Back to Nature – the natural virtuoso, purity of sound. Through his studies at the Eastman School of Music and the Mozarteum Salzburg, he developed an ease of expression and a pureness and depth of tone that has brought him numerous performances and rave reviews as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, North America, South Africa and throughout Europe.

No Borders. From Bach to Piazzolla, Jazz to Modern Music. Robert´s interest in different types of music – jazz, tango, modern classical, traditional classical and pop – is evident in his performance with various artists and in a wide range of formations. His sheer breadth of projects includes fuegokoori, a dynamic cello and guitar ensemble; the Vienna Chamber Players; performances and recording of Friedrich Gulda's famed Concerto for Cello and Wind Orchestra, which exhibits various musical styles from funk rock to Renaissance music; performance with drummer Ritchie Pratt for ”Jazz in Honolulu“; Jazz at Leopoldskron featuring Afro-American Spirituals; chamber music with various ensembles, including the Salzburg Soloists and the Austrian Ensemble for New Music (ÖENM); and Luigi the Barnyard Mouse, which features reading and performance of his own story and music.

His most recent CD release: fuegokoori : Beneath the Surface, features classical, Latin and jazz styles in combinations of cello/guitar and cello/guitar ensemble. Currently, Robert is collaborating with jazz pianist, Tay Cher Siang on a project that will explore and juxtapose jazz and Chinese oldies with classical and funk/R&B styles.

For me, music is an inspiration. I enjoy playing classical repertoire like the Bach Cello Suites, while at the same time, I´m thrilled when performing new repertoire and being able to improvise in a concert.