THSO Opens 98th Season Featuring Award-Winning Pianist, Drew Petersen

[Terre Haute] - On September 23, 2023, at 7:30pm, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra presents Petersen Plays Grieg featuring award-winning pianist Drew Petersen, a highly sought-after soloist who has performed throughout the United States and internationally. The concert will open with Florence Price’s bluesy Suite of Dances followed by Petersen performing Edvard Grieg’s famous Piano Concerto. The THSO will close the evening with Jean Sibelius’ lush Symphony No. 2.  

Petersen performed Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the THSO in April 2022 on short notice when previously scheduled pianist, Di Wu, had a last-minute complication. Stephanie Salter’s review in the Tribune Star of that performance captures Petersen’s immense talent and highlights his rise to stardom:  

“Unlike many concert pianists, Petersen is economical with his body. No flying arms, bouncing torso or swooping head moves. He allows his hands to deliver the fireworks and, boy, do they deliver... [he] executed the dazzling arpeggios as if he had four hands. His interpretation of the second movement, the gorgeous adagio sostenuto, was exquisitely sweet...” 

At the age of five, Petersen made his debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. He was presented in a solo recital at Steinway Hall in Manhattan for the company’s 150th Anniversary when just 10 years old. The New York Times has written about the early performances of the gifted, “freckle-faced 10-year-old who still impresses adults with his intelligence, maturity and depth” and New York Magazine prominently featured Petersen in an article about child prodigies. Petersen’s extraordinary gifts were also chronicled in the documentary Just Normal and in Andrew Solomon’s book, Far From the Tree, which features case studies of exceptional children. 

Petersen graduated cum laude from Harvard at age 19 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in social science and did his graduate music studies at the Juilliard School, where he recently completed his Artist Diploma as a recipient of the prestigious Kovner Fellowship.  

An avid traveler, Petersen’s emerging career frequently takes him abroad, where he sets out to discover new foods and meet locals as eagerly as he performs for new audiences. Overseas appearances include recitals at the Musica e Arte Festival in Tolentino, Italy, Verbier Festival in Verbier, Switzerland, and Euro Arts Music Festival in Leipzig, Germany. 

This concert is proudly sponsored by Dr. Bill Hughes and David & Barbara Hagerman. 

Supper at the Symphony 

Make it a date night with a concert and Supper at the Symphony! Come to the concert early and enjoy a delectable three-course meal served in the McKee Family Heritage Ballroom of Tirey Hall, right down the hall from Tilson Auditorium. The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, and dinner is served promptly at 5:30pm. Dinner reservations are $25 per person. Patrons will enjoy a salad to start and choose one entrée of either Molasses Glazed Roasted Pork Loin, Basil Pesto Salmon, or Butternut Squash Ravioli. Entrees are served with Fresh Grilled Asparagus and Potatoes Au Gratin. Classic Cherry Cheesecake will be served for dessert. Reservations can be made at www.thso.org or by calling the THSO office at (812) 242-8476. Reservations close at 12pm on Tuesday, September 19. 

Concert Conversations 

Join Artistic Director, Dr. David Bowden, as he talks about the repertoire performed on this concert and interviews guest artist Drew Petersen during Concert Conversations in the McKee Family Heritage Ballroom in Tirey Hall on the campus of Indiana State University before the concert at 6:45pm. FREE to all concert ticket holders! 

Above: David Bowden interviews Caroline Goodwin during Concert Conversations prior to Joyful Holidays on December 3, 2022.

Concert Tickets   

Patrons can purchase concert tickets by visiting www.thso.org or calling the Hulman Center at (812) 237-3737. Ticket prices for adults are $19, $48, and $60. Student and youth tickets are $5, $11, and $15. Prices do not include facility and venue fees.   

ISU Student Tickets 

ISU students receive FREE tickets to THSO concerts! Students can show their student ID at the Tilson Auditorium ticket window starting at 6:30pm before a concert to receive a free ticket. Only 100 tickets are available for ISU students. Students can get their tickets in advance by visiting the Hulman Center box office.  

Accessible Entrance 

An elevator is available for patrons who need accessible entry at the rear of Tirey Hall. Patrons can be dropped off behind Tirey Hall in the alley between Fairbanks and Tilson for direct access to the elevator or enter through the ground level at the front of Tilson Auditorium via the downstairs lobby. Signage will be posted at the venue with directions to the elevator. 

Parking   

Patrons may park in the Indiana State University Parking garage located at 750 Cherry Street for free between 4 PM and 11 PM on the day of the concert. This parking garage is located across the street from Tilson Auditorium.