We’re looking forward to welcoming pianist Drew Petersen back to the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage for our April 24–25 performances. A 2017 American Pianists Awards winner and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Petersen returns to perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
What draws you most to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2?
Its directness and depth of expression. Despite its sweeping scale, I think the Second Concerto is really quite introverted. It feels like Rachmaninoff is inviting us to explore the depths of the human soul. There’s a vulnerability to the piece that I find incredibly moving. It’s also exhausting to live with and work through, but it keeps me coming back.
Is there a particular moment in the concerto that feels especially powerful to you?
There are so many, but the opening stands out. The piano begins alone, building a huge crescendo with alternating chords and bass notes. It’s simple, but incredibly powerful. It draws you right into the emotional and sonic world of the piece from the very first notes.
What’s something audiences might not realize about performing this concerto?
Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto often gets the reputation for being the most difficult, but the Second has many challenges that aren’t as obvious. There are passages that are still terrifying no matter how much you practice them. The piano plays almost continuously throughout the entire concerto, with very little rest, and yet there are surprisingly few true solo moments. It’s a constant collaboration with the orchestra, which makes it both demanding and incredibly rewarding.
What are you most looking forward to about performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra?
I’m really looking forward to sharing this deeply collaborative work with the ISO. I’ve had the chance to work with them before on Prokofiev’s Second and Third Piano Concertos, and I know the level of musicianship they bring. It’s also very special to return to Hilbert Circle Theatre. The last time I was on this stage was as a finalist and winner of the 2017 American Piano Awards, and I’ve built many friendships in Indianapolis since then. I’m excited to see familiar faces in the audience.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Lately, I’ve been enjoying changing into my performance attire just before going onstage. That process helps center me and puts me in a focused, relaxed mindset before I begin playing.
Outside of music, what are you enjoying right now?
I love cooking and have been working on perfecting my egg-poaching skills. I’ve also been spending time outdoors whenever I can, whether that’s swimming or hiking. I’m especially looking forward to visiting Zion National Park next month while I’m in Utah for a recital.
For someone hearing this concerto for the first time, what should they listen for?
Rachmaninoff was deeply influenced by the sound of bells, and you can hear that throughout the concerto, especially in the lower registers of the first and third movements. There are also so many beautiful melodies. Pay attention to how he builds each one to a climax and then lets it fall away. He’s always striving toward something, and by the end of the third movement, he truly arrives.
In one sentence, this concert is perfect for someone who…
…wants to fall in love with some of the most compelling music out there.
About the Program
From the charm of Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 to the sweeping beauty of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, this program is filled with energy and lyricism. At its heart is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by Drew Petersen, a work beloved for its emotional depth and unforgettable melodies.