It is not unusual for an eight-year-old to take piano lessons. In fact, quite a few children start taking lessons at a young age at the request of their parents.

However, as children get older, other interests develop and they decide that other activities can be much more exciting than sitting on a hard bench in front of a page of notes.

Though this may be the situation for most piano students, it was never the case for french piano prodigy Jonathan Gilad.

While his peers were out searching for new ways to be an eight-year-old, Gilad was studying piano at the Conservatory of Music in his native Marseilles.

Nine years later, Gilad is still playing and he hasn’t lost interest one bit. Since the time he entered the Conservatory in 1989, he has given recitals in destinations such as Spain, Switzerland, Salzburg, Paris and throughout Germany, to name a few.

Thursday night, Gilad will perform at Stephens Auditorium with the nationally acclaimed St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

Over the years, the venue has presented many different orchestras, but Paul Ferrone, artistic director for Stephens Auditorium said Thursday’s concert has the potential to rank up there with the New York Philharmonic’s performance that marked the opening of Stephens in 1969.

“People are still talking about that,” Ferrone said. “Even if you’re not familiar with orchestral music, you should come for the experience.”

Ferrone said one of the reasons this orchestra has gained such prominence is because the players are so excellent.

“It’s one of the top five orchestras in the world,” Ferrone said. “It’s that good. We’re talking orchestras in the same category as the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony.”

Just like the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic had its beginnings. Founded in 1882, the Philharmonic is said to be Russia’s oldest orchestra.

During its existence, it has been instrumental in furthering the careers of Russian and Soviet composers. The legendary Dmitri Shostakovich’s “First Symphony” was premiered in 1926 by the Philharmonic, bringing immediate international attention to Shostakovich.

After such a favorable reception of Shostakovich’s “First Symphony,” the orchestra went on to premier seven more of his compositions.

These accomplishments, among many others, have given the St. Petersburg Philharmonic unequaled prestige and have made it one of the world’s premier symphonic ensembles.

“[The St. Petersburg Philharmonic] is a combination of the highest level of artistry accompanied with a really rich tradition of history and culture,” Ferrone said.

In keeping with the orchestra’s trademark devotion to composers, they plan to perform an original work from living Russian composer, Georgy Sviridov, as well as Marice Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe,” a piece Ferrone describes as “some of the most gorgeous music written for orchestra.”

“This is a good date concert,” Ferrone said. “If you want to impress anyone, this is the concert to do it at.”

Also on the program will be Gilad’s performance of Robert Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54,” a concerto Ferrone said will be well played.

Because of Gilad’s accomplishments, Ferrone said he sits in the same category as great classical performers such as violinist Itzhak Pearlman and cellist Yo Yo Ma.

The fact that conductor Yuri Temirkanov asked Gilad to tour with the orchestra is proof in itself of Gilad’s ability, Ferrone said. “You can pretty well rest assured that he’s very, very good.”

The St. Petersburg orchestra will perform tonight at 7:30 at Stephens Auditorium under the baton of Yuri Temirkanov, featuring Jonathan Gilad. Student tickets are $20, $17, $14 and can be purchased at the Iowa State Center and all Ticketmaster locations.