Press Highlights

“Cann takes no prisoners at the keyboard. The audience fell in love with her performances...and it was obvious from her walk - on applause from the orchestra that the musicians had fallen in love with her, too."

“In her mighty performance of Price’s concerto, Cann didn’t just surmount the acoustic challenges of the Pritzker Pavilion stage: She sailed over them with the grace and flexibility of a high jumper, her powerful fingerwork crisply enunciating her interplay with the orchestra. After a big-boned exposition, Cann toggled easily to the luscious, unaffected sincerity of the lyric middle section…to the heady exhilaration of a ragtime- like Allegretto.”

“Cann clearly knows [Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement] in her bones. In the final section, she tore through Price’s rollicking, ragtime-infused melodies with the red-hot glee of a honky-tonk pianist….Cann rode the orchestral waves like a proud ship on a powerful sea.”

“Michelle Cann is technically fearless, with a bold attack and an enormous, rich sound… But even more than Cann’s virtuosity, it was her joyous, lit-from-within energy that connected with the audience.”

“Cann offered the second, dream-like movement of Price’s Piano Sonata in e. It was gorgeous.”

“[Florence Price’s] Sonata in E minor is a unique fusion of the European Romantic ballade sound with Black spiritual foundations. It requires a dramatic cohesive approach, and Cann displayed an ease and familiarity that was astonishing. The entire piece was played with an improvisatory attitude, belying its underlying meticulous structure. It flowed effortlessly, like a grandparent passing on a family story, and was a personal favorite of the night.”

“Cann brings flawless technique and measurable passion.”

“Pianist Michelle Cann played the concerto with conviction… I can’t imagine a better interpretation.”

“Michelle Cann is a musician and pianist of exceptional integrity and skill. She is a wonderful example of

what it means to be a vital, fully engaged citizen of our profession.”

“Pianist Michelle Cann demonstrated intuition, intelligence, and passion.”

“Michelle Cann, as the piano soloist, was a compelling, sparkling virtuoso.”