By Daniel Buckwalter
(#CommonManAtTheSymphony)
An eclectic, raucous and fun musical trip through the Americas was had by all at the Eugene Symphony on Nov. 20 — but Michelle Cann stole the show.
The guest pianist, who lives in the Washington, D.C. area, gave not one, but two sterling performances at the Hult Center’s Silva Concert Hall alongside the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Alex Prior.
From the works Gabriela Ortiz, Florence Price, Maurice Revel and Duke Ellington, waves of joy spread to the audience in the Rhythm of the Americas concert, and the good-size audience responded with an enthusiastic standing ovation at the end.
Even before that, Cann, however, received four standing ovations during the concert, one for each of her two performances and one for each of her two encores. She seemed to soak it up, too, which was a treat to see.
She was the treasure of the evening. As much as I love to hear the artistry of her majestic talent on the piano, I especially love to watch her performing. In Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement, Cann struck the keyboard with gusto and precision. She is noted as the leading interpreter of Price’s music, and she showed why in a commanding performance.
With Ravel’s three-movement Piano Concerto in G Minor, Cann, along with the wind and string players, tugged on the heartstrings of the audience in the stunningly beautiful second movement. If I had been standing during that movement, I likely would have dropped to my knees.
She showed passion and joy throughout the pieces, as well as a sense of humor in her two encore performances. Eugene Symphony fans can only hope to see her again soon.
The orchestra itself opened the evening sharply with Ortiz’s Téenek: Invenciones de Territorio, a roughly 15-minute dynamic, pulsating piece that features a graceful, quiet moment of retrospection by a violinist, performed by assistant concertmaster Lisa McWhorter.
Ellington’s Harlem Suite was a fitting way to end the night. Principal trumpet player Bryce Schmidt ushered in the orchestra, and the percussion section — principal Austin Cernosek, Tim Cogswell, Brian Gardiner and Mitchell Vogel — kept the beat going. Indeed, throughout the night, I had an inclination to dance — until I remembered I have no rhythm, of course.
It was a fun night, and we all can hope to see and hear the wonderfully talented Michelle Cann again — hopefully soon.
