Florence Price was a woman with a true can-do spirit. Despite the challenges that existed for Black women in the early 20th century, she managed not only to write some of the most beautiful music in the American classical repertoire, but to also become one of the more performed composers of our time. On top of all of this, she’s also managed to inspire others to tap into that can-do spirit, even from the grave. Hello, I’m Loki Karuna, and on this edition of Noteworthy I’d like to celebrate the can-do spirit of one of Ms. Price’s biggest contemporary advocates: it’s pianist Michelle Cann.
Hailing from a musical family in Avon Park, Florida, Michelle began the piano at age 7. While she picked up many other instruments along the way, her focus on the piano proved beneficial, quite early. By the time she reached age 25, Michelle was already one of the most sought-after performers of her generation. She’s featured here with the New York Youth Symphony in a performance of a work by Florence Price that fell into obscurity until it was rediscovered in 2009 – Price’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in One Movement.
In recent years, Michelle has continued her celebration of Florence Price and other historically marginalized composers, earning herself several awards, including a Grammy in 2025. Michelle CAN-do just about anything at the piano, and is easily among today’s most noteworthy.
Noteworthy is a production of WDAV classical public radio.
Pictured: Michelle Cann by Titilayo-Ayangade.