GRAMMY Award-Winning Pianist Michelle Cann Takes Center Stage in Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto, Paired with Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony
The Santa Barbara Symphony invites the community to experience two classical masterpieces connected by one universal theme—the journey from despair to triumph—as it opens its 2026/27 Season with Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM at The Granada Theatre.
Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti leads the orchestra in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring acclaimed GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann, followed by Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
“These are two blockbuster masterpieces that audiences know and love,” said Kabaretti. “Both were written during difficult moments in the composers’ lives, and you can hear the struggle and the triumph that follows. The program also showcases the extraordinary musicianship of our orchestra and our guest soloist, Michelle Cann, whose virtuosity and expressive depth make her an ideal interpreter of this magnificent concerto.”
Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto marked a return to composing after a prolonged crisis of confidence following the harsh reviews of his First Symphony. In his triumph over his self-doubt, he dedicated the piece to the physician who helped him recover.
From its unmistakable opening chords, the concerto unfolds through sweeping melodies, moments of quiet reflection, and demanding passages for both pianist and orchestra. Its memorable themes have also found a lasting place in popular culture, appearing in films and inspiring songs for generations.
For Santa Barbara Symphony audiences, Cann’s performance will take them on an emotional rollercoaster, offering the opportunity to experience the monumental technique and expressive lyricism Rachmaninoff’s concerto demands. Critics describe her talent as “technically fearless”, “taking no prisoners”, and “a compelling, sparkling virtuoso”.
After intermission, Kabaretti and The Symphony turn to Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, another masterpiece shaped by extraordinary circumstances.
Shostakovich composed the symphony in 1937 after his music had been publicly denounced by the Soviet regime, placing his career—and potentially his safety—in jeopardy. The Fifth Symphony helped restore him to public favor, but its meaning has remained open t o interpretation.
The music moves through tension, humor, reflection, and considerable orchestral force before reaching its powerful finale. Some hear the ending as a genuine triumph; others interpret it as more ironic and conflicted.
In different ways, both works tell stories of artists finding a way forward. Rachmaninoff rediscovered his creative confidence, and Shostakovich fought to preserve his artistic voice. Both speak through raw human emotion with an immediacy that can reach experienced concertgoers and newcomers alike.
Audiences are invited to delve deeper into the program at “Conversations with Classical California,” hosted by on-air personality Jennifer Miller Hammel. The pre-concert talks take place Saturday from 6:30–7:00 PM and Sunday from 2:00–2:30 PM at The Granada Theatre and include interviews with guest artists and insight into the music and its meaning.
#RACHONSTATE — SYMPHONY & PIANOS ON STATE TEAM UP FOR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST
The public is also invited to take part in #RachOnState, a playful community-wide piano and social media challenge inspired by Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2. This collaboration with Pianos on State, organized by the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, kicks off October 1 at 5 PM at Piano #4, Anapamu & State Street, where Santa Barbara Symphony Maestro Nir Kabaretti will show Santa Barbara how he “Rachs.” Participants are invited to play a favorite Rachmaninoff passage—or put their own spin on one—then record their performance and share it on Instagram @sbsymphony or Facebook with @SantaBarbaraSymphony and #RachOnState, for a chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to The Symphony’s season opener. For rules and details, visit https://thesymphony.org/concerts-events/rach-on-state/
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Tickets for Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto are available online, in person, or by calling the Granada Theatre box office at (805) 899-2222. For additional details, visit TheSymphony.org. Subscriptions for the 2026/27 Season are also available. Call (805) 898-9386 or visit The Symphony website for details.
THE ARTISTS
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
THE REPERTOIRE
Rachmaninoff| Piano Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich| Symphony No. 5
EVENT SPONSORS
Principal Concert Sponsor
Barbara Rosenblum
Artist Sponsors
Susan Aberle
Ann & Eric Capogrosso
Selection Sponsors
Barbara Burger & Paul Munch*
Robert Koenig
Ruth & John* Matuszeski
Jerry & Joan Rocco
*in memoriam
ABOUT MICHELLE CANN
GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann has performed with leading ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra. A recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Cann is also widely recognized for championing the music of Florence Price, earning a 2023 GRAMMY Award for Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement and a second Grammy in 2025 for Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price. She serves on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music and Manhattan School of Music.
