Double trouble. In the key of C.
Claire and Antoinette Cann, internationally acclaimed duo-pianists, and twin sisters, performed a two piano concert March 13 in Roussel Performance Hall.
The twins took the stage shortly after 7:30 p.m and played until 9 p.m. Tickets were first sold for $10 for general admission, and $5 for the Loyola community, but by Friday, the Loyola community could obtain free tickets to the event. The twins began the concert with “Danse Macabre,” Op. 40, by Camille Saint-Saëns. The performance also included 10 other works, including “Introduction and Allegro” by Maurice Ravel.
The Cann twins told the audience that Ravel was their favorite composer before their performance of his piece. calling it “delicious to play.”
The crowd responded with applause after each piece.
“The way they played as a duo was something I never had experienced prior to seeing them,” Jacquie Berding, criminal justice sophomore said. “I was definitely thrilled with their performance, and I am glad that I went and experienced something new and different.”
The Cann twins also taught a free master class Friday at 3:30 p.m. The twins asked the students who attended the class to come backstage during the intermission to take a photograph with them. They said they wanted to remember the students after they return to England.
According to the twins’ promotional Web site, http://www.canntwins.co.uk, Claire and Antoinette Cann have performed all over the world. They studied with Jean Merlow and Robert Bell before attending the Royal College of Music in London, where they were the only pianists ever from the institution to graduate with honors in both solo and duo-piano performance. They were invited by the Queen Mother to perform at the Royal Lodge Windsor for Queen Elizabeth and her guests.
In addition to teaching classes at Loyola, the Cann twins have also taught master classes at the Royal College of Music, London, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and Stetson University here in the U.S.
The twins’ recordings have won numerous awards, including critic’s choice awards from Classic FM and Gramophone and “Best 49 CDs” from HMV, according to the site.
Deidre Molin can be reached at [email protected].
