Ronaldo's musical journey began in the jungles of northern Guatemala where he bought his first guitar, a flamenco guitar for $5.00. That first guitar had steel strings, but it did not discourage him from spending 8 hours daily teaching himself to play his favorite instrument.
In the summer of 1972 the Government of Guatemala in cooperation with the Institute of Hispanic Culture awarded Ronaldo a grant to study with Maestro Regino Sainz de la Maza at the Escuela de Estudios Arabes in Granada, Spain. Upon his return, the Institute of Hispanic Culture sponsored his first concert tour of the United States and Canada.
Ronaldo has numerous other recordings on the Maya Records label. This new CD shows the various influences on his unique style, including, Mayan, Spanish, Latin and classical music.
A special loving thanks to my wife Angela for assisting me in selecting and arranging the wonderful music of Rachmaninoff.
Sergie Rachmaninoff April 1, 1873 March 28, 1943, was a Russian-born composer who later in life became an American citizen. As a pianist with powerful artistic presence, he is remembered for creating some of the world's most extraordinary piano works.
He was one of the greatest pianists of his generation, having legendary technical facilities and rhythmic drive, and his large hands were able to easily cover an interval of twelve on the piano. His piano concertos are among the most demanding ever composed, as he sought to challenge both himself and other pianists to greater heights.
At his home in Beverly Hills Rachmaninoff had two Steinway pianos which he played with Vladimir Horowitz and other pianists. His love for fast cars was second to music, and led him to occasional fines for exceeding the speed limit.
He gave numerous charitable performances, and donated large sums of money to the Allies fighting the Nazis. He became a US citizen in 1943, a few days before his death. In his last concert he played Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 featuring the famous Funeral March. He died on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills and was laid to rest in Kensico Cemetary, New York.
