For pianist Nancy Roldan, making the switch from medical student to professional pianist wasn?t challenging.
Roldan was studying in the medical field in Argentina, her native country, when she realized she couldn?t handle animal dissections.
“Fortunately, I always had music,” she said.
“I met a wonderful teacher who kind of opened up the world of music for me, so I chose that for a career. It was for me, kind of like entering a fantastic world of wonders, there were all these possible things I could do.”
Part of the particular program that Roldan chose for her concert on Saturday at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland is Modest Mussorgsky, a composer that she admires but does not often play.
“I?m really looking forward to playing it, I haven?t played for many years. It?s not often heard in the piano version, it?s most often heard in an orchestral version,” she said.
The title of her program is “Legends and Traditions” because “the composers are representative of a certain way of thinking, where they bring their soul and tradition to the music or through the music,” Roldan explained.
“Nancy Roldan?s artistry lends distinction to the LeClerc Hall stage. She is a brilliant pianist and above all, a consummate musician. Those who have heard her perform would echo my sentiments, and those who haven?t yet are in for a remarkable experience,” said Ernest Ragogini, director of music at CND concert series.
Even though she has been playing for audiences for more than 30 years, Roldan still feels nervous when performing.
“It?s very stressful in the sense of being on the spot, and at the same time, once I sit down at the piano, I just enjoy it,” Roldan said. “It?s a very creative act. In a way, you are creating all these tones and telling a story through music without having to talk about it.”
If you go
Nancy Roldan, piano
» Venue: College of Notre Dame of Maryland, LeClerc Auditorium, 4701 N. Charles St., Baltimore
» Time: 7 p.m. Saturday
» Cost: Free
» More info: www.ndm.edu or 410-532-5386
