Pianist Dr. Ron Williams performed the 50th Anniversary Recital of Toccatas and Sonatas Thursday night at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall.
The event was put on as a fundraiser for Carson City Symphony’s String for the School Program. More than fifty people attended, ranging from children to seniors.
The Recital featured songs written and originally played by J.S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, Paradisi, Haydn, Schumann, Beethoven and Ravel.
Williams was accompanied by his wife Genevieve Williams, who also assisted him while he was performing.
“I thought the performance was pleasant, I enjoyed every minute of it.” said Maria Zorra. “It brought back memories of my youth in Portugal.”
Williams was born in Kentucky and grew up in Southern Indiana. He graduated from Indian University School of Music were he received his degrees in music. While attending there he studied piano with Walter Robert and composition with Bernhard Heiden. He served in the 6th Armored Division Band. After teaching in Kansas he moved west in 1959 to Nevada, where he joined the music faculty of the University of Reno. He was a founding member of the Argenta Piano Trio.
“I was featured in two symphonies with the Carson City Symphony as a guest soloist.” Williams said. “I also had the pleasure of performing at the Governors Mansion.”
He’s received winning prizes in each category of the First International Gottschalks Concurso for Pianists and Composers. He has three times been named Nevada Composer of the Year. Some of Williams’ works include solo vocals, choral ensemble, two symphonies, two piano concertos, two one-act operas, chamber music, and extensive theater music. He performed at the Kennedy Center in New York and on Radio Zurich in Switzerland.
Williams is now retired and lives with his wife in Reno. He continues to perform for the community and teaches private music lessons.