Miguel Angel Sandoval Cabrera (3 November 1902 – 24 August 1953), was a Guatemalan-born American pianist, conductor and composer.
He had access to a home piano, which he began playing when he was age 10, the church harmonium, and two phonographs owned by wealthy members of the community.
As a young boy, he was fascinated by the military bands and marimba orchestras who played on national holidays and feast days.
Sandoval stayed at St. John's for two years, briefly returned to Guatemala City, and then traveled on a steamer to the United States.
[5] On September 26, 1926, Sandoval made his debut as a U.S. concert artist in an appearance with Carmen Ponselle at City Hall in Meriden, Connecticut.
These musicians included: Lawrence Tibbett, Gloria Swanson, Dorothy Kirsten, Licia Albanese, Giovanni Martinelli, Leonard Warren, Grace Moore, Rosa Ponselle, Ezio Pinza, and Bidu Sayão.
Eres Tú was recorded on an RCA Victor label, along with Sandoval's arrangement of a tango in D by Albéniz, called Quisiera Olvidar Tus Ojos.
Cozzi became Sandoval's strongest support, as she traveled with him, safeguarded his manuscripts, and encouraged him through the difficulties of the Great Depression.
The two toured together throughout the United States and Canada, performing Sandoval's compositions, including Papillon, Cuban Dance, and Tarantelle.
He composed Delusione for the movie Here’s to Romance and the score for the film Gay Desperado, in which he also appeared on screen as an orchestra leader.
Meanwhile, Sandoval kept busy in the Eastern United States as well, arranging special operatic adaptations for the New York radio station, WOR.
[8][9] Additionally, Sandoval composed numerous popular songs, which were performed by the Pan American Orchestra and the Orquesta Tipica.
In 1946, he returned to Guatemala with his family and discovered that his childhood friend, Juan José Arevalo had been inaugurated president the year before.
Performances for these new organizations were scheduled in June, July, and August, and this enabled them to attract many talented U.S. artists, as the summer months were slower in the U.S. music industry.
In 1949, Sandoval signed a contract with the National Concert Artists Corporation of New York and return to the United States in 1951.
On July 21, 1953, Sandoval suffered a severe heart attack while conducting a rehearsal of his Danza del Contrabandista in Lewisohn Stadium Orchestra.