Rafael Hernández Marín 1

Rafael Hernández Marín

Rafael Hernández

Rafael Hernández (left) with brother Jesus, c.1917 during World War IBorn October 24, 1892

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Died December 11, 1965 (aged 73)San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nationality Puerto Rican

Occupation Composer1."Lamento Borincano"2."Preciosa"

Notes

During World War I Hernández served in the "The Harlem Hell Fighters"

Rafael Hernández (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), was one of the most important composers of PuertoRican popular music during the 20th century.[1]

Early yearsHernández (birth name: Rafael Hernández Marín[2]) was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, into a poorfamily. As a child, he learned the craft of cigar making, from which he made a modest living. He also grew to lovemusic and asked his parents to permit him to become a full-time music student. When he was 12 years old,Hernández studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and JesúsFigueroa. He learned to play many musical instruments, among them the clarinet, tuba, violin, piano and guitar.However, according to many Puerto Rican music historians, it was when he learned how to write music that his lifeand the history of Puerto Rican music would change forever.[3] At the age of 14, he played for the Cocolia Orquestra.Hernández moved to San Juan where he played for the municipal orchestra under the director Manuel Tizol.

World War I and the Orchestra EuropeIn 1917, Hernández was working as a musician in North Carolina, when the U.S. entered World War I. The Jazzbandleader James Reese Europe recruited brothers Rafael and Jesús Hernández, and 16 more Puerto Ricans to jointhe United States Army's Harlem Hell fighters musical band, the Orchestra Europe. He enlisted and was assigned tothe U.S. 369th Infantry Regiment (formerly known as the 15th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard,created in New York City June 2, 1913). The regiment, nicknamed "The Harlem Hell Fighters" by the Germans,served in France. Hernandez toured Europe with the Orchestra Europe. The 369th was awarded French Croix deGuerre for battlefield gallantry by the President of France.[4]

Rafael Hernández Marín 2

Hernandez and Pedro FloresAfter the war, Hernández moved to New York City. In the 1920s, he started writing songs and organized a trio called"Trio Borincano". In 1926, fellow Puerto Rican Pedro Flores joined the Trio. Even though Hernández and Floresbecame and always remained good friends, they soon went their separate ways and artistically competed against eachother. After the trio broke up, he formed a quartet called "Cuarteto Victoria" which included singer Myrta Silva, alsoknown as La Guarachera and La Gorda de Oro. With both groups, Hernández traveled and played his music all overthe United States and Latin America.[5] On September 2, 1927, Hernández' sister Victoria opens what is probably thefirst Puerto Rican-owned music store, which also acts as a booking agency and base of operations for her brother.[4]

In 1929, Trío Borinquen recorded Linda Quisqueya (originally titled Linda Borinquen) and that same year hefounded the "Cuarteto Victoria" (also known as "El Cuarteto Rico") named after his sister.[4]

In 1932, Hernández moved to Mexico, where the Mexicans treated him as one of their own. There, he directed anorchestra and enrolled in Mexico's National Music Conservatory to further enrich his musical knowledge. Hernándezalso became an actor and organized many of the musical scores in Mexico's "golden age" of movies. The Mexicansof the state of Puebla consider his composition "Qué Chula es Puebla" to be their unofficial anthem. His wife (andeventual widow) was Mexican.[6]

"Lamento borincano" and "Preciosa"

External audioYou may listen to Luciano Quiñones piano interpretation of Hernandez' "Lamento Borincano" here [7]

and to his interpretation of "Preciosa" here [8]

In 1937, Hernández wrote one of his greatest works, "Lamento borincano". That same year, he also wrote what isconsidered by many to be his masterpiece, "Preciosa". In 1947, Hernández returned to Puerto Rico and became thedirector of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. He was also a musical advisor to the government-owned WIPRRadio.[5]

Hernandez's talent went beyond composing only patriotic music. He also composed Christmas music, Danzas,Zarzuelas, Guarachas, Lullabies, Boleros, Waltzes and more. Many people in the Dominican Republic consider hiscomposition "Linda Quisqueya" their second national anthem.[5]

Hernández's works' include "Ahora seremos felices" (Now We Will Be Happy), "Campanitas de cristal" (CrystalBells), "Capullito de Alhelí", "Culpable" (Guilty),"El Cumbanchero"[9] (also known as "Rockfort Rock" or"Comanchero" (sic) to reggae aficionados), "Ese soy yo" (That's Me), "Perfume de Gardenias" (Gardenia Perfume),"Silencio" (Silence), and "Tú no comprendes" (You Don't Understand), among 3,000 others. His music became animportant part of the Puerto Rican Culture.[6]

Later yearsHernández was Honorary President of the Authors and Composers Association. He was also the founder of littleleague baseball in Puerto Rico. President John F. Kennedy christened him "Mr. Cumbanchero".[3]

Hernández died in San Juan on December 11, 1965, shortly after Banco Popular de Puerto Rico produced a TVspecial in his honor in which he addressed the people for the last time. The special was simulcast on all TV and mostisland radio stations. The TV special was rebroadcast on May 13, 2007. Rafael Hernández's remains are buried in theSanta Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery of Old San Juan.

Rafael Hernández Marín 3

LegacyPuerto Rico has honored his memory by naming public buildings, avenues and schools after him. The airport inAguadilla is named Rafael Hernández Airport. There are schools in Bronx, N.Y., Boston, Mass., and in Newark, N.J.named after Rafael Hernández. Renowned Puerto Rican Sculptor Tomas Batista created a statue of Hernández whichis in the municipality of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, the repository of hisworks, operates a small museum in his honor at its Metropolitan Campus in San Juan which is directed by his son,Alejandro (Chalí) Hernández.The impact of Hernandez's songs among Puerto Ricans was felt when Puerto Rican singer Marc Anthony recordedHernández's "Preciosa" and sang said song in a 2005 concert in New York City's Madison Square Garden.According to an article in the New York Times:

"Mr. Anthony did his version of Preciosa. It may have been the night's most popular love song,precisely because it's not about a woman: it's about a whole island, instead."[10]

In 1969, Puerto Rican singer and actor Bobby Capo played Hernandez in the bio-pic "El Jibarito Rafael", which wasdirected by Ulises Solis.[11]

Military decorations and awardsAmong Hernández's military decorations are the following:•   French Croix de Guerre•   World War I Victory Medal

Notes[1] Music of Puerto Rico (http:/ / www. musicofpuertorico. com/ index. php/ artists/ rafael_hernandez/ )[3] Rafael hernandez Puerto Rico's Soul (http:/ / www. encyclopedia. com/ doc/ 1G1-54927446. html)[4] - The Great Slsa Timeline (http:/ / www. salsa-merengue. co. uk/ 4bohemians/ great_salsa_timeline. html)[5] Hernandez Marin, Rafael (http:/ / www. musicofpuertorico. com/ index. php/ artists/ rafael_hernandez/ )[6] History of Puerto Rico (http:/ / www. solboricua. com/ history2. htm)[7] http:/ / www. piano-bar. com/ pages/ lamento. htm[8] http:/ / www. piano-bar. com/ pages/ preciosa. htm[9] Berenguer González, Ramón T. "El Cumbanchero" Salsa Mp3· (http:/ / soundclick. com/ share?songid=6106261) ISWC T-0425394622

Published with the permission of the owner of the version[10] New York Times (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2005/ 09/ 12/ arts/ music/ 12marc. html); Latin Singers who Offer 3 Varieties of Heartthrob;

by Klefa Sanneh; Published September 12, 2005[11] http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0282638/

References

External links• Popular Culture (http:/ / www. prpop. org/ biografias/ PR)• DVD La Musica de Rafael Hernandez (BPPR 1965) (http:/ / www. musicaboricua. com/ Merchant2/ merchant.

mvc?Screen=PROD& Store_Code=MB& Product_Code=BPPR-1965dvd)• Legran Orchestra "El Cumbanchero" Salsa Mp3· (http:/ / soundclick. com/ share?songid=6106261) ISWC

T-0425394622

Article Sources and Contributors 4

Article Sources and ContributorsRafael Hernández Marín  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=477150009  Contributors: Alai, AntonioMartin, AzaToth, CLW, Cburnett, Cerejota, CommonsDelinker, D6,DBlomgren, Damiens.rf, Dcabrilo, Demf, Entre-Nos, Everyking, GcSwRhIc, Gene Nygaard, Hajor, Hmains, JaGa, Jguad1, Joelr31, Klemen Kocjancic, Kumioko, Lairor, Legran, LilHelpa, Lotje,Marine 69-71, Middayexpress, Mlaffs, Montgomerye, Mrblondnyc, Mtmelendez, Nobunaga24, PhilKnight, Quadell, Quazgaa, RemoTheDog, Rich Farmbrough, S, Suso de la Vega, Tabletop,TheLeopard, Timrollpickering, Tumbler1624, Whitejay251, Who, Zenitram82, 41 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:R h.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:R_h.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: UnknownImage:Nuvola apps arts.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuvola_apps_arts.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike  Contributors: Manco CapacFile:Ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914-1918.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ruban_de_la_Croix_de_guerre_1914-1918.png  License: Public Domain Contributors: Wiki RomiFile:World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:World_War_I_Victory_Medal_ribbon.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:Ipankonin

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