Rafael Hernndez Marn

Rafael Hernndez Marn

Rafael Hernndez

Rafael Hernndez (left) with brother Jesus, c.1917 during World War I Born October 24, 1892 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico December 11, 1965 (aged73) San Juan, Puerto Rico Puerto Rican Composer 1."Lamento Borincano" 2."Preciosa"

Died

Nationality Occupation

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

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

Early years
Hernndez (birth name: Rafael Hernndez Marn[2]) was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, into a poor family. As a child, he learned the craft of cigar making, from which he made a modest living. He also grew to love music and asked his parents to permit him to become a full-time music student. When he was 12 years old, Hernndez studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and Jess Figueroa. 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 life and the history of Puerto Rican music would change forever.[3] At the age of 14, he played for the Cocolia Orquestra. Hernndez moved to San Juan where he played for the municipal orchestra under the director Manuel Tizol.

World War I and the Orchestra Europe

In 1917, Hernndez was working as a musician in North Carolina, when the U.S. entered World War I. The Jazz bandleader James Reese Europe recruited brothers Rafael and Jess Hernndez, and 16 more Puerto Ricans to join the United States Army's Harlem Hell fighters musical band, the Orchestra Europe. He enlisted and was assigned to the 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 de Guerre for battlefield gallantry by the President of France.[4]

Rafael Hernndez Marn

Hernandez and Pedro Flores

After the war, Hernndez 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 Hernndez and Flores became and always remained good friends, they soon went their separate ways and artistically competed against each other. After the trio broke up, he formed a quartet called "Cuarteto Victoria" which included singer Myrta Silva, also known as La Guarachera and La Gorda de Oro. With both groups, Hernndez traveled and played his music all over the United States and Latin America.[5] On September 2, 1927, Hernndez' sister Victoria opens what is probably the first Puerto Rican-owned music store, which also acts as a booking agency and base of operations for her brother.[4] In 1929, Tro Borinquen recorded Linda Quisqueya (originally titled Linda Borinquen) and that same year he founded the "Cuarteto Victoria" (also known as "El Cuarteto Rico") named after his sister.[4] In 1932, Hernndez moved to Mexico, where the Mexicans treated him as one of their own. There, he directed an orchestra and enrolled in Mexico's National Music Conservatory to further enrich his musical knowledge. Hernndez also became an actor and organized many of the musical scores in Mexico's "golden age" of movies. The Mexicans of the state of Puebla consider his composition "Qu Chula es Puebla" to be their unofficial anthem. His wife (and eventual widow) was Mexican.[6]

"Lamento borincano" and "Preciosa"

External audio
You may listen to Luciano Quiones piano interpretation of Hernandez' "Lamento Borincano" here and to his interpretation of "Preciosa" here [8] [7]

In 1937, Hernndez wrote one of his greatest works, "Lamento borincano". That same year, he also wrote what is considered by many to be his masterpiece, "Preciosa". In 1947, Hernndez returned to Puerto Rico and became the director of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. He was also a musical advisor to the government-owned WIPR Radio.[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 his composition "Linda Quisqueya" their second national anthem.[5] Hernndez's works' include "Ahora seremos felices" (Now We Will Be Happy), "Campanitas de cristal" (Crystal Bells), "Capullito de Alhel", "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 "T no comprendes" (You Don't Understand), among 3,000 others. His music became an important part of the Puerto Rican Culture.[6]

Later years
Hernndez was Honorary President of the Authors and Composers Association. He was also the founder of little league baseball in Puerto Rico. President John F. Kennedy christened him "Mr. Cumbanchero".[3] Hernndez died in San Juan on December 11, 1965, shortly after Banco Popular de Puerto Rico produced a TV special in his honor in which he addressed the people for the last time. The special was simulcast on all TV and most island radio stations. The TV special was rebroadcast on May 13, 2007. Rafael Hernndez's remains are buried in the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery of Old San Juan.

Rafael Hernndez Marn

Legacy
Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming public buildings, avenues and schools after him. The airport in Aguadilla is named Rafael Hernndez Airport. There are schools in Bronx, N.Y., Boston, Mass., and in Newark, N.J. named after Rafael Hernndez. Renowned Puerto Rican Sculptor Tomas Batista created a statue of Hernndez which is in the municipality of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, the repository of his works, operates a small museum in his honor at its Metropolitan Campus in San Juan which is directed by his son, Alejandro (Chal) Hernndez. The impact of Hernandez's songs among Puerto Ricans was felt when Puerto Rican singer Marc Anthony recorded Hernndez'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 was directed by Ulises Solis.[11]

Military decorations and awards

Among Hernndez's military decorations are the following: French Croix de Guerre World War I Victory Medal

Notes
[1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Music of Puerto Rico (http:/ / www. musicofpuertorico. com/ index. php/ artists/ rafael_hernandez/ ) Rafael hernandez Puerto Rico's Soul (http:/ / www. encyclopedia. com/ doc/ 1G1-54927446. html) - The Great Slsa Timeline (http:/ / www. salsa-merengue. co. uk/ 4bohemians/ great_salsa_timeline. html) Hernandez Marin, Rafael (http:/ / www. musicofpuertorico. com/ index. php/ artists/ rafael_hernandez/ ) History of Puerto Rico (http:/ / www. solboricua. com/ history2. htm) http:/ / www. piano-bar. com/ pages/ lamento. htm http:/ / www. piano-bar. com/ pages/ preciosa. htm Berenguer Gonzlez, Ramn 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

Article Sources and Contributors

Rafael Hernndez Marn 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

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