Puerto Rican——Rafael Hernandez

Rafael Hernandez (1891-1965):

(b Aguadilla, 1891; d San Juan, 1965). Puerto Rican composer, bandleader and instrumentalist. Born into a humble musical family, he and his siblings Victoria and Jesús were skilled multi-instrumentalists. During World War I, Hernández played in the Hellfighter's Infantry Band of James Reese Europe. Later, he established the trend for guitar-based trios and quartets among New York Puerto Ricans in the 1920s and 30s, founding the Trio Borinquén (1926) and the Cuarteto Victoria (1932). In the period 1932–47 Hernández lived in Mexico, continuing to compose and also conducting radio and dance orchestras, between frequent visits to New York and back to Puerto Rico. He returned permanently to Puerto Rico in 1947, remaining active as a composer and bandleader until his death.

Revered as Puerto Rico's greatest and most prolific popular composer, Hernández is said to have written over 3000 songs. He is best known for Lamento Borincano (1930), a bolero which became an anthem for Puerto Ricans. Hernández composed sophisticated songs in a semi-classical vein, reflecting his extensive training and conservatory background. Focussing on romantic and poetic themes, his compositions feature complex melodic lines, contrapuntal vocal parts and frequent major–minor tonal shifts.

Discography (Most known)

·         “Qué Chula es Puebla” How Beautiful is Puebla, the unofficial anthem of the Puebla state 1932 ).

·         “Linda Quisqueya,” another national anthem.
Perfume de Gardenias,” (most recently heard by the late Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer, but also by idiosyncratic Ranchera and jazz Mexican singer Lila Downs),

·         “Silencio” (Silence),

·         “Lamento Borincano” (Puerto Rican Lament),

·         “Preciosa” (Precious, a love song to his homeland),

·         “Ahora seremos felices” (Now We Will Be Happy),

·         “Campanitas de Cristal” (Crystal Bells),

·         “Capullito de Alhelí,”

·         “Culpable” (Guilty),”

·         El Cumbanchero” (The Fun Guy),

·         “Ese soy yo” (That’s Me),  

·         “Tú no comprendes” (You Don’t Understand).

Thanks for Aurelio Cunha' s work.

Photos by Angelica Bautista.