Rafael Hernández Marín

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For other uses of the name Rafael Hernández, see Rafael Hernández (disambiguation).

Rafael Hernández Marín (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, is considered by many to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music.

Rafael Hernández

Hernández was born 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, Hernández studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and Jesús 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. 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.

Rafael Hernández (left) with nephew, c.1917 during WWI

In 1917, Rafael Hernández was working as a musician in North Carolina, when the U.S. entered World War I. He enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 396th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rico which was created in New York. The regiment, also known as "The Harlem Hell fighters" by the Germans, served in France. There, he toured Europe with the "Orchestra Europe".

After 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 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, Hernández traveled and played his music all over the United States, Latin America, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

In 1932, Hernández moved to Mexico, where the Mexicans treated him as one of their own. There, he directed an orchesta and enrolled in Mexico's National Music Conservatory to further enrich his musical knowledge. Hernández 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 "Qué Chula es Puebla" to be their unofficial anthem. His wife (and eventual widow) was Mexican.

In 1937, Hernández 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, Hernández returned to Puerto Rico and became the director of the Puerto Rican Symphony Orquestra. He was also a musical advisor to the government-owned WIPR Radio.

Rafael Hernandez's talent went beyond composing only patriotic music. He also composed Christmas music, Danzas, Zarzuelas, Guarachas, Boleros, Waltzes and etcetera. Many people in the Dominican Republic consider his composition "Linda Quisqueya" their second national anthem.

Hernández's works' include "Ahora Somos Felices" (Now we are happy), "Campanitas de Cristal" (Crystal Bells), "Capullito de Aleli", "Culpable" (Guilty), "El Cumbanchero", "Ese Soy Yo" (That's Me), "Perfume de Gardenias", "Silencio", and "Tu No Comprendes" (You Don't Understand), among 3,000 others. His music became an important part of the Puerto Rican Culture.

Hernández 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".

Rafael Hernández died in San Juan on December 11, 1965. His remains are buried in the St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzis Cemetery of Old San Juan. Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming public buildings, avenues and schools after him. The airport in Aguadilla is named Rafael Hernández Airport. There are schools in Boston, Mass. and in Newark, N.J. named after Rafael Hernández. Renowned Puerto Rican Sculptor Tomas Batista created a statue of Hernández which is in the municipality of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.