Angel Mislan

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Angel Mislan (March 1, 1862-February 1, 1911), born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico - composer.

Angel Mislan

Mislan was a famous composer of Puerto Rican danzas. He was born Angel Mislan Huertas and was raised and educated in the town of San Sebastian, a small town located in the western part of Puerto Rico. His father was a music teacher who gave private lessons on the use of musical instruments. Mislan learned from his father how to play the clarinet and the euphonium (the latter is essential in the performance of Puerto Rican danzas). When he was very young he went to Spain to further his musical training by learning composition and harmony.

In 1886, when Mislan was 24 years old, he returned to Puerto Rico and settled down in Arecibo. There he joined the Military Band of the Third Battalion of Volunteers; eventually, he became the director of that band. During this period he wrote his two best known danza compositions, "Sara" and "Tu y Yo" (You and I). His style differed from that of Manuel Gregorio Tavarez and Juan Morel Campos in that his danzas were typically shorter and humorous.

In 1898, Mislan returned to his hometown, where he became the director of the Municipal Band. This was an important position, held in high regard by the society of the time. In 1906, he met an up-and-coming young musician by the name of Juan F. Acosta and took him under his "wing". The older performer taught Acosta music composition and harmony and, when Mislan moved from San Sebastian to the town of Barceloneta, he recommended that Acosta replace him as the new director of the San Sebastian Municipal Band.

Besides writing danzas, Mislan also wrote Puerto Rican folk music, waltzes and marches. Most of his works are safeguarded in the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.

Angel Mislan died in the town of Barceloneta on February 1, 1911.

In 1948, Puerto Rican singer Julita Ross recorded the danzas of Angel Mislan. The City of San Sebastian honored Mislan's memory by naming a school after him and by placing a "bust" of his image in the center of its plaza.