Rafael Hernandez
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Rafael Hernandez (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), who was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was a composer who is considered by many to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music.
Hernandez was born into a poor family. As a child, he learned the craft of cigar making, from which he made a modest living.
As a youngster, he grew to love music and asked his parents to permit him to become a full-time music student. When he was 12 years old, Hernandez studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and Jesus 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 that the history of Puerto Rican music would change forever. At the age of 14, he played for the Cocolia Orquestra. Hernandez moved to San Juan where he played for the municipal orquestra under the director Manuel Tizol.
In 1917, Rafael Hernandez was working as a musician in North Carolina, when the U.S. entered WWI. He enlisted in the Army and served in France. There, he toured Europe with the "Orquestra Europe".
After the war, Hernandez moved to New York. 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 Hernandez 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". With both groups, Hernandez traveled and played his music all over the United States, Latin America, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
In 1932, Hernandez moved to Mexico, where the Mexicans treated him as one of their own. He directed an orquestra there and enrolled in Mexico's National Music Conservatory, to further enrich his musical knowledge. Hernandez 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.
In 1937, Hernandez wrote one of his greatest works, "El Lamento Borincano". He also wrote what is considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece, "Preciosa".
In 1947, Hernandez returned to Puerto Rico and became the director of the Puerto Rican Symphonic Orquestra. He was also a musical advisor to the government owned radio station, 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.
Hernandez's works' include "Ahora Somos Felices", "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.
Hernandez 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 baptized him "Mr. Cumbanchero"
Rafael Hernandez died in the City of San Juan on December 11, 1965. His remains are buried in the National Cementery 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 Hernandez Airport. There are schools in Boston, Mass. and in Newark, N.J. named after Rafael Hernandez. Renowned Puerto Rican Sculptor Tomas Batista created a statue of Hernandez which is in the City of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.