Preciosa (song) explained

"Preciosa" (en|Precious) is a 1937 patriotic composition by Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández Marín.^[2]

History

In 1937, Hernández Marin wrote "Preciosa", while in Mexico.^[3] Years later, in 1947, he returned to Puerto Rico and became orchestra director at the government-owned WIPR Radio.^[4] His music became an important part of Puerto Rican culture.^[5] Hernandez formed Cuarteto Victoria (Victoria Quartet) with Pedro Ortiz Dávila, Rafael Rodríguez, and Francisco López Cruz with whom he recorded the song.^[6] A Puerto Rican group led by Manuel A. Jiménez (“Canario”) recorded Hernández's Preciosa, which, together with Lamento Borincano became unofficial national anthems of Puerto Rico.^[7]

Theme

Preciosa expresses feelings of love and nostalgia for Puerto Rico. It is considered one of the unofficial National Anthems of Puerto Rico^[8] The work includes a celebration of the three historical sociological traits that Puerto Ricans attribute to making their current culture and nationalism; the blend of Spanish, African and Taino. The song makes reference to a tyrant who mistreats Puerto Rico and the song became an expression of autonomist patriotism. However, all Puerto Ricans, regardless of their personal beliefs towards the political status of the island, celebrate when hearing the song.^[9]

Recordings

Following is a partial listing of recordings of the song by artists, alphabetically (incomplete).

• Marc Anthony Romance Del Cumbanchero – La Musica de Rafael Hernández. Banco Popular. 1998.^[10]
• Cécilia Cara^[11]
• Vicente Fernández^[12]
• Rafael Hernandez Marin^[13]
• Joe Valle. Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez. Fania Records. 2012.^[14]
• Trio Los Andinos with Carmin Vega in "Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmin Vega". (2003, Disco Hit Productions)^[15]
• Trio Voces de Puerto Rico^[16]

• Joselito En la pelicula Joselito vagabundo AKA "El Falso Heredero"

Notes and References

1. Exitos de Oro de Puerto Rico. Rafael Hernandez. Orfeon/EMMI.
2. http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/artistas/rafael_hernandez/ Rafael Hernández Marín.
3. http://www.enciclopediapr.org/ing/article.cfm?ref=10031702&highlight=%2Bpreciosa Rafael Hernandez Marin.
4. http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/artists/rafael_hernandez/ Hernandez Marin, Rafael.
5. http://www.solboricua.com/history2.htm History of Puerto Rico.
6. Ayala, César J. and Rafael Bernabe. Puerto Rico in the American Century: A History Since 1898. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2007. pp. 163-67.
7. Ayala, César J. and Rafael Bernabe. Puerto Rico in the American Century: A History Since 1898. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2007. pp. 163-67.
8. Glasser, Ruth. My Music is My Flag: Puerto Rican Musicians and Their New York Communities, 1917-1940. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1995. p. 2.
9. Ayala, César J. and Rafael Bernabe. Puerto Rico in the American Century: a History Since 1898. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2007. pp. 132.
10. Web site: Romance Del Cumbanchero – La Musica de Rafael Hernández. Amazon . October 8, 2011.
11. http://www.parolesmania.com/paroles_cecilia_cara_16483/paroles_preciosa_puerto_rico_1515127.html Paroles: Cecilia Cara, Preciosa.
12. Retrieved 7 February 2014
13. Exitos de Oro de Puerto Rico. Rafael Hernandez. Orfeon/EMMI
14. http://www.last.fm/music/Joe+Valle/Lo+Mejor+de+Rafael+Hern%C3%A1ndez Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez
15. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Los-Andinos-Carmin-Vega-Trio-Los-Andinos-Rafael-Hernandez-CD-Puerto-Rico-2003-/140878416335?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item20cd0209cf Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmín Vega
16. https://www.amazon.com/Preciosa/dp/B002SI63FS&ei=KCb1Ur7CLcXKsQTp4ILQDQ&usg=AFQjCNENrGTQ0uyPLKWTTs7kzXucVly-mQ Trio Voces de Puerto Rico