"Preciosa" ( en, Precious) is a 1937 patriotic composition by Puerto Rican composer

Rafael Hernández Marín Rafael Hernández Marín (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965) was a Puerto Rican songwriter, author of hundreds of popular songs in the Latin American repertoire. He specialized in Puerto Rican styles such as the canción, bolero and guarach ...

History

In 1937, Hernández Marin wrote "Preciosa", while in

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

. Years later, in 1947, he returned to Puerto Rico and became orchestra director at the government-owned WIPR Radio. His music became an important part of Puerto Rican culture. Hernandez formed Cuarteto Victoria (Victoria Quartet) with Pedro Ortiz Dávila, Rafael Rodríguez, and Francisco López Cruz with whom he recorded the song. A Puerto Rican group led by Manuel A. Jiménez (“Canario”) recorded Hernández's Preciosa, which, together with

Lamento Borincano "Lamento Borincano" ('Puerto Rican Lament') is Rafael Hernández Marín's acclaimed composition in Puerto Rico's patriotic tradition. It takes its name from the free musical form Lament (Latin, ''lāmentor''), and from Borinquen, an indigenous n ...

became unofficial national anthems of Puerto Rico.

Theme

Preciosa expresses feelings of love and nostalgia for

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...

. It is considered one of the unofficial National Anthems of Puerto Rico 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.

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. *

Cécilia Cara Cécilia Cara (born 5 June 1984) is a French actress and singer. She is best known for playing the role of Juliet in the French musical "''Romeo and Juliet''". Early life Cécilia was born in Cannes, on the French Riviera. Cécilia started l ...

Vicente Fernández Vicente Fernández Gómez (17 February 1940 – 12 December 2021) was a Mexican singer, songwriter, actor, and film producer. Nicknamed "Chente" (short for Vicente), "El Charro de Huentitán" (The Charro from Huentitán), "El Ídolo de México ...

Rafael Hernandez Marin Rafael may refer to: * Rafael (given name) or Raphael, a name of Hebrew origin * Rafael, California * Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israeli manufacturer of weapons and military technology * Hurricane Rafael, a 2012 hurricane Fiction * ''R ...

* Joe Valle. ''Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez.''

Fania Records Fania Records is a New York–based record label founded by Dominican-born composer and bandleader Johnny Pacheco and his Brooklyn-born Italian-American ex-New York City Police Officer turned lawyer Jerry Masucci in 1964. The label took its nam ...

. 2012. * Trio Los Andinos with Carmin Vega in "Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmin Vega". (2003, Disco Hit Productions) * Trio Voces de Puerto Rico''Trio Voces de Puerto Rico''
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Joselito Joselito is the name for: ;First name / given name * Joselito (singer), Spanish 1950s child actor and singer *Joselito Agustin (1976–2010), also known as Aksyon Lito, Filipino journalist * Joselito Altarejos, Filipino film and television directo ...

En la pelicula Joselito vagabundo AKA "El Falso Heredero"

References

{{reflist, 2 1937 songs Songs about Puerto Rico Spanish-language songs North American anthems Boleros