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"Preciosa" (English: Precious) is a 1937 patriotic composition by Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández Marín.

History

In 1937, Hernández Marin wrote "Preciosa", while in Mexico. 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 became unofficial national anthems of Puerto Rico.

Theme

Preciosa expresses feelings of love and nostalgia for Puerto Rico. 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

External audio
You may listen to Luciano Quiñones piano interpretation of Hernandez Marin's "Preciosa" here

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
• Vicente Fernández
• Rafael Hernandez Marin
• Joe Valle. Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez. Fania Records. 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

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

References

1. Exitos de Oro de Puerto Rico. Rafael Hernandez. Orfeon/EMMI.]
2. Rafael Hernández Marín. Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura Popular. San Juan, Puerto Rico 2018. Accessed 10 February 2018.
3. Rafael Hernández Marín. Music of Puerto Rico. 2017. Accessed 10 February 2018.
4. Rafael Hernandez Marin. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
5. Hernandez Marin, Rafael. Music of Puerto Rico. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
6. History of Puerto Rico. Archived 2014-05-15 at the Wayback Machine Soy Boricua. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
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. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. "Romance Del Cumbanchero – La Musica de Rafael Hernández". Amazon. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
12. Paroles: Cecilia Cara, Preciosa. Retrieved 7 February 2014
13. Vicente Fernández: Preciosa. on YouTube Retrieved 7 February 2014
14. Exitos de Oro de Puerto Rico. Rafael Hernandez. Orfeon/EMMI]
15. Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez
16. Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmín Vega Retrieved 13 February 2014.
17. Trio Voces de Puerto Rico

• 1937 songs
• Songs about Puerto Rico
• Songs in Spanish
• North American anthems
• Boleros