"Preciosa" () is a 1937 patriotic composition by Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández Marín.Rafael Hernández Marín. Music of Puerto Rico. 2017. Accessed 10 February 2018.

History In 1937, Hernández Marin wrote "Preciosa", while in Mexico.Rafael Hernandez Marin. Retrieved 7 February 2014. Years later, in 1947, he returned to Puerto Rico and became orchestra director at the government-owned WIPR Radio.Hernandez Marin, Rafael. Music of Puerto Rico. Retrieved 7 February 2014. His music became an important part of Puerto Rican culture.History of Puerto Rico. Soy Boricua. Retrieved 7 February 2014. Hernandez formed Cuarteto Victoria (Victoria Quartet) with Pedro Ortiz Dávila, Rafael Rodríguez, and Francisco López Cruz with whom he recorded the song.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. 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.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.

Theme Preciosa expresses feelings of love and nostalgia for Puerto Rico. It is considered one of the unofficial National Anthems of Puerto RicoGlasser, 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. 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.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.

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 CaraParoles: Cecilia Cara, Preciosa. Retrieved 7 February 2014 Vicente Fernández Retrieved 7 February 2014 Rafael Hernandez MarinExitos de Oro de Puerto Rico. Rafael Hernandez. Orfeon/EMMI] Joe Valle. Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez. Fania Records. 2012.Lo Mejor de Rafael Hernandez Trio Los Andinos with Carmin Vega in "Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmin Vega". (2003, Disco Hit Productions)Los Andinos: Homenaje a Rafael Hernandez, con Carmín Vega Retrieved 13 February 2014. Trio Voces de Puerto RicoTrio Voces de Puerto Rico

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

See also

Puerto Rican Poetry List of Puerto Ricans List of songs about Puerto Rico

References