Rafael Alers
Encyclopedia
Rafael Alers was a musician
, composer
, bandleader
and the first Puerto Rican
to compose the music score for a Hollywood feature film.
, to Don Ignacio Alers and Doña Anita Gerena. He received his primary and secondary education in his hometown. The love that he developed for the Puerto Rican Danzas
came about at a young age because of the influence which he received from his musically inclined family. He received his first musical instructions from the maestro Juan F. Acosta
. With Acosta he learned to play the Euphonium
, a wind instrument which is essential in the execution of the danza. He also learned to play the trombone
and tuba
.
, Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
and Angel Mislan
.
In 1933, Alers was the conductor of Carmelo Diaz Soler's Orchestra, which had a daily segment in a radio
program. Alers took charge of the orchestra upon the death of Diaz Soler and in 1935, he felt the inspiration to compose a danza. He composed, what was to become his greatest danza and named it "Violeta" and the following day he played it on the radio.
The public's acceptance and demand for the danza was so great that the radio station started a "Write the Lyrics to the Danza" contest. They were looking for the right lyrics to go with the musical melody of the danza. The lyrics written by Antonio Cruz Nieves, from the town of Cataño
, was selected as the winner. Alers married Catalina Roldan and had four sons (the eldest now deceased) and three daughters. "Violeta" which was the title of his danza, was officially dedicated to his youngest daughter.
which in 1946, included a young man by the name of Julito Rodriguez
, who would some day in the future become a renowned musician himself. Alers became the first Puerto Rican to compose the music score for a Hollywood movie, when he was hired for such a task for the 1956 movie "Crowded Paradise
", directed by Fred Pressburger. Many of his recordings were released in 1960, in a set of 3 volumes, titled "Rafael Alers: Danzas". Rafael Alers died on March 20, 1978 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
His compositions have been recorded by many artist, including the singer Julita Ross
. In 2003, a collection of Rafaels' recordings was released under the title: "Rafael Alers y su Orchestra, Danzas Vol.1".
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
and the first Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to compose the music score for a Hollywood feature film.
Early years
Alers was born Rafael Alers Gerena in the city of Aguadilla, Puerto RicoAguadilla, Puerto Rico
Aguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...
, to Don Ignacio Alers and Doña Anita Gerena. He received his primary and secondary education in his hometown. The love that he developed for the Puerto Rican Danzas
Music of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
came about at a young age because of the influence which he received from his musically inclined family. He received his first musical instructions from the maestro Juan F. Acosta
Juan F. Acosta
Juan F. Acosta was a noted Puerto Rican composer and music teacher.-Early years:Acosta, who came from a numerous family, was born and educated in the town of San Sebastián, Puerto Rico located on the western part of Puerto Rico. His parents, realizedg that their son was gifted with musical...
. With Acosta he learned to play the Euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
, a wind instrument which is essential in the execution of the danza. He also learned to play the trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
and tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
.
Musical career
Upon finishing his musical instruction, Alers went to play for various national and international bands and Symphony Orchestras. Eventually, he formed his own band and recorded the Puerto Rican danzas composed by Juan Morel CamposJuan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos , sometimes erroneously spelled Juan Morell Campos, was a Puerto Rican composer, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza to its highest level.-Early years:...
, Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez , was Puerto Rico's first renowned classical and danza composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers.-Early years:...
and Angel Mislan
Angel Mislan
Ángel Mislan , was a composer of Puerto Rican Danzas.-Early years:Mislan was born in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico where he was raised and educated. The small town is located in the western part of Puerto Rico. His father was a music teacher who gave private lessons on the use of musical instruments...
.
In 1933, Alers was the conductor of Carmelo Diaz Soler's Orchestra, which had a daily segment in a radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
program. Alers took charge of the orchestra upon the death of Diaz Soler and in 1935, he felt the inspiration to compose a danza. He composed, what was to become his greatest danza and named it "Violeta" and the following day he played it on the radio.
The public's acceptance and demand for the danza was so great that the radio station started a "Write the Lyrics to the Danza" contest. They were looking for the right lyrics to go with the musical melody of the danza. The lyrics written by Antonio Cruz Nieves, from the town of Cataño
Cataño, Puerto Rico
Cataño is a municipality located on northern coast of Puerto Rico bordering the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent to the north and east by San Juan; north of Bayamón and Guaynabo; east of Toa Baja and west of Guaynabo and is part of the San Juan Metropolitan Area. Cataño is spread over 7 wards and...
, was selected as the winner. Alers married Catalina Roldan and had four sons (the eldest now deceased) and three daughters. "Violeta" which was the title of his danza, was officially dedicated to his youngest daughter.
8 Danzones from Puerto Rico
One of the recordings by Rafael Alers was: 8 Danzones from Puerto Rico.- "Conversación" 3:12
- "Delia y Belén" 3:03
- "El Torbellino" 3:08
- "Estrella de Borinquen" 3:16
- "La BorinqueñaLa BorinqueñaLa Borinqueña is the official anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. After Puerto Rico became the "The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" in 1952, the first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marín, signed law #2 of July 24, 1952 that stated that the musical composition known as "La Borinqueña" was to...
" 2:27 - "No me toques" 3:17
- "Recuerdos" 3:15
- "Sara" 2:38
Later years
Alers was named conductor of the ROTC band of the University of Puerto RicoUniversity of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
which in 1946, included a young man by the name of Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodríguez born October 5, 1925 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, is a bolero singer, guitarist & composer.Rodriguez was acknowledged to be a child prodigy in music, becoming interested in this topic since his early childhood...
, who would some day in the future become a renowned musician himself. Alers became the first Puerto Rican to compose the music score for a Hollywood movie, when he was hired for such a task for the 1956 movie "Crowded Paradise
Crowded Paradise
Crowded Paradise is a 1956 film starring Hume Cronyn and Nancy Kelly. The movie was directed by Fred Pressburger.-Cast:*Hume Cronyn .... George Heath*Nancy Kelly .... Louise Heath*Frank Silvera .... Papa Diaz*Enid Rudd .... Felicia Diaz...
", directed by Fred Pressburger. Many of his recordings were released in 1960, in a set of 3 volumes, titled "Rafael Alers: Danzas". Rafael Alers died on March 20, 1978 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
His compositions have been recorded by many artist, including the singer Julita Ross
Julita Ross
Julita Ross was a singer of Puerto Rican danzas, also known as "The Great Lady of the Danzas".-Early years:...
. In 2003, a collection of Rafaels' recordings was released under the title: "Rafael Alers y su Orchestra, Danzas Vol.1".
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- French immigration to Puerto RicoFrench immigration to Puerto RicoThe French immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of the economic and political situations which occurred in various places such as Louisiana , Saint-Domingue and in Europe....