The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-09-01
MUSIC OF PORTO RlcANs.
xslandsra Are Very Musical and
There are Many Bands and
Organizations.


The Porto Rlcans have their ON
distinctive music. OF course, Il E
! similar to the Spanish, but still hsI
danza. as Il Is composed and pla.
here, Is quite distinct from any similar
4 form OF Spanish music II is difficult
70 describe, says a recent writer II Is
written In two-four time. and Amer
leans find Il makes a good slow two
step. But the rhythm is quite differ
ent. There Is no comparison between
this music and that OF lively rag
time two-step. In general, one meas
ur0 Is written with the first count to a
tripiet in the bass, and with two
eighth notes for the second; the sec-
ond measure Is in even tlme--four-
eighth notes--trebe and bass together
J or this type Is la Borlnquena,"
which is the islands national" song.
The original words written for the
song compare the island to a beautiful
Indian maiden. The song was written
by Felix Astol. spaniard. but Porto
Rican by adoption. at the opening OF
a rebellion in Cuba many years ago.
Some time later another verse was
writer, giving expression 10 Porto
Rico's dislike and dlsapproyal OF Spain
and also sympathy for Cuba. The
Spaniards here. at this. wrote their
own words to the music. which, as may
be imagined. were scarcely In praise OF
the Porto Rieans little later Spain
suppressed the song altogether and the
singing OF II was made a grave offense.
Later. since the American occupation,
the song has been arranged by 3, Du-
emo Colon. and Mr. Fernandez-Juleos.
poet and writer. has written some pa
triotic words TO II. These are the ones
now sung in the schools.
The DANA Is always written In the
effect OF the whole Is a very musical
minor melody that will bear so times
the repetition an ordinary popular song
in the States will bear DANA music
Is OF distinctly high order. That II Is
difficult any American Will admit who
has tried TO play IT, There is GER
tain swing and inimitable rhythm THAI
Is only TO be gained by great familiar
ity with the music. and the advantage
given in hearing Il played by native
Porto Rleans. To them II Is as simple
and as easy to understand as are any
OF our most popular coon" songs to
us, But the stranger who can read and
play a dauza successfully. as It was
meant 20 be played, Is rare indeed
The dance Tor which the music &.
written Is most graceful and especially
adapted 10 such warm climate. since
at regular intervals there is "paseo
or short promenade, to interrupt the
dancing.
Mostly the danzas are love songs. anC
those which have no words have suct
titles Some OF the pretties ones ar,
called ''ru y Yo" Chou and u. mi
Amores' (My Loves -Margarita. " p
Deseo" tThe WISH These are, viii
scarcely an exception. written by com
posers on this island The popular dan
zas which have been and are being sun,
and played with the same fervor tha
was awarded to Mr.. Dooley." are ealies
"El Cayman" (The Alligator) and "a
Nina No Tiene conformidad" fThe Cir
Who VIII Not conforml.
Next TO DANA. the most popular mu
sic here is . waltz. These are composed
mostly for dances and are played very
fast. indeed. so that Il Is uneomfortabl,
enough TO keen step The two-step. By
the way has been taken mp by the Porte
Rieans and occupies much space In ever,
dance programme.
|, To write OF musicians and musical or
ganizations throughout the island would
take too long The city OF San Juan Il
rich In snch talent Every young woman
takes music lessons. Her education II
considered incomplete without a faiI
I knowledge Of piano music and perhap,
some training in voice culture Many oi
the moei promising or more wealthy
, young women 90 abroad to finish theft
, muscal education. and the result is most
, gratifying TO every one.
The members OF the local bands are. ol
J course. Porto Rieans. and all show the
greatest enthusiasm for their occupation
The Insular Police band is under ths
; leadship OF Senor Francisco Verrar and
the Porto Rico Regiment band Il a.
, rected b. Senior luis R. Miranda The
regiment band plays on the plaza ever,
! Sunday night and the lnsular Police band
!, furnishes music to the promsnaders IN
; the same place on Wednesday nights
J The Boys Charity school has a band
. also, which is remarkable Itismade ~
: of boys ranging from u 70 IS years o.
: are They are drilled and directed b
{ Juan vinolo. and play with the skill ant
: nsascial training Of men.
r The island possesses many wander
, ine mlnstrels and trohadours-- at least
, the modern representatives, Of these TO
: mantle neures. The present day tron
: hadour In Porto Rico lacks much iha
: one holds IN ones lmaeination for thes'
s same individuals Of an olden time hn
there Is still something about him es
sentiailx the same