Juan Ríos Ovalle

Juan Ríos Ovalle[note 1] (1863–1928) was a Puerto Rican musician and composer of danzas. Among his most popular danzas are: Angelina, La Graciosita (The Little Funny One), Lluvia de Perlas (Rain of Pearls), Odalisca, and Teresa.

Juan Ríos Ovalle
Juan Ríos Ovalle, photo from ca. 1907
Background information
Born1863
OriginPonce, Puerto Rico
Died1928
Ponce, Puerto Rico
GenresDanza
Occupation(s)Composer, musician, orchestra director
InstrumentsClarinet
Years active1883–1928
LabelsRCA Victor

Early years

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1863 into a family of musicians,[1] Ríos Ovalle became a prolific clarinet musician and danza composer. He also composed aguinaldos, hymns, danzones and sacred music.[2] He did not possess a lot of formal education, yet had a natural talent for music.[3]

Professional career

Rios Ovalle was one of the few confidants of Juan Morel Campos, among whom was also musician Cosme Tizol. While not possessing the professional stature or scale of Morel Campos, he was nevertheless considered the unquestionable successor to him, in particular when it came to danzas. Some experts believe that had Rios Ovalle been exposed to greater music education, it is possible he would have climbed much higher yet in his impact as a musician and composer.[4]

Composer

He created over 50 musical compositions.[5] His danzas are characterized by their high lyrical character. Upon the untimely death of master Morel Campos in 1896, Ríos Ovalle succeeded him as the most prolific representative of Ponce's danza tradition.[6] He authored various well known compositions, including "Angelina", "Teresa", "Rain of pearls", "Odalisque" and "La Graciosita".[7]

Musicican

Ríos Ovalle fine tuned his musical skills in the Juan Morel Campos's Orchestra, where he played first clarinet. His name became well known in Puerto Rico as well as among musicians and composers internationally.[8]

Orchestra director

In addition to his clarinet and composer skills, he was an outstanding orchestra director.[9] His danzas are arrhythmic and his Orchestra used the güiro as the only percussion instrument.[10]

Recordings

He recorded with RCA Victor Records in 1917 and 1921. Some of his recording were with the Paco Tizol Orchestra.[11]

Delicias sextet

For many years Rios Ovalle has a sextet that performed at the famed Teatro Fox Delicias. Its job was to provide a musical background for the soundless movies of the early 20th century played there. His sextet would have a preview of the soundless movie prior to its premiere showing and they would practice for hours several nights before the movie's opening night. Renown pianist Antonia "Toñita" Príncipe ("the Princess of the keyboard") would provide coverage in the piano. In addition to soundless movies, Rios Ovalle sextet also interpreted arias for local operas voices including Aida, Lucia y Casta Susana.[12]

Compositions

The following is a list of some of Rios Ovalle's danzas:[13]

  • Angelina
  • Teresa
  • Lluvia de Perlas (Rain of Pearls)
  • Odalisca
  • La Graciosita (The Little Funny One)

Later years

He died in Ponce in 1928.

Legacy

See also

Notes
  1. In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ríos and the second or maternal family name is Ovalle.

References
  1. Juan Ríos Ovalle. Music of Puerto Rico. 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. Juan Ríos Ovalle. La Danza Puertorriquena: El Hogar de la Danza Puertorriqueña. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  6. Biography of Juan Ríos Ovalle (1863–1928). The Biography.com 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  7. Biography of Juan Ríos Ovalle (1863–1928). The Biography.com 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  8. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  9. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  10. Biography of Juan Ríos Ovalle (1863–1928). The Biography.com 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  11. Juan Ríos Ovalle (composer). Discography of American Historical Recordings. University of California at Santa Barbara Library. Packard Humanities Institute. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  12. De vuelta al cine mudo y el legado del ponceño Juan Ríos Ovalle. Néstor Murray-Irizarry. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 February 2018. Year 35. Issue 1786. Pages 10–11. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  13. Juan Ríos Ovalle. La Danza Puertorriquena: El Hogar de la Danza Puertorriqueña. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
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