Juan Morel Campos
Encyclopedia
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.
, to Manuel Morel Araujo and Juana de Dios Campos Collazo. He began to study music at the young age of eight in his hometown under the guidance of Antonio Egipciaco. Morel Campos learned to play practically every brass instrument
and eventually became one of the founders and directors of the "Ponce Firemen's Band" (La Banda de Bomberos del Parque de Bombas
de Ponce). The legendary Band was later renamed the Ponce Municipal Band
.
, "The Father of the Danza". Campos' first danza
composition was called "Sopapos". The influence of Tavarez, plus the particular style developed by Morel Campos can be listened to in his music today.
Morel Campos had his own dance orchestra, "La Lira Ponceña" and therefore most of danzas his were written for dancing. He modified his compositions so that they may also be played on piano. Morel Campos is mostly known for his danza compositions even though he also composed Waltz
es, Symphonies, Marches
and Overture
s. Women and the theme of love, were the factors which served as his inspiration for most of his musical compositions. His great love was a lady named Mercedes Arias, but her family did not approve of their relationship.
His great love was a lady named Mercedes Arias, but her family did not approve of their relationship. It was from that frustrated "love" that many of Morel Campos' beautiful danzas were born, "Maldito Amor" (Damned Love) is an example. Among his best known compositions are "Felices Dias' (Happy Days), "No Me Toques" (Do Not Touch Me), "Idilio" and "Maldito Amor" (Damned Love).
Juan Morel Campos suffered a stroke
on April 26, 1896 during a concert in Ponce. He died of the stroke soon thereafter on May 16, in the City of Ponce. In December, 1926, his mortal remains were deposited at the foot of his statue in Plaza Las Delicias. His wife was Secundina Beltrán Collazo. Their children were Olimpia, Eugenia, Belén, Plácido and Manuel.
. There is a Juan Morel Campos Secondary School in Brooklyn, New York and a Jr. High School in Ponce. There is a Juan Morel Campos statue in the Plaza Las Delicias
in Ponce. There is a housing development, also in Ponce, named after Morel Campos. On May 23, 1984, the Government of Puerto Rico declared May 16 of every year to be celebrated as "Juan Morel Campos Day" and that November 23 be known as "The Day of the Composer". In 2001, Morel Campos was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame
. His nephew Pedro Albizu Campos
went on to become a famous political leader. Domingo Cruz "Cocolia"
became director of the Firefighters' Band upon the untimely death of Morel Campos. In his native Ponce, he is recognized at the Ponce Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
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...
, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza
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...
to its highest level.
Early years
Campos (birth name: Juan Nepomuceno Morel Campos) was born in Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, to Manuel Morel Araujo and Juana de Dios Campos Collazo. He began to study music at the young age of eight in his hometown under the guidance of Antonio Egipciaco. Morel Campos learned to play practically every brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
and eventually became one of the founders and directors of the "Ponce Firemen's Band" (La Banda de Bomberos del Parque de Bombas
Parque de Bombas
Parque de Bombas is a historic firehouse building in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is one of Puerto Rico's most notable buildings, with some considering it "by far the most easily recognized landmark in the Island". It is located at the Plaza Las Delicias town square, directly behind the Ponce Cathedral...
de Ponce). The legendary Band was later renamed the Ponce Municipal Band
Ponce Municipal Band
The Ponce Municipal Band is the municipal band of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The band is the oldest continuously-performing band in the Caribbean. It has performed its open-air concerts for over 125 years. The current director is Rubén Colón Tarrats...
.
First composition
Later, Morel Campos became a student of the composer Manuel Gregorio TavarezManuel 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:...
, "The Father of the Danza". Campos' first danza
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...
composition was called "Sopapos". The influence of Tavarez, plus the particular style developed by Morel Campos can be listened to in his music today.
Morel Campos had his own dance orchestra, "La Lira Ponceña" and therefore most of danzas his were written for dancing. He modified his compositions so that they may also be played on piano. Morel Campos is mostly known for his danza compositions even though he also composed Waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
es, Symphonies, Marches
Marches
A march or mark refers to a border region similar to a frontier, such as the Welsh Marches, the borderland between England and Wales. During the Frankish Carolingian Dynasty, the word spread throughout Europe....
and Overture
Overture
Overture in music is the term originally applied to the instrumental introduction to an opera...
s. Women and the theme of love, were the factors which served as his inspiration for most of his musical compositions. His great love was a lady named Mercedes Arias, but her family did not approve of their relationship.
His great love was a lady named Mercedes Arias, but her family did not approve of their relationship. It was from that frustrated "love" that many of Morel Campos' beautiful danzas were born, "Maldito Amor" (Damned Love) is an example. Among his best known compositions are "Felices Dias' (Happy Days), "No Me Toques" (Do Not Touch Me), "Idilio" and "Maldito Amor" (Damned Love).
Selection of Danza's by Morel Campos
The following is a list of some of Morel Campos' Danza's:- Conversación (Conversation)
- Felices Días (Happy Days)
- Idilio (Idiocy)
- Maldito Amor (Damned Love)
- No me Toques (Do Not Touch Me)
- Sin ti jamás (Never without you)
- Sí te Toco (Yes, I will touch you)
- Sueño de Amor (Dream of love)
- Ten Piedad (Have pity)
- Tormento (Torment)
- Un conflicto (A conflict)
- Vano empeño (Trying in vain)
Later years
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
on April 26, 1896 during a concert in Ponce. He died of the stroke soon thereafter on May 16, in the City of Ponce. In December, 1926, his mortal remains were deposited at the foot of his statue in Plaza Las Delicias. His wife was Secundina Beltrán Collazo. Their children were Olimpia, Eugenia, Belén, Plácido and Manuel.
Legacy
Among the honors and recognitions bestowed on Juan Morel Campos are the following: The Free School of Music Juan Morel Campos in San JuanSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. There is a Juan Morel Campos Secondary School in Brooklyn, New York and a Jr. High School in Ponce. There is a Juan Morel Campos statue in the Plaza Las Delicias
Plaza Las Delicias
Plaza Las Delicias is the main plaza in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The square is notable for its fountains and for the various monuments it contains. The historic Parque de Bombas and Ponce Cathedral buildings are located within Plaza Las Delicias. Plaza Las Delicias is actually composed of...
in Ponce. There is a housing development, also in Ponce, named after Morel Campos. On May 23, 1984, the Government of Puerto Rico declared May 16 of every year to be celebrated as "Juan Morel Campos Day" and that November 23 be known as "The Day of the Composer". In 2001, Morel Campos was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame
International Latin Music Hall of Fame
The International Latin Music Hall of Fame was established in 1999.In addition to the induction into the Hall of Fame, the award ceremonies include Special Recognition Awards and Beny Moré Memorial Award.-1999:...
. His nephew Pedro Albizu Campos
Pedro Albizu Campos
Don Pedro Albizu Campos was a Puerto Rican politician and one of the leading figures in the Puerto Rican independence movement. He was the leader and president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party from 1930 until his death...
went on to become a famous political leader. Domingo Cruz "Cocolia"
Domingo Cruz "Cocolia"
Domingo Cruz was a late 19th century Puerto Rican musician, and director of the Ponce Firefighters’ Band .-Early years:...
became director of the Firefighters' Band upon the untimely death of Morel Campos. In his native Ponce, he is recognized at the Ponce Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of composers by nationality
- List of Puerto Rican songwriters