José Marín Varona, Cuban professor, composer, and conductor of orchestras and military bands, was born on March 10, 1859, in the city of Camagüey. He began his musical studies with Professor Mariano Agüero in his hometown. He settled in Havana at a very young age.

Together with Maestro Modesto Julián, he directed the orchestra of one of Havana’s main stages of the time, the Albisu Theater.

Several of his compositions became known through performances by the buffoonery troupe, directed by actor Gonzalo Hernández, at the Albisu and Irijoa theaters. These included: From Guanabacoa to Havana, Open the Door for Me, Concha or the Three Wise Men, and Juan José’s Lockpick.

His zarzuela, El brujo, premiered with notable success at the Albisu in 1896. Its success was due to the song “Es el amor la mitad de la vida” (Love is Half a Life), with lyrics by JR Barreiro. This is Varona’s most popular work and has been part of the repertoire of countless lyrical performers and choral groups throughout many generations of Cuban musicians.

Shortly after this premiere, he had to emigrate to Key West, United States, due to his independence-minded views, which had led to threats from the Spanish colonial government. During this period, he contributed to local publications, including journalism and music criticism.

In 1899, Marín returned to Cuba and premiered new works at the Alhambra Theatre, such as the zarzuela La guaracha in 1902. At the Alhambra, he served from its founding until 1912 as director of its orchestra, sharing this role with maestro Rafael Palau during the consolidation phase of the El Lope Cubano company, directed by Regino López.

In 1900, he won a prize at the Universal Exposition in Paris for his piano dances entitled Tropicales; and in 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, United States, his concert waltz Esperanza won an award.

He founded and directed the Army General Staff Band in 1902, following the proclamation of the Republic, and the Artillery Corps Band in 1905. For these bands, he wrote and arranged patriotic music, such as the hymns “Tribute to Maine,” “Hymn for Yara,” “Orphans of the Homeland,” “Governor Magoon,” and “Independence,” among others.

He also founded the magazine Cuba Musical, where he cultivated his critical acumen and regularly contributed to other publications. Havana’s musical scene in the early 20th century was captured in his chronicles and reviews. He worked as a teacher at the Municipal Conservatory of Havana and was a member of the National Academy of Arts and Letters, where he chaired the Music Section for years. He also wrote a comprehensive treatise on musical theory.

In 1911, his last theatrical premiere took place at the Alhambra, with the zarzuela “Las manejos militares.” This performance featured a libretto by Federico Villoch and was a fabulous success for Regino López’s theater company.

The premiere of his overture “Patria,” dedicated to the national hero Ignacio Agramonte, took place during the ceremonies marking the unveiling of the monument dedicated to his memory in the Plaza Mayor of Camagüey. On this occasion, he conducted the Band of the General Headquarters of the Republic, on February 24, 1912.

His works have been performed by leading figures in music, such as Chalía Herrera, a Cuban soprano who recorded several of them. Also under the baton of Luis Casas Romero, the Infantry Regiment Band recorded four pieces from the Molde series for RCA Víctor (Esperanza, Ensueños, Novelita, and Íntima) in 1916 arrangements for band.

In his book Folkorismo, published in Havana in 1928, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes expressed his respect and admiration for this musician: “In the romantic genre and among Hispanic American composers, Marín Varona rightfully occupies a place of honor.”

He was a great composer of zarzuelas, songs, and piano works. These include: Any Name, Love Song, From the Sea, The Levante Sea, The 20th of May, The Door of My Hut, The Wilted Flower, My Homeland, Creole Serenade, The Pearl of the Antilles, Always You, Your Love is My Fortune, and Your Song, among many others; for voice and piano.

October 10th (operetta); The Crime of Batabanó (comic play); Hope (waltz); Tropicales (piano dances).

José Marín Varona died on September 17, 1912, in Havana.