La flor de la canela

Not to be confused with Flor y canela.

"La flor de la canela", commonly translated to the English language as "The Cinnamon Flower", is a Creole waltz composed by the Peruvian singer-songwriter Chabuca Granda.

"La flor de la canela"
Chabuca singing in 1960
Single by Chabuca Granda
English title	The Cinnamon Flower
Released	7 January 1950
Recorded	1953
Genre	Peruvian waltz
Length	3:21
Songwriter(s)	Chabuca Granda
Music video
"La flor de la canela" on YouTube

The song was first recorded in 1950 by the musica criolla trio Los Morochucos [es]. However, it would be the 1953 version recorded by Los Chamas, another musica criolla ensemble, that would bring the song and Chabuca Granda widespread notability in Spain and Latin America with over 600 versions of the song being available.^[1]

Since then, the song has become an unofficial anthem for Lima, the capital of Peru.^[2]

Other versions

Notable covers

Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez performing at the Washington National Opera, with "La flor de la canela" as the final piece.

In 2013, Peruvian singer-songwriter Gian Marco recorded a cover which served as the lead single for his album Versiones.^[3] His version helped the album be certified gold in Perú and became nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year.^[4] Gian Marco performed the song at the Latin Grammy Awards that year.^[5]

In 2016, Panamanian singer Rubén Blades released a salsa version of the song for the album A Chabuca.^[6] The following year, his version received a nomination for the Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year.^[7]

In 2020, Peruvian group Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra released a cover featuring Lorenzo Ferrero for their album Tradiciones.^[8] Their version was nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Arrangement.^[9] The arrangement was made by Peruvian saxophonist, composer, and arranger Lorenzo Ferrero who won the award for it.^[10]

Other covers

The song has been recorded by a series of other artists such as Amalia Mendoza, Argentinian singer Rabito from the 1976 album "Melodías", Flor Silvestre, Irma Dorantes, Yma Sumac, Lucha Reyes, Eva Ayllón, María Dolores Pradera, Tania Libertad, Julio Iglesias, Raphael, Menudo, Plácido Domingo, Raúl di Blasio, Juan Diego Florez (under conductor Gustavo Dudamel), El Puma, and Caetano Veloso.^[11]

Accolades

Year	Awards Ceremony	Category	Result
2017	Latin Grammy Awards	Record of the Year	Nominated
2020	Latin Grammy Awards	Best Arrangement	Won

References

1. "7 datos que debes conocer sobre La flor de la canela". Canalipe.tv. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
2. García, Oscar (3 September 2020). "70 años de "La Flor de la Canela": la historia de la canción que Chabuca Granda le compuso a una vieja amiga". El Comercio. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
3. "La flor de la canela LETRA - Gianmarco". Musica.com. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
4. Khoshaba, Christy (November 21, 2013). "Latin Grammys 2013: The complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
5. Narro, Enrique (21 November 2013). "Grammy Latino 2013: Gian Marco cantó La flor de la canela". Rpp.pe. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
6. "Rubén Blades rinde tributo a Chabuca cantando 'La flor de la canela'". Salserisimoperu.com. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
7. Alvarez, Renzo (26 September 2017). "Latin Grammy | Rubén Blades nominado por 'La Flor de la Canela'". Rpp.pe. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
8. ^{[dead link]}
9. "Latin Grammy 2020: los peruanos que buscarán ser galardonados". Andina.pe. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
10. "Peruano Lorenzo Ferrero gana Grammy Latino a Mejor Arreglo por "La flor de la canela"". Andina.pe. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
11. "La Flor de la Canela: Versiones de la popular canción de Chabuca Granda". Venezuelasinfonica.com. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2021.