Joachim Horsley Blends Rachmaninoff with Cuban Timba in ‘Havana Prelude’
Pianist and composer Joachim Horsley has unveiled a new single, "Havana Prelude," which masterfully fuses Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor with the vibrant sounds of Cuban Timba and Afro-Cuban Abakúa. This marks Horsley’s inaugural venture into blending Rachmaninoff's classical style with Caribbean influences. The track retains the original piece's signature chords while introducing dynamic rhythms. The recording took place in 2025 during Horsley’s European tour at School Farm Studios in England with his live band. "Havana Prelude" is set to lead his forthcoming album, Supervision, scheduled for release later this year.
Key facts
- Joachim Horsley is a Latin GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer.
- The single ‘Havana Prelude’ fuses Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor (Op. 23 No. 5) with Cuban Timba and Afro-Cuban Abakúa rhythms.
- This is the first time Horsley has adapted Rachmaninoff into a Caribbean idiom.
- The project aims to reframe Eurocentric classical canons through African and Caribbean traditions.
- Foundational tracking occurred during Horsley’s 2025 European tour at School Farm Studios in England.
- The rhythm section included Murphy Aucamp, Yonathan ‘Morocho’ Gavidia, and Damian Nueva-Cortes.
- Horsley recorded final piano layers on a Steinway D in Los Angeles.
- ‘Havana Prelude’ is the lead excerpt from Horsley’s upcoming album and video series, Supervision.
Entities
Artists
- Joachim Horsley
- Murphy Aucamp
- Yonathan 'Morocho' Gavidia
- Damian Nueva-Cortes
- Sergei Rachmaninoff
Institutions
- School Farm Studios
- Steinway & Sons
- Kaltblut Magazine
Locations
- England
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Cuba