Joachim Horsley reimagines Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor with Cuban rhythms on “Havana Prelude,” blending classical and Caribbean traditions.
Latin GRAMMY-nominated musician Joachim Horsley returns with “Havana Prelude,” a bold new single that reimagines Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor through the vibrant rhythms of Cuba. Blending Timba with the Afro-Cuban Abakúa tradition, the release marks Horsley’s first arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s music in a Caribbean style. As a result, it expands his acclaimed body of work that fuses classical masterpieces with Afro-Caribbean influences.
The idea for “Havana Prelude” traces back to Horsley’s visit to Cuba in 2015. That experience inspired him to reinterpret well-known classical compositions through Caribbean musical traditions. Since then, projects such as Beethoven in Havana have established his distinctive artistic identity.
For this release, Horsley preserves the technical brilliance of Rachmaninoff’s original composition while introducing energetic Cuban dance rhythms. The arrangement maintains the demanding piano passages that define the work. At the same time, it offers listeners a fresh and accessible interpretation of a celebrated classical piece. Horsley shares:
Rachmaninoff is a very special composer, and combining his music with dance rhythms from Cuba is an angle I hope people find as a fresh offering of a legendary classic.
A New Chapter in Classical Crossover
Horsley recorded “Havana Prelude” during his 2025 European tour at School Farm Studios in England. He collaborated with his touring band, featuring Murphy Aucamp on drums and timbales, Yonathan “Morocho” Gavidia on percussion, and Damian Nueva-Cortes on bass.
After the rhythm section completed its parts, Horsley recorded the final piano performance on a Steinway D in Los Angeles. This process allowed the Cuban grooves to shape the arrangement before the melodic elements came together.
“Havana Prelude” serves as the first preview of Horsley’s upcoming album and video series, Supervision, scheduled for release later in 2026 or early 2027. Moreover, the project continues the creative approach that earned him a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Bach’s Cuban Concerto for Piano and Tres. Horsley also hopes the arrangement will become part of the repertoire of pianists worldwide.
A Steinway & Sons Artist, Joachim Horsley has performed at renowned venues across the globe. In addition, he has composed music for film and television, including Gordita Chronicles, Batman: Soul of the Dragon, and Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation, earning an Annie Award nomination for his work.
Stream the new single now on your favorite music platform and discover where classical music meets vibrant Cuban rhythms.
Press Release
