Havana before Castro

In the 30´s and before the Castro era Havana was the wealthiest and most international city in the Caribbean. It was also a very elegant city with beautiful architecture, both modern and historic. No wonder Havana used to be called the Paris of Latin America.

This idyllic photo shows Havana in the late 1890s

For a glimpse of Havana in the 30s, watch this short documentary by the the legendary travel film director André de la Varre.

Musically Havana was a city with a tradition of classical music offering both opera and concerts. The Orguesta Sinfonica de la Habana was founded in 1922. One of the two founders was the legendary Cuban composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona, who is, of course, more wellknown for his more popular Cuban songs, some of which are still very popular, like e.g. Malaguena, Siboney and Siempre en mi corazon (Always in my heart).

Ernesto Lecuona gave his name and support to the touring orchestra Lecuona Cuban Boys,  although he was not a member of this band. The recordings of  the Lecuona Cuban Boys, still available on CD, are at least in my opinion some of the best Latin American rhytms ever recorded. They also in a wonderful way remind us of Havana in the 30s and 40s. .

Here is a small selection of the music of Lecuona Cuban Boys: