Origins

The bandoneon was invented, or rather, patented, somewhere around the half of the 19th century by a musician and businessman called Heinrich Band (therefore the name: band-oneon).

Band was from Krefeld, a German town. Far from where the bandoneon would eventually settle down: Argentina.

They say that it was used to replace organs in small churches and chapels, since its sustained sound could imitate it very well. However, this legend (which Piazzolla himself always told) has not been verified and is not likely to be very accurate.

It was mostly used as a home or salon instrument, to perform music from the Nordrhein-Westfalen region and other types of music that was popular in those times, including classical music.

Eventually, as you might know, it reached Argentina and became the most iconic instrument in tango music.

But, since most bandoneonists specialize in tango (a genre that I love), I try as much as possible to play other types of music, including my own compositions.

An Imaginary Soundtrack is a compilation of waltzes and evocative short pieces that I composed around 2008/2009 while I studied in Paris. Heavily influenced by the Musette and French Valse traditions, these pieces show yet another side of this fascinating instrument; dreamy, introspective, explosive, delicate… in short, a myriad of expressions.

The album can be heard on all streaming platforms but if you want to buy the CD, as you might already know, I´m only selling it this week on my website. Afterward it won´t be possible to buy it anymore. It´s almost sold-out

So, here´s the link.

Have a nice day,

Claudio.