The Moment Everything Changed

On July 28th, something truly special will happen.

First, let me tell you a story.

When I started playing the bandoneón, my world revolved around tango. Like many, I was captivated by the music of Astor Piazzolla—the way he transformed tango into something deeper, more intricate, more daring. His music was my gateway into the instrument, and for a long time, I thought the bandoneón belonged exclusively to the world of tango.

Then I discovered Alejandro Barletta.

The first time I heard him play Bach on the bandoneón, it was as if someone had opened a door to a completely new universe. I had never imagined the instrument in that context, navigating the polyphony of a fugue, breathing through the counterpoint, revealing its full expressive potential beyond the rhythmic pulse of tango.

It was a revelation—one that changed my entire perspective on what the bandoneón could be.

Barletta didn’t just play Bach; he proved that the bandoneón could stand alongside the great classical instruments. He expanded the repertoire, bringing the instrument into spaces where it had never been heard before.

Inspired by that vision, I began exploring classical music on the bandoneón myself. What started as an experiment soon became a passion, and that passion led me to dedicate not just a few pieces, but entire albums to one of the greatest composers of all time.

To this day, my two albums of my own Bach transcriptions for bandoneón remain some of the most important recordings of my career. They are my tribute—not only to Bach, but to the idea that the bandoneón is limitless, that it belongs wherever music allows it to belong.

And now, something I could have never imagined is about to happen.

On July 28th—the anniversary of Bach’s passing—I will perform the first-ever solo bandoneón recital at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, the very place where Bach worked for much of his life, where he premiered many of his greatest works, and where his body now rests.

It’s difficult to put into words what this moment means to me. But I do know this: without Piazzolla, I might have never picked up the bandoneón. Without Barletta, I might have never played Bach. And without Bach, I would not be the musician I am today.

Now, it all comes full circle.

Tickets are not yet available, I´ll let you know in time. For now, I just wanted to share this exciting news.

If you haven´t heard it yet, here´s my latest Bach album released in August 2024.

Have a nice day,

Claudio.