Bandoneon Day Date in the current year: July 11, 2024

The bandoneon is a type of concertina created by Heinrich Band, a German instrument dealer. Band’s invention was originally intended as an instrument for religious and popular music. Bandoneons were brought to Argentina by German and Italian sailors and emigrants in the second half of the 19th century.

The bandoneon quickly became an essential instrument in tango ensembles. Among leading 20th century proponents of the bandoneon was Anibal Troilo, a well-known Argentinian tango performer, composer, arranger and bandleader. Troilo actively used the bandoneon in his orchestra during the Golden Age of Argentine tango (from 1935 to 1952). Famous musician, composer and arranger Astor Piazzolla played the bandoneon in Troilo’s orchestra from 1939 to 1944.

In 2000, July 11 was declared as Bandoneon Day in Buenos Aires. Such a date was chosen to commemorate Troilo’s birth anniversary. Five years later, the Congress of the Argentine Nation legalized the holiday nationwide. The celebration was initiated by Anibal Troilo’s grandson Francisco Torne and Horacio Ferrer, a friend of Troilo’s and the president of the National Academy of Tango.

Photo © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar / CC BY-SA 3.0