Quejas de bandoneón

Juan de Dios Filiberto composed Quejas de bandoneón in 1918 together with La vuelta de Rocha. In the trio section he introduced the innovation of writing the melody for the left hand of the piano. He submitted the piece, along with others, to a contest organised by the Asistencia Pública in which Alberto Williams served on the jury; the prize went to Athos Palma.^[1][2] Shortly afterward Filiberto met the bandoneonist Augusto Berto, who was appearing at the cabaret L’Abbaye (Esmeralda between Lavalle and Tucumán) with a quartet that included Peregrino Paulos (violin), Luis Teisseire (flute) and José Sassone (piano). Berto asked for a tango to premiere; Filiberto supplied the manuscript of Quejas de bandoneón, which was received with strong applause.^[1][2] Despite the success Filiberto could not find a publisher and issued the work at his own expense in 1920. An early printed edition carries an otherwise unknown lyric signed only “Russo.”^[1][2] The piece was recorded by various ensembles but remained relatively obscure until 1944, when Aníbal Troilo incorporated it into his repertoire in an arrangement prepared by Astor Piazzolla; the recording of 27 September 1944 for RCA Victor established the work as a standard.^[1][2] Subsequent Troilo versions appeared in 1952 (TK) and 1958 (Odeon). The composition has since been performed by many orchestras and remains a core instrumental of the repertoire.^[1][2]

Composition and premiere

Composed 1918; premiered by Augusto Berto’s quartet at L’Abbaye after Filiberto supplied the manuscript; self-published 1920.^[1][2]

1944 recognition

Troilo’s 27 September 1944 recording with Piazzolla’s arrangement placed the work among the classics; later Troilo takes followed in 1952 and 1958.^[1][2]

Stylistic note

Filiberto’s use of left-hand melody in the trio was an early technical innovation noted by the composer himself.^[1][2]