Several bandoneón players had gained popularity at the beginning of the XX Century. An incomplete list of these pioneering bandoneonists should include Juan Maglio (“Pacho”), Augusto Berto, Vicente Loduca, José Severino, Genaro Espósito, Arturo Berstein, and Vicente Greco. However, with the exception of Berstein, who had received formal music instruction, most bandoneonists of the 1900’s played intuitively, “by the ear”. Because they were not digitally fluent on the keypads, the bandoneón sound was dominated by the bursts produced at the closing of the blower, with rapid digital flute-like whistles in staccato tempo interposed during the opening of the box. (Continue Reading…)