For week 34 of 2025, I’ve put together a tanda of instrumental milongas by one of my favorites—Edgardo Donato. Okay, I’ll admit: the first track isn’t 100% instrumental. It’s actually a tango canyengue with a recitado* at the start. Still, it sets the mood perfectly and shows just how talented Donato was.

Side note: I’m not sure who does the recitado here. Since it was recorded in 1940, it’s probably Horacio Lagos, Romeo Gavioli, or maybe even Donato himself. If you know, let me know!

Donato recorded 20 milongas in total, including “El lengue.” Only three are instrumental, so if you want an all-instrumental Donato tanda, your choices are slim. Oddly enough, I’ve never heard anyone else play these three in this order—even though it’s my go-to set.