Double bassist Hans Sturm and pianist Ann Chang perform a recital of tango music by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Kimball Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.
“Piazzolla’s music invites hyperbole,” Sturm said. “It is as powerful as a Midwestern spring thunder storm — at one moment everything is calm, warm and clear and then, unexpectedly, the sky suddenly darkens with driving rains creased by lightening. His music, ‘Tango Nuevo,’ revolutionized the tango of his childhood with jazz harmonies, classical forms, and angular rhythms. It is the most vivid music I know.”
The majority of pieces have been transcribed by Sturm for the double bass as the solo voice, including the virtuosic “Le Grand Tango” composed for cellist Mstistlav Rostropovich and the evocative “Oblivion,” the theme to the movie “Henry IV.”
Sturm has performed as soloist, chamber, orchestral, jazz and improvisational musician throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the United States. He received a doctorate from Northwestern University and, prior to his appointment to UNL, was professor of double bass and jazz studies and coordinator of the string department at Ball State University for 17 years. At UNL, Sturm is an associate professor of music.
