Unser Team
Savva Zihs
Bandoneon player: Responsible for the melodic lead and the characteristic tango sounds on the bandoneon.
Savva Zihs completed his music studies in Latvia in 2020 with a major in accordion and further expanded his knowledge through the Erasmus program at music conservatories in Rome and Antwerp. He developed a special passion for performing Baroque music, jazz, and tango on the accordion. While playing tango in various ensembles on the accordion, he realized that the instrument was not suitable for an authentic tango sound. Since 2022, Savva has been delving into the music and performance of tango on the bandoneon. He creates also transcriptions of piano and organ works by J.S. Bach, which can be heard on his YouTube channel, along with pieces by other composers, performed on accordion or bandoneon.
Oksana Pinchuk
Violinist: Responsible for the virtuosic and emotional violin solos.
Oksana Pinchuk, violinist and mother of three. She studied in Kyiv (Master’s in Modern Violin, 2014) and Cologne (Master’s in Baroque Violin, 2023). Oksana participates in symphony projects, sometimes as concertmaster, as well as in historically informed projects, and she is also a violin and viola teacher. Since January 2024, she has been a member of the Tango A Quartet.
Anvar Akbari
Pianist: Responsible for the harmonious overall sound and rhythmic foundation of the ensemble.
Anvar Akbari, piano. Originally from Uzbekistan, the trained and successful solo pianist Anvar Akbari continued his studies in piano with Professor Ilja Scheps and song accompaniment with Professor Günter Glauß at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne after working as a répétiteur at the Aachen Opera. For years, he has been a sought-after soloist, orchestral musician, and song accompanist at concerts in Germany, Holland, Italy, and Russia. He has performed several times at venues like the Cologne Philharmonic and collaborates closely with renowned musicians such as Klesie Kelly-Moog, Kristzina Laki, and Claudia Kunz-Eisenlohr. Since moving to Germany, he has earned an excellent reputation as a piano partner for singers and instrumentalists.
Andri Stukalenko
Double Bassist: Provides a powerful bass foundation in our tango ensemble.
Andri Stukalenko, with extensive experience across various genres and formats, has spent many years as a solo and tutti double bassist in symphony, opera, and chamber orchestras as well as ensembles. His musical journey is reflected in numerous performances with orchestral accompaniment. In addition to his musical engagements, Andri is distinguished by a solid musical and general education, shaped by continuous self-study and personal development. As an educator and expert in string instrument repair, he shares his knowledge and skills. Alongside his classical repertoire, he is also successfully active as an electric bassist.