Anthony Romaniuk & Toshiyuki Shibata - J.S. Bach: Sonatas, Fantasias & Improvisations (2022)

This project represents a starting point in gently opening up the possibilities of incorporating an element of improvisation into the oeuvre of Bach's chamber music. Given that both Toshi and Anthony are improvising musicians, able and willing to extemporise in a variety of genres (jazz, folk music, early music, etc.), but also being devotees of the repertoire and musical language of Bach, it seemed natural to use certain works of Bach’s as a basis for new invention. The result is a fresh approach to Bach, where improvisation is part of the overall soundscape, whether through ornamentation, basso continuo or entire passages opened up for ‘jamming’. The instrumentation for this programme is also diverse, with Toshi and Anthony using two instruments each; broadening the timbral spectrum. This project is, for them, a crucial way in exploring just how we can be both faithful to the score and true to ourselves as creative musicians interested in mastering this musical language.

Tracklist
1. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Fantasia on a Sarabande (After Bach's Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013: Sarabande) (05:37)
2. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035: I. Adagio ma non tanto (02:35)
3. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035: II. Allegro (03:15)
4. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035: III. Siciliano (03:48)
5. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035: IV. Allegro assai (03:14)
6. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Minor, BWV 1034: I. Adagio ma non tanto (03:11)
7. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Minor, BWV 1034: II. Allegro (02:35)
8. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Minor, BWV 1034: III. Andante (03:32)
9. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in E Minor, BWV 1034: IV. Allegro (04:47)
10. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Improvisation (Resonance Arps) (02:21)
11. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1030: I. Andante (07:40)
12. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1030: II. Largo e dolce (03:35)
13. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1030: III. Presto (01:27)
14. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Flute Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1030: IV.[Allegro] (04:29)
15. Toshiyuki Shibata & Anthony Romaniuk – Fantasia on an Andante (After Bach's Sonata BWV 528: Andante) (06:14)