Thomas Bowes' Sei Solo shines the spotlight on the sonatas and partitas for solo violin composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1720. Bowes believes that these six stand-alone compositions, while each individually offering insight into Bach's genius reveal more when taken as one epic work - and especially when set against the tragedy in Bach's life in the year of composition. The three albums in Bowes' release contain a total of six tracks. Each album starts with a sonata and concludes with a partita, moving through different keys. The sonatas showcase a larger, more abstract expression, while movements in the partitas are more focused on elements of the dance. Bowes views these six compositions as a vehicle for exploration into the existential, taking his cue from Bach's cryptic title 'sei solo', which reads 'you are alone', punning on the Italian for '6' and 'you are'. Though the performer flies solo on all of the tracks, he reaches well beyond the limitations of just one instrument. The focus and attention the violinist brings to all six tracks draws the listener into a meditative state of mind. It's almost as if Bowes is performing solely for each individual listener, providing an intimate experience that demands attention yet allows room for contemplation.

Tracklist:

Violin Sonata No. 1 In G Minor, Bwv 1001: I. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1 In G Minor, Bwv 1001: II. Fugue. Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 1 In G Minor, Bwv 1001: III. Siciliana
Violin Sonata No. 1 In G Minor, Bwv 1001: IV. Presto
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: I. Allemanda
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: II. Double
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: III. Corrente
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: IV. Double. Presto
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: V. Sarabanda
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: VI. Double
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: VII. Tempo Di Bourrée
Violin Partita No. 1 In B Minor, Bwv 1002: VIII. Double
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 1003: I. Grave
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 1003: II. Fuga
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 1003: III. Andante
Violin Sonata No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 1003: IV. Allegro
Violin Partita No. 2 In D Minor, Bwv 1004: I. Allemanda
Violin Partita No. 2 In D Minor, Bwv 1004: II. Corrente
Violin Partita No. 2 In D Minor, Bwv 1004: III. Sarabande
Violin Partita No. 2 In D Minor, Bwv 1004: IV. Gigue
Violin Partita No. 2 In D Minor, Bwv 1004: V. Ciaccona
Violin Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Bwv 1005: I. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Bwv 1005: II. Fugue
Violin Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Bwv 1005: III. Largo
Violin Sonata No. 3 In C Major, Bwv 1005: IV. Allegro Assai
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: I. Prélude
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: II. Loure
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: III. Gavotte En Rondeau
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: IV. Menuets I & II
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: V. Bourrée
Violin Partita No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006: VI. Gigue

UPC: 896931004596
Label: Navona
Release Date: 6.8.18
Format: CD

J Bach S / Bowes - Sei Solo (3 CD)