Anthony Romaniuk

Organ

The Salzburg Festival 2024
Mozart. Don Giovanni
Bach. St Matthew Passion

Australian-born pianist Anthony Romaniuk, a jazz enthusiast in his youth, studied classical piano in New York before specializing in early music in the Netherlands. His diverse musical journey spans improvisation, indie rock, and ambient/electronic music. As a classical recitalist, he collaborates with renowned artists like violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen.

Which European city is your favorite and why?

My favorite city is Madrid. The climate, a strong sense of community, and a vibrant cultural and culinary scene combine to create a unique atmosphere.

What is your must-hear song at a party?

Hey-Ya by Outkast.

Which living composer deserves a place in music history courses?

They’re probably already being taught, but either Steve Reich or John Adams. Music which beautifully mirrors and speaks to the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

What performance of a renowned musical standard sets the benchmark for excellence?

Joe Cocker’s cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends — almost like a re-composition, plus Jimmy Page on guitar.

What type of coffee pairs well with Bach?

I’m a complete coffee snob, so I tend to choose certain kinds of coffee, regardless of whether or not I’m listening to Bach. In the mornings, I go for a flat white (arguably Australia’s greatest culinary export) with oat milk, and in the afternoons, I prefer filter coffee, either brewed with a V60 or an Aeropress.

Music to describe the spirit of Utopia?

The opening chorus from the St Matthew Passion felt quite utopian — the sense of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.