Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber - The Mystery Sonatas
Classical | APE, CUE | 2 Cd, Covers, Note | 636 MB | Label: Virgin / Angel Records
Date Rec: 1990 | CD: December 23, 2002
Classical | APE, CUE | 2 Cd, Covers, Note | 636 MB | Label: Virgin / Angel Records
Date Rec: 1990 | CD: December 23, 2002
This cd is a reissue of the 1991 Gramophone Award winner for best baroque instrumental. The work consists of fifteen meditations on the mysteries of the rosary, plus a passacaglia for solo violin. Biber's reputation for technical innovation and virtuosity is fully in evidence here. The suites include programmatic elements, variously imitating such effects as the rustle of an angel's wings and the scourging of Christ. Only Sonata I and the passacaglia use a conventionally tuned violin; the remaining fourteen sonatas use scordatura tuning with extraordinarily resonant results.