Biber: The Rosary Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber created a lasting monument in this series of fifteen sonatas depicting the story of Jesus. The unique element in this music is the technique called scordatura, deliberate mistuning of the violin strings for unusual effects. But listeners will be more aware of the its intense nature. Biber doesn't strive for beautiful melodies most of the time; he has a dramatic story to tell, which he does with remarkably imaginative effects. For a sample, try The Ascension, which hardly sounds baroque at all. If that gets you, you'll continue to enjoy the series. There have been very good recordings of this music by Reinhard Goebel and Marianne Ronez. Manze is an excellent musician in ordinary baroque music, but he really excels in wild and crazy pieces (as on his amazing Tartini CD. His realizations of this radical set, in collaboration with the excellent keyboardist Egarr, go straight to the head of the field, and he even adds a brief demonstration of how scordatura works so you don't have to wonder any more. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Praeludium
Aria, Variato
Finale
Sonata
Allamanda
Finale
Sonata
Courette, Double
Finale
Ciacona
Praeludium
Alamanda
Giugue
Sarabanda, Double
Lamento
Allamanda
Sarabanda, Variatio
Sonata
Guigue, Double 1, Double 2
Sonata
Courente, Double
Finale

Tracks:

Praeludium
Aria
Variatio, Cont.
Sonata
Surexit Christus Hodie
Adagio
Intrada
Aria Tubicinum
Allamanda
Courente, Double
Sonata
Gavotta
Guigue
Sarabanda
Sonata
Aria
Sonata
Aria, Variatio
Canzona
Sarabanda, Double
Passangalia For Unaccompanied Violin
Scordatura Briefly Explained

Amazon.com

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber created a lasting monument in this series of fifteen sonatas depicting the story of Jesus. The unique element in this music is the technique called scordatura, deliberate mistuning of the violin strings for unusual effects. But listeners will be more aware of the its intense nature. Biber doesn't strive for beautiful melodies most of the time; he has a dramatic story to tell, which he does with remarkably imaginative effects. For a sample, try The Ascension, which hardly sounds baroque at all. If that gets you, you'll continue to enjoy the series. There have been very good recordings of this music by Reinhard Goebel and Marianne Ronez. Manze is an excellent musician in ordinary baroque music, but he really excels in wild and crazy pieces (as on his amazing Tartini CD. His realizations of this radical set, in collaboration with the excellent keyboardist Egarr, go straight to the head of the field, and he even adds a brief demonstration of how scordatura works so you don't have to wonder any more. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Very good, but not the best.......2007-04-11

I would probably be just as amazed as most other reviewers at Manze's interpretation of this unique set of violin sonatas. However, I am very familiar with Goebel's recording, after which he had to stop playing due to the laming of his left hand (he was left-handed, and he played for some time with his right hand after this incident). Goebel also has an amazing technique, but the passion that he's able to extract out of his violin makes Manze's a very good, yet a bit cold and unconvincing version. Goebel is still the reference.

Also at a loss for words.......2005-11-09

These works, in the hands of Manze and Egarr, are almost too perfect and mystical to be marred by description...and besides, your wonderful reviewers (with one exception) have said it all.
I first heard this version on CBC Radio Canada a few weeks ago via Internet. I almost fainted, and yet, aware that something dramatic had just happened to me, I immediately ordered the set from Amazon . It arrived today, two weeks later, and I'm sitting here listening as if I'd just been cured of tone-deafness. Is this what the Elizabethans meant when they put"hearing" at the top of the list for the senses in the Great Chain of Being? If the Virgin Mary was impregnated through the ear, is this what she heard?

I've been managing and producing in the classical music world for some time, and believe me, I'm at a loss for words of gratitude to Andrew Manze not only for his deeply moving performance, something I've grown used to with him, but for opening the inner ear of anyone who cares to listen to something they once called "the music of the spheres". Long live Biber - thanks to the likes of these performers who never allow their virtuosity nor ego to separate them from what seems to be a spiritual devotion.

Academically Robotic.......2005-10-28

Biber is probably one of the most inventive and lyrically expressive violin composer to have come out of ther Austrian Baroque period. Catholicism being synonymous with the Italian Baroque violin tradition of lyricism, Biber's 'Mystery Sonatas' are probably some of the most moving lyrical pieces in the entire Baroque repertoire. The expressive ranges unfortunately remains in the dark in this performance as the piece is performed by Manze who, although a leader in the study of this period, is ironically the least expressive professional violinist for Early Baroque pieces which is ultimately self-defeating. Manze is principally an academic performer instead of a professional one and his performances sound like scale and technique lessons instead of the passionate interpretations they are supposed to be. I can't stand them as it really only appeals to violinists who need to practice the techniques that are painfully overemphasized ad nauseam in recordings such as this one! My case and point, the spotlight reviewer who is a violinist and emphasizes on the clarity of the method as part of his overly positive review of this work as an academic vs. professional performance. This sluggish screeching resulting from his over-methodical applications of technique sounds like a set of nails scratching the chalkboard every time and is ultimately self-defeating because such performances make him sound like nothing more than an amateur and are tedious beyond belief! Musica Antiqua Koln's performance of this piece with Goebels is superior in expressive lyricism to Manze in every way and I wouldn't really waste my money on these. Goebels doesn't get lost in fine tuning academic technique and emphasizes on performance while Manze fine tunes on technique and can't even realize how robotic and acoustically flat his performance is as a result. This album is good only for lessons.

Simply Amazing - Disregard the Negative Comments.......2005-10-17

I doubted whether to buy this or Reinhard Goebel's version of the sonatas. Most reviewers praised this one highly, but one was giving it really bad press, which made me doubt. I haven't bought the other one, and therefore I can't really compare them (though i spent considerable time comparing the previews provided by amazon, i feel the restricted length of the segments and the mediocre quality of the sound don't allow me to speak of other versions), but I have to say this version is just amazing. Manze's performance, far from sounding "stiff and academic", as this minority review suggested, is one of an understated, minimalistic beauty. The sound quality of the recording is exceptional. And the choice to use just one instrument retuned for each sonata, as opposed to used many pre-tuned instruments, does give this version the edge as far as being musically and historically more correct to Biber's original intentions. The change of character in the violin's sound frome one sonata to the next is quite striking and gives depth and texture to the work.

As an aside, I would encourage all prospective buyers who are put off by Octavius' review, to disregard this negative propaganda. Checking his other reviews it seems obvious that this reviewer has some sort of personal agenda of hate towards Andrew Manze. He repeats negative review after negative review by cutting and pasting entire paragraphs avoiding even the effort to write each review from scratch; and probably without even listening to each recording as it seems rather far-fetched that anyone would buy so many records of an artist they disregard so much.

To conclude: if in doubt, preview all versions by yourselves, as they are quite different. I believe those of you who choose this one will not be dissapointed.

Extraordinarily good.......2005-09-04

A combination of superb performance with superb music makes this unbeatable. Andrew Manze is one of the great artists of this (or any) time. Biber turns out to be more exciting and profound than many of his more famous contemporaries. Here you will find the inspiration for much of Handel, and a prototype of Bach's Chaconne for violin. One measure of the quality of this recording is that the music supercedes any limitations of a particular taste or musical experience.

Fantastic Style: 17th-Century Violin Music

Average customer rating:

Good record in ecomonic price

Fantastic Style: 17th-Century Violin Music

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Vivaldi
Pandolfi: Complete Violin Sonatas

ASIN: B00099FVCY
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Customer Reviews:

Good record in ecomonic price.......2007-07-19

This CD is 2 CDs in one price, however, that's not good enought that I recommand it, the more important is that Manze had gotten good appreciation when individual record released, so we could listen his beautiful music with lower price.
As to the list of these collection, the major composer isn't shown of Castello, but Schmelzer, you could view its comments from other reviewers. I would add more coment from comparied with Manze and Holloway. The former is good of violin technique and fluent; the latter is that put more expressive with emotion on it. They all works perfect, not esay to compare. If you ever liked or listen one of them, I recommand you try both of.

Average customer rating:

Strange and Beautiful
Magnificent Mysteries
Heinrich von Biber

Biber: Rosary Sonatas
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber , Susanne Lautenbacher , Johannes Koch , and Rudolf Ewerhart
Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Biber: Violin Sonatas
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Schmelzer: Unarum Fidium /Holloway * Assenbaum * Mortensen
Biber: Unam Ceylum /Holloway * Assenbaum * Mortensen

ASIN: B000001K5O
Release Date: 1996-10-22

Tracks:

Praeludium
Aria Allegro: Variatio
Finale
Sonata
Allemande
Presto
Sonata
Courante: Double
Adagio
Sonata No. 4 In D Minor (Ciacona)
Praeludium
Allemande
Gigue
Sarabande: Double
Lamento
Presto
Adagio
Allemande: Variatio
Sarabande: Variatio
Sonata
Gigue: Double 1: Double 2
Sonata
Courante: Double
Finale

Tracks:

Praeludium
Aria: Variatio
Sonata
Surrexit Christus Hodie
Adagio
Intrada
Aria Tubicinum
Allemande
Courante: Double
Sonata
Gavotte
Gigue
Sarabande
Grave
Aria
Gigue
Sonata
Aria
Canzone
Sarabande
Sonata No. 16 'Sonata Of The Guardian Angel' (Passacaglia In G Minor)

Customer Reviews:

Strange and Beautiful.......2007-02-26

I bought this couple of CDs a long time ago, when this recording was the only CD available on the Biber's Rosenkranz sonaten work. I actually bought this Cds because I was looking for a solo violin work as great as the monumental Ciacona for violin solo of Bach (I have ten different versions of this Bach's work). The only reference to this violin solo works that I could read about at that time was the sonata for the Guardian Angel of Biber. I was exited before hear it, but in that time I hear briefly and I was not pleased for what I heard. I don't give to my ears and brain and my soul a chance to hear it. And I store the CDs for years. Then I try to hear again the Sonates, about 5 years later, I was curious, trying to rediscover some CDs that I never heard as I must had to. And wow! These Rosenkranz Sonaten are some of the most beautiful and original works for violin I have never heard. The performers record this works on the early 60's, this year get to 45 years old the recording, a lot of time. Mrs. Lautenbacher plays beautiful, gently, softly, may be she was not a violin virtuoso as Mr. Heifetz was, but play this music with taste and soul. I like specially a lot the sonatas 10 and the 15 and the 21 (yes the great passacaglia).
After this Biber become one of my predilect composers as is J.S.Bach, some of his sons, and many others. But Biber is one on the top on my preference list with few others.

Magnificent Mysteries.......2004-07-18

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704), virtuoso violinist and composer, wrote this set of fifteen Mystery or Rosary Sonatas circa 1674. Well respected during his lifetime, Biber served as Kappelmeister at the Salzburg Cathedral under Prince-Archbishop Maximilian Gandolf where he was awarded a title of minor nobility, and was addressed as "Biber von Biber". These sonatas should go a long way in convincing anyone Biber deserved whatever titles he may have earned.

Never published during his lifetime ~ scored in tabulature, a form of notation that simply instructs a musician how to place the fingers on the strings ~ written for the violin at a time when this instrument wasn't completely accepted into polite society ~ rife with scordatura, a retuning of the violin from the standard fifths which has been likened to playing blind as the notes sound completely different to the performer's ear than expected ~ this is challenging, moving, thoroughly engaging music.

The most extraordinary scordatura tuning occurs in Rosary Sonata XI (The Resurrection), which requires the violinist to interchange the middle two strings, crossing them before the bridge of the violin and again at the nut, resulting in a symbolic cross shape. Each sonata tells a story through various musical means and devices unique to each of the Mysteries: the joyful mysteries (I-V), the sorrowful mysteries (VI-X), and the glorious mysteries (XI-XV).

For example, the rapid, swirling figuration that opens the first sonata represents the notion that children are a gift from God. Christ's despair in the garden of Gethsemane is depicted with chromatic ascending and descending lines, a device used by Biber in laments. Repeated notes on the same pitch denote agitation or anger, combined with sharply twisting melodic lines. The violent opening figuration of the tenth sonata is sometimes said to represent the nails being hammered into the cross, while the virtuosic figuration that ends the sonata could represent the earthquake after Christ's death. These specific images enhance the mood of each sonata through careful choice of key, movement type and the scordatura tuning.

Of all the available recordings of this work, this one is the most technically pure. Susanna Lautenbacher plays with a confident restraint, allowing the music to speak for itself, and imbues these sonatas with a tangible reverence and spirituality. Here is a recording for anyone who prefers a clean, unhurried approach to baroque music. No flashy fireworks, no fluff, no gilding of the lily ~ no need of it.

An interesting aside: The Mystery Sonatas survive in an illuminated presentation manuscript in the Bavarian State Library in Munich, having been donated sometime around 1890 from an anonymous private collection. It's not known who presented the manuscript to the library, nor is anything known of the history of the manuscript before its arrival, or even if it was generally known to have existed. Therein lies another mystery, in and of itself.

Heinrich von Biber.......2002-06-07

In all the baroque era of music, I must confess, my favorite is Johann Pachelbe. BUT! Of anyone who come as cloce to Pachelbel, that would be von Biber. His is a very elektrifying performance and so very lovely to hear. Between Pachelbel and von Biber, they are the best of the baroque... With the acceptional addition of Antonio Vivaldi. VIVA LA BAROQUE!!

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas

Average customer rating:

Not your typical Baroque Sonatas
most melodious violin sonatas I have ever heard
Manze at his best
Double Bonus
Wonderful, scholarly rendition

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tartini: The Devil's Sonata / Andrew Manze

ASIN: B0000007ES
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Sonata IV, From Sonatoe unarum fidium, 1664
Sonata V, From Sonatoe unarum fidium
Sonata VI, From Sonatoe unarum fidium
Sonata, 'Cucu'
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Der Turken Anmarsch
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Der Turken Belaegerung der Stadt Wien
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Der Turken sturmen
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Anmarsch der Christen
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Treffen der Christen
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Durchgang der Turnke
Sonata, 'Victori der Christen': Victori der Christen
Sonata I, From Sonatoe unarum fidium
Sonata II, From Sonatoe unarum fidium
Sonata III, From Sonatoe unarum fidium

Customer Reviews:

Not your typical Baroque Sonatas.......2005-10-18

The sonatas here are equisite and musically-rich compositions and possibly the very first (1664) solo violin + continuo sonatas ever published. Additionally, this recording is one of the finer recordings from Baroque specialist Andrew Manze & Romanesca in my opinion. Right from the opening piece, one's senses are immediately captived by Manze's soaring runs against the fine continuo and the gorgeous sound ambiance of the recording. Romanesca's performance here on the whole are outstanding as is Andrew Manze's for his more consistent intonation, expressive melodies and trademark intricate, precise and rhythmic playing.

A highlight of this disc surely is the haughtingly beautiful opening Sonata IV (1664), which immediately creates a sense of allure and a drama to unfold - and it does most splendidly with poinant, melancholic adagios that turn into molto-presto displays of gypsy-like rhythmic attack and virtuostic brilliance from Mr. Manze. This sonata is just one of the many beautiful works on this CD - and may be one of finest expressive pieces of music Manze has recorded. These are not your typical or monotanous Baroque sonatas (as Baroque ones can be) but possess an intricant, somewhat-experimental and highly emotive expression that was sought after by composers in this period of history where virtuosity reigned. Each one is musically different and rewarding. It is music that grows on you - rather than wearing on you - with frequent listening.

Baroque master Andrew Manze brings much to this music which was intended only for the most advanced of musicians. Undoubtedly, his technical prowness shines the most with his strong rhythmic sense, percussive textures and crisply-articulated bowing in the fast parts - all of which create great excitement and drama. His demisemiquaver scalar runs in the "passionate outbursts" are about as effortless and smooth as you can hear anywhere. As compared to some of his other music, Mr. Manze here better succeeds with Schmelzer to find more of the "heart" of the slower, lyrically-expressive movements. His soaring riffs in Sonatas I, II, III and IV exude tangible passion and are some of his most "Italianesque" playing I have heard. (Schmelzer, like his predicessor Biber, wrote much music with Italian style and virtuoso players in mind.)

If there is a lackluster momement on the CD for me, it was the adaptation of Biber's tenth "Rosary Sonata" which was not as attractive as the Schmelzer pieces to my ears. Here, Mr. Manze does not quite find a smooth, graceful, lyrical expression in the adagio tempos (and a few other momements in the other sonatas) and sounds slightly more strained in tone and somewhat emotionally awkward at times (track #11 for example). But, to most people, this seems not an issue or a cited weakness in Manze's playing. Regardless, this is not too consequential overall as the magnificant compositions and suspenseful progression of the music as a whole override any such 'flat' moments to some ears.

And let's not forget to fully recognize the humble - yet critical - continuo playing from Nigel North and John Toll here. Their skillful and well-judged style creates a most effective backdrop to spotlight Manze's melody lines. Their instruments sound marvelous and are captured in a perfect balance with a superb sound quality from HM. The tastefully-resonant sound ambiance I think is just right to bring out the beauty, enchantment and emotional depth of this music. It is one of the better-sounding recordings I have.

This music is a fresh change from the typical Baroque-style music that can start to sound too much the same after a while (Vivaldi for one). And as many other reviewers here note, this is a most attractive recording featuring some of the Baroque-era's more intriguing violin-sonata compositions as well as some of Andrew Manze's more alluring and musically-opulant playing. Rating: Composition 5, Performance 4.5, Sound quality 5.

most melodious violin sonatas I have ever heard.......2005-05-11

these days I am just suffering;however, luckily I have this CD as my companion. It gives me a lot of pleasure and soothes my troubled mind. Highly recommended. You will not regret buying this CD. Believe me.

Manze at his best.......2003-10-10

As a violin fanatic, I was very anxious to get my hands on this CD! However, I was not expecting it to be as wonderful as it is! Manze's intonation and technique are flawless, as always, and his up-beat tempos in the fast sections make what the entire concert exciting. The slow movements are played with care and not "astringent" like some other period-instrument performances I have heard. Manze is not the only star on this recording: the entire Romanesca Ensemble is superb in balance and technique. Since I love Biber's Rosenkranz Sontatas, I was happy to see the arrangment on this disc. Schmelzer seems to pick up right where Biber left off, giving the sonata a fun and exhilerating Turkish concept. Here's to yet another disc that beautifully introduces us to a virtually unknown Baroque composer! Highly recommended.

Double Bonus.......2002-01-26

Recently I discovered Biber's Violin Sonatas performed by Romanesca. I was so impressed with that CD, I decided to find out what else Andrew and his friends had been up to. That is when I discovered this CD. This has turned out to be a double bonus. Not only is the performance by Romanesca outstanding, but also I found Schmelzer to be quite intriguing. Everything the previous reviewers have said is absolutely true. Schmelzer is beautiful, lyrical, haunting, and yes he does fall into the Godiva category. To quantify this, this is the perfect morning CD if you are looking to be eased into your day as opposed to breaking into it with Vivaldi. It's also the perfect CD to unwind with after a stressful day. It's so emotional you can't help but be pulled out of your universe forgetting all your daytime woes.

Wonderful, scholarly rendition.......2001-08-25

This is a wonderful recording! Scholarly performance, beautifully rendered. This has quickly become one of my favourite early music recordings of all time. This is a great ensemble. I love the twang of the theorbo, especially the 'growl-twang' of the low notes when they're plucked hard. The theorbo is just a neat instrument, period. I'd be thrilled to play a harpsichord that sounds like this one. The continuo organ is a little gem. Vibrato on the violin is rare, sprinkled very judiciously as ornamentation only (the way it should be). On a scale of Hershey's to Godiva, this recording is way on the Godiva end! CAUTION: This is not schmaltzy classical music. It is unsuitable for the blue-haired.

Average customer rating:

Across the centuries and media

Biber: The Rosary Sonatas

Manufacturer: Avie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Biber: The Rosary Sonatas

ASIN: B0001W2ZV4
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Customer Reviews:

Across the centuries and media.......2005-05-02

This is a production that incorporates audio techniques that span the centuries and combines muisic, the spoken word, literature and visual art. The result is a bit unusual, but mostly effective.

Before each sonata is performed, a reading from a Rosary Psalter from the late Middle Ages is given by British actor Timothy West. He gives an imposing reading, sounding as if he were acting in a Shakespeare drama. You may enjoy this or be put off by it, depending on your tastes and mood. Frankly, the readings didn't interest me. But it's a small matter to program out the readings on your CD player if you want to.

The readings do serve a useful purpose, though. The Psalter description of each Mystery, along with the poetic meditation it provides, gives us great insight into the programmatic depiction contained in Biber's corresponding sonata. Other things help, too. James Clements' liner notes description of the musical technique Biber used to portray each Mystery is very useful. In fact, without those verbal and literary descriptions, I would never have guessed what Biber was trying to portray. On their own, the sonatas just sound like nondescript pieces of absolute music. Lastly, the engraving illustrations included in the original music manuscript are shown on the album's cover. At least I assume these are the original illustrations. The liner notes don't specifically say so. These illustrations are an additional aid for us to appreciate and understand the music.

Biber wrote these sonatas in a style with much gusto and frequently called for great virtuosity. Fortunately, Beznosiuk is up to the task. His performance of the Guardian Angel passacaglia really shines. His talent handles the music well, but in the effort to execute this tricky music, he ends up giving the music a modern feel instead of the needed Baroque feel. Biber calls for a different violin tuning with each sonata, which keeps things interesting. The instruments used by all the musicians are either period instruments or modern reproductions of period instruments. Yet, all the instruments sound modern! Maybe it's just my own perception.

One odd thing about the recording is the acoustics involved. It was recorded in St. Andrew's Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire. Apparently it's an old church. The reverb during the reading is almost distractingly strong. It's a very different story with the instruments, though. Here, in the same church, I hear no reverb or any sense of acoustical space. It may as well have been done in a modern recording studio. The continuo instruments come through clearly and prominently. Certainly not the Baroque sound we're used to. They intrude a bit on the solo violin's aural space. Some bad mixing on the engineers' part.

This production certainly stands apart among recordings of the Biber sonatas. The techniques involved may or may not appeal to you. Overall, I think it's an adventurous, change-of-pace rendition. All things considered, I would recommend it to you.

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Rosenkranz-Sonaten (Rosary Sonatas, AKA Mystery Sonatas) - Musica Antiqua Köln

Average customer rating:

An Inordinately Beautiful Recording of the Biber Mystery Sonatas
Beautiful compositions, performance and sound
Many mysteries shrouded in great music...
One of the Best Interpretations
A great performance of very unusual music

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Rosenkranz-Sonaten (Rosary Sonatas, AKA Mystery Sonatas) - Musica Antiqua Köln
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber , Reinhard Goebel , Musica Antiqua Köln , Phoebe Carrai , Andreas Holschneider , and Konrad Junghänel
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Biber: The Mystery Sonatas
Biber: The Rosary Sonatas

ASIN: B0000057DS
Release Date: 1991-07-08

Tracks:

I. The Annuciation
II. The Visitation
III. The Nativity
IV. The Presentation
V. The Finding in the Temple
VI. The Agony in the Garden
VII. The Scourging of Jesus
VIII. The Crowing of Jesus with Thorns

Tracks:

IX. Jesus carries His Cross
X. The Crucifixion
XI. The Resurrection
XII. The Ascension
XIII. The Descent of the Holy Ghost
XIV. The Assumption of our Lady
XV. The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Passacaglia

Customer Reviews:

An Inordinately Beautiful Recording of the Biber Mystery Sonatas.......2006-04-14

Much can be written about the difficulty of this music form the 17th Century by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber - and other reviewers here have given superb descriptions of those complexities - but the end result of works such as this is in the response it produces in the listener. Driving along the freeways on Maundy Thursday and hearing and excerpt form the work ('The Agony in the Garden') made this listener hurry home and put on the full recording!

Biber wrote these Mystery Sonatas to represent the three sets of mysteries from the Bible: the Birth, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Christ. Reinhard Goebel conducts the Musica Antigua K?ln in this impeccably performed recording of impossible music: the music is impossibly difficult to play and impossible not to draw and emotional response form the listener.

The sixteen sonatas are named as follows: Part I: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation, The Finding in the Temple Part II: The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging of Jesus, The Crowing of Jesus with Thorns, Jesus carries His Cross, The Crucifixion Part III: The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Ghost, The Assumption of our Lady, The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Passacaglia. With the simplest combination of instruments Biber was able to elicit the feelings of each of these mysteries.

For those who love Period Music this recording is a complete success and a treasure to own. For those who have yet to step into this ethereal world, this is a very fine beginning. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06

Beautiful compositions, performance and sound .......2005-11-26

Biber's so-called "Mystery Sonatas" are among the most alluring, meditative, virtuostic and amazingly beautiful compositions ever written for the violin - which this fine recording captures most vividly. Three aspects of this recording stand out as superb and make this CD a highly recommended recording for Biber's "Mystery Sonatas." The first is the extremely vivid and crystaline sound quality from DG, who created an ideally-resonant sound ambiance that brings out the mystery and depth of this music. Stunning. The second aspect is the most unique, mysterious and musically innovative compositions from the Austrian violin virtuoso and composer, Biber. The depth of emotive effects and degree of virtusosity immediately catch the attention of the listener and draws one into their mysteries (of the life of Christ). In addition to the "standard" harpsichord and/or therebo continuo, these sonatas also add deeply-resonant organ bass pedal-points that create a powerful and alluring backdrop for the drama of the solosit to unfold. Several reviews below give some valuable background info on these compositions if you are not familiar.

The last aspect that makes this recording special is the accomplished playing of Reinhard Goebels that is of the highest caliber. His technique in the 32nd-note passages is flawless, crisp and worthy of the finest accolades while the sensitive and soaring tonality he exudes in the slower movements is extremely attractive and never grating to the ear. Goebels plays this music not only with the utmost virtuosity but also with a well-judged passion - bringing drama while respecting Biber's sacred and meditative musical intentions by not overly "attacking" the music. His smooth lyricism honors Biber's contemplative designs. Personally, I prefer Goebel's artistry and tone in these works compared to Holloway or Manze, but the fine continuo playing from Romanesca adds to the allure of that recording (Harmoni Mundi). So, the combination of these three aspects along with some interesting notes from Goebels on the music and scordatura techniques make this a most desirable and recommended recording from Musica Antiqua Koln. I cannot say there are any "dull moments" or uninspired playing or composing anywhere on the entire 2 CD's - only the most skillfully and mysteriously composed music for violin and Baroque continuo. It remains one of the more unique compositions and an ever-fascinating study of the art of violin playing. And Musica Antique Koln honors this sacred music with the highest art and musical sensitivity. 5 stars for sure.

Many mysteries shrouded in great music..........2004-06-06

Fans of the violin, or baroque music in general, will enjoy this interesting collection of pieces subsumed under the title "Mystery Sonatas". All fifteen traditional "Mysteries of the Rosary"(compiled well before Pope John Paul II added 5 additional "mysteries" in 2002) are represented by a piece for violin, violincello, lute, organ, or harpsichord (with a concluding solo violin Passacaglia). Each segment of the work is gorgeously composed and performed. Overall the feeling is of contemplation, as if the piece were meant to provide a musical setting for contemplation of the mysteries. This theory makes sense prima facie, but the CD booklet reveals the abject paucity of information available about the work's origins and purpose. The date of composition is even in question. Biber did not choose to publish the work, and the title page of the manuscript is missing (the entire work had been considered lost until its rediscovery in the 1890s). It seems to have been a private work, not meant for public consumption. A lengthy dedication to Archibishop Maximillian Gandolph (reprinted in the CD booklet) sheds some much needed light on the who, what, and why of the piece, but regardless questions still remain. "Mystery Sonatas", consequently, aptly describes this work in more than one sense.

One of the remaining mysteries, and one of the amazing facts about any recording of this piece, is that each of the segments require different violin tunings. No one seems to know why the work was composed with such agonigingly varied tunings for violin (the manuscript apparently utilized tabulature). Now it's simply part of the "mystery". Regardless, the players here handle this piece amazingly well, and the results make for an amazing listen, however one wants to interpret the music. Violin aficionados could probably listen to this until their ears melt. I know mine are almost gone. The nearly two full hours of music are well worth the double CD price.

One of the Best Interpretations.......2003-12-23

Reinhard Goebel and members of the Musica Antiqua Köln perform the Mystery Sonatas by F.I. Biber who was born in 1644 and served most of his life as Kappelmeister of Salzburg until his death in 1700. Biber was a creative genius who composed various mostly liturgical works during his lifetime. Although not as well known as J.S. Bach and his reknown violin sonatas and partitas, Biber's violin sonatas are brilliant works in their own right that have much more free expression than Bach's highly technical sonatas.

Biber comes from the Italian and Catholic Baroque tradition of violin that was far more expressive in lyrical arrangements than contemporary German Protestant composers who were more restrictive and methodical in their works. Although it is sometimes the case with less known composers, Biber's works have not remained in obscurity because of any deficiency in style or ingenuity but simply more because the Baroque violin and its techniques had been abandoned for the use of the violin and new techniques advanced by High Baroque composers such as Correlli, Vivaldi, and Bach primarily. There are several renditions of this work presently on the market but this performance is technically superior in terms of both instruments and execution to each and every one. The works in here are extremely difficult to perform and Musica Antiqua Koln generally specializes in compositions in this style and their performance with traditional instruments. This album has the best overall performance in terms of proper technique and passion in its application bringing out incredibly rich pieces filled with both haunting and divine lyricism. The sound quality of this recording is also first class with volume and resonance while the others tend to be rather flat or static-like. Goebel really shines out in perfmorming these rather unconventional pieces and, out of every other performer who has played these pieces, he's the only violinist I've heard who could be given the honorary title of a being a Biber virtuoso.

I strongly recommend this recording to any one who loves the violin or Baroque violin pieces specifically. I warn any potential buyer that you will probably be disappointed with alternate performances by Manze/Romanesca as they tend to perform very academically and the differences in performance are very distinct. Manze's academic style is great for violinists studying Biber on technique and scale practice but, in my opinion, as a musician he is professionally inferior in every respect in comparison to Goebels who completely surpasses him in terms of fluidity and lyrical passion. Goebels doesn't get lost in fine tuning academic technique and emphasizes on performance while Manze fine tunes on technique and can't even realize how robotic and acoustically flat his performance is as a result.

A great performance of very unusual music.......2001-07-27

Biber wrote each of the 15 Rosary sonatas and the final passacaglia in different scordature (16 different scordature!!). To make things even more difficult, the sonatas were scored for violin and B.C. so, except for the bass line, all parts for the other instruments were either composed or improvised by the performers. Rather than just providing accompaniments, the members of Musica Antiqua Koeln show their amazing musicality by realizing one of the most beautiful performances of baroque music you can find.

Biber: Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten (The Rosary Sonatas, AKA The Mystery Sonatas)

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Biber: Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten (The Rosary Sonatas, AKA The Mystery Sonatas)

Manufacturer: Bmg Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E6V1
Release Date: 1990-08-07

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten (The Rosary Sonatas, AKA The Mystery Sonatas)

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Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten (The Rosary Sonatas, AKA The Mystery Sonatas)
Franzjoseph Maier (Baroque Violins) , Franz Lehrndorfer (Baroque Organs) , Konrad Junghänel (Theorbo) , and Max Engel (Baroque Cello)
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DOK3
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Sonaten über die Mysterien des Rosenkranzes (Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary) - Gunar Letzbor

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Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Sonaten über die Mysterien des Rosenkranzes (Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary) - Gunar Letzbor
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber , Lorenz Duftschmid , Gunar Letzbor , Wolfgang Zerer , Wolfgang Gluxam , Axel Wolf , Michael Oman , and Ulli Fussenegger
Manufacturer: Arcana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005B674
Release Date: 2001-04-10

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