Catalogue

Summary:

Bohemian Catholic composer Heinrich Biber was arguably the most distinguished 17th century composer of instrumental music for the church. His output was not extensive but it was extraordinary, especially his best-known opus, The Rosary Sonatas of the 1670s. Depicting the 15 mysteries of the rosary, these works are remarkable for their vivid programmatic nature, the use of extended techniques such as scordatura (retuning of the violin strings), and virtuostic writing (Biber himself was an accomplished violinist).

Pavlo Beznosiuk, who has been described as a virtuostic artist with “star quality” whose “playing is full of fantasy”, is joined by an ensemble of England’s leading period-instrument performers. Avie’s version is unique for its inclusion of the spoken texts which would have been read during Rosary devotions in the 1670s, here eloquently delivered by well-known television and stage actor Timothy West.

> We’re so very sad to learn of Timothy West’s passing on 12 November 2024. Everyone at Avie Records extends our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We’re enormously proud that he graced our very special recording of the Biber Rosary Sonatas.

Tracklist:

HEINRICH IGNAZ FRANZ VON BIBER (1664–1704)

The Rosary Sonatas

CD 1

The Five Joyful Mysteries
1. Reading – The Rosary (0:52)
Sonata 1 – The Annunciation
2. Reading (1:41)
3. Praeludium – Aria Allegro/Variatio – Finale (6:08)
Sonatas 2 – The Visitation
4. Reading (0:55)
5. Sonata – Allamad[da] – Presto (5:04)
Sonata 3 – The Nativity
6. Reading (1:42)
7. Sonata – Courente/Double – Adagio (7:42)
Sonata 4 – The Presentation in The Temple
8. Reading (1:10)
9. Ciacona (7:22)
Sonata 5 – The Finding in The Temple
10. Reading (1:09)
11. Praeludium – Allaman[da] – Guigue – Saraban[da] (7:53)

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries
Sonata 6 – The Agony in The Garden
12. Reading (2:39)
13. Lamento – Presto – Adagio – Adagio (7:43)
Sonata 7 – The Scouraging
14. Reading (1:12)
15. Allamanda/Variatio – Sarab[anda]/Variatio (9:03)
Sonata 8 – The Crowning with Thorns
16. Reading (0:52)
17. Sonata – Guigue/double/double 2 (6:10)
Sonata 9 – The Carrying of The Cross
18. Reading (2:23)
19. Sonata – Courente/Double – Finale (8:06)

Total time CD 1: 79.47

CD 2

Sonata 10 – The Crucifixion
1. Reading (3:31)
2. Praeludium – aria/Variatio (8:25)

The Five Glorious Mysteries
Sonata 11 – The Ressurrection
3. Reading (1:52)
4. Sonata – Surexit Christus Hodie – adagio (8:17)
Sonata 12 – The Ascension
5. Reading (1:15)
6. Intrada – Aria Tubicinum – Allamanda – Courent/Double (7:47)
Sonata 13 – The Descent of The Holy Ghost
7. Reading (1:00)
8. Sonata – Gavott – Guigue – Sarabanda (10:04)
Sonata 14 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
9. Reading (0:46)
10. [Praeludium] – Aria – Aria – Guigue (8:24)
Sonata 15 – The Coronation of The Blessed Virgin
11. Reading (1:48)
12. Sonata – Aria – Canzon – Sarabanda (11.54)
The Guardian Angel
13. Reading (2:03)
14. Passagalia (9:59)
Total time CD 2: 77:18

Recorded 30 November – 4 December 2003, at St. Andrew’s Church, Toddington
Produced and engineered by John Hadden