822252265620

Biber: Mystery (Rosary) Sonatas

Alan Choo; Apollo's Fire; Jeannette Sorrell

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Format: 2CD

Cat No: AV2656

Release Date:  01 March 2024

Label:  Avie

Packaging Type:  Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  822252265620

Genres:  Classical  Baroque  

  • Description

    The Mystery Sonatas by Austrian composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, believed to have been penned in the 1670s, remain unsurpassed for their virtuosity and extended use of scordatura, a unique tuning system that underscores different aural colours and timbres of the violin, thereby illuminating the pictorial themes of the Rosary - the processions devoted to major moments in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary - which Biber's work depicts.

    Singaporean violinist Alan Choo, the vibrant leader of acclaimed baroque ensemble Apollo's Fire, headlines a dynamic and descriptive recording of the Mystery Sonatas, enhancing the scordatura with six different violins that require 15 individual tunings. He explains, "The use of a unique scordatura tuning for each sonata means that a violinist needs to use multiple violins if performing several of the pieces in the same week - each violin kept at the tuning of its respective sonata. Otherwise, the constant re-tuning of a violin would destabilize its tuning. I used a total of six violins in this recording. The personality of each instrument shines through."

    Joined by a chamber ensemble of his Apollo's Fire colleagues, including founding director Jeannette Sorrell on harpsichord, Choo navigates Biber's extended techniques with aplomb and devotion to the 15 programmatic sonatas which are compiled into three cycles - the Joyful Mysteries (the Angel Gabriel delivers the news to Mary that she will be the mother of the Messiah), Sorrowful Mysteries (Jesus' agony, knowing he is about to be betrayed) and Glorious Mysteries (the Resurrection of Christ and his ascent to heaven) - and are crowned by the timeless finale, Passacaglia for solo violin.

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Biber: Mystery (Rosary) Sonata: No. 1 in D Minor The Annunciation: I. Praeludium
      • 2. No.1 in D Minor The Annunciation: II. Aria (Allegro) - Variatio - Finale
      • 3. No. 2 in A Major The Visitation: I. Sonata
      • 4. No. 2 in A Major The Visitation: II. Allaman
      • 5. No. 2 in A Major The Visitation: III. Presto
      • 6. No. 3 in B Minor The Nativity: I. Sonata
      • 7. No. 3 in B Minor The Nativity: II. Courente - Double
      • 8. No. 3 in B Minor The Nativity: III. Adagio
      • 9. No. 4 in D Minor The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: Ciacona
      • 10. No. 5 in A Major The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: I. Praeludium
      • 11. No. 5 in A Major The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: II. Allaman
      • 12. No. 5 in A Major The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: III. Guigue
      • 13. No. 5 in A Major The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: IV. Saraban - Double
      • 14. No. 6 in C Minor The Agony in the Garden: I. Lamento
      • 15. No. 6 in C Minor The Agony in the Garden: II. [Aria] - Adagio
      • 16. No. 7 in F Major The Scourging at the Pillar: I. Allamanda - Variatio
      • 17. No. 7 in F Major The Scourging at the Pillar: II. Sarabanda - Variatio
      • 18. No. 8 in B flat Major The Crowning with Thorns: I. Sonata: Adagio - Presto- [Adagio]
      • 19. No. 8 in B flat Major The Crowning with Thorns: II. Guigue - Double (Presto) - Double II
      • 20. No. 9 in A Minor The Carrying of the Cross: I. Sonata
      • 21. No. 9 in A Minor The Carrying of the Cross: II. Courente - Double - [Double II]
      • 22. No. 9 in A Minor The Carrying of the Cross: III. Finale
      • 23. No. 10 in G Minor The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus: I. Praeludium
      • 24. No. 10 in G Minor The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus: II. Aria - Variatio

      Disc 2

      • 1. No. 11 in G Major The Resurrection: I. Sonata
      • 2. No. 11 in G Major The Resurrection: II. Surrexit Christus hodie
      • 3. No. 11 in G Major The Resurrection: III. Adagio
      • 4. No. 12 in C Major The Ascension: I. Intrada
      • 5. No. 12 in C Major The Ascension: II. Aria Tubicinum
      • 6. No. 12 in C Major The Ascension: III. Allamanda
      • 7. No. 12 in C Major The Ascension: IV. Courente - Double
      • 8. No. 13 in D Minor The Descent of the Holy Spirit: I. Sonata
      • 9. No. 13 in D Minor The Descent of the Holy Spirit: II. Gavott - Guigue
      • 10. No. 13 in D Minor The Descent of the Holy Spirit: III. Sarabanda
      • 11. No. 14 in D Major The Assumption of Mary into Heaven: I. [Praeludium]
      • 12. No. 14 in D Major The Assumption of Mary into Heaven: II. Aria - Aria II -Guigue
      • 13. No. 15 in C Major The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth: I. Sonata
      • 14. No. 15 in C Major The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth: II. Aria - [Variatio]
      • 15. No. 15 in C Major The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth: III. Canzon
      • 16. No. 15 in C Major The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth: IV. Sarabanda
      • 17. No. 16 in G Minor The Guardian Angel: Passacaglia