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Heinrich Ignaz Biber

Mensa Sonora, Pars V Play Play

Ensemble

Recorded on 06/05/2008, uploaded on 10/10/2010

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Mensa Sonora, Pars V Heinrich Ignaz Biber

Allegro, Balletto, Trezza, Gigue, Gavotte, Gigue, Retirada

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber represents the finest work of any violinist during the seventeenth century. Although born a Bohemian, he spent the lion's share of his career in the service of the Kapelle (musical establishment with churchly overtones) in Salzburg. He had entered this service in 1670 or 71 and remained a member of the Kapelle until his death in 1704. It seems that he had long desired a noble title—a petition to the Emperor, Leopold I, made in 1681 was denied, but a similar petition, dated nine years later, was approved, thus giving Biber the "von" before his surname.

Biber was known and respected during his life and after it as well. The great Tyrolean violin maker, Jacob Stainer, referred to him as "the formidable virtuoso, Biber," and the English historian, Charles Burney, some years later says the following of him: "of all the violin players of the last century, Biber seems to have been the best, and his solos are the most difficult and the most fanciful of any music I have seen of the same period." While Biber is best know for his violin sonatas, his ensemble music shows a creative and assured composer. The collection called "Mensa sonora," was published in 1680—like some music of the seventeenth century, this collection is scored for violin, two violas and basso continuo (the tradition of using two interior parts such as this was popular in France and in parts of Switzerland, possibly a legacy of the part writing of Lully). Biber, by his title, implies a sort of musical entertainment—the suite heard tonight comprises short sonatas and various dances and will form part of Baroque Band's first recording to be made in the next two weeks. David Schrader