Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Mystery Sonatas
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, violin
Battalia Ensemble
Annamari Pölhö, keyboards
Eero Palviainen, lutes, guitar, organ
Mika Suihkonen, violone
Track listing
16 tracks · 124:34Listen to samples on selected tracks.
CD 1
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
- 1 Sonata I d-moll 5:55
- 2 Sonata II A-Dur 4:56
- 3 Sonata III h-moll 6:32
- 4 Sonata IV d-moll 7:54
- 5 Sonata V A-Dur 7:38
- 6 Sonata VI c-moll 8:02
- 7 Sonata VII F-Dur 9:15
- 8 Sonata VIII B-Dur 5:40
- 9 Sonata IX a-moll 6:55
- 10 Sonata X g-moll 8:27
CD2
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
- 1 Sonata XI G-Dur 7:12
- 2 Sonata XII C-Dur 7:32
- 3 Sonata XIII d-moll 7:00
- 4 Sonata XIV D-Dur 8:42
- 5 Sonata XV C-Dur 13:26
- 6 Sonata XVI g-moll 9:28
About this recording
New Ondine release includes Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's (1644-1704) 16 Mystery Sonatas, also known as Rosary Sonatas. This set of virtuosic violin sonatas is Biber's most well-known work. They also serve as unique masterpieces of the Baroque violin repertoire. In the present recording violinist Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch is joined by the Finnish Baroque ensemble Battalia.
Biber's Mystery Sonatas feature 15 rosary mysteries from the life of Jesus and Virgin Mary. One of the most prominent characteristics of Biber's work is the use of various tunings, i.e. scordatura. Out of the sixteen sonatas, fourteen require the use of ‘mistuned' violin.
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch is nowadays in great demand as a leader of countless renowned early music ensembles and orchestras, performing music of the Baroque and symphonies of the age of Mozart and Schubert. Her solo repertoire includes works by Biber, Johann Sebastian Bach, and solo violin works of the 16th and 17th centuries. She also plays the viola and viola d'amore. Among her numerous tasks, she has also worked 10 years as the leader of Philippe Herreweghe's Collegium Vocale.
Kaakinen-Pichl has also recorded a double-CD of Johann Sebastian Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas for Ondine.
Press
Finnish violinist Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch provides us with a powerful account of Biber's masterpiece, bringing nobility, exuberance, severity and a strong contemplative dimension as and when the music requires. There is also a lively depictive element which she realises with vivid but restrained gestures (...). Here are performances which capture south German Baroque flamboyance on the one hand and a deeply reflective spirit on the other (...). An outstanding release.
Performance: , Recording:
Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music Magazine, December 2014
Extraordinary performance
Caroline Gill, Gramophone, September 2014, Gramophone Editor's Choice
The artists
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch is an unusually versatile violinist. Though she plays music of every era, the emphasis in her repertoire is on the 17th to 19th centuries. She also plays the viola and viola d’amore and leads the orchestra or conducts from the front desk.
Also recommended
Christoph Graupner
Orchestral Suites
Finnish Baroque Orchestra · Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, violin & conductor · Petra Aminoff, transverse flute · Tindaro Capuano, chalumeau · Asko Heiskanen, chalumeau* · Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch, viola d'amore · Krzysztof Stencel, baroque horn · Jani Sunnarborg, bassoon
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