H. I. F. Biber: The Mystery Sonatas

Heinrich Biber's Mystery (or `Rosary') Sonatas, like Bach's Sonatas and Partitas, are among the pinnacles of early violin literature with immensely demanding solo writing using 15 kinds of tunings (scordatura). Without doubt Biber's masterpiece, these 15 Sonatas for violin and continuo (dating from 1670-80) tell the story of Christ in instrumental terms. In her informative liner notes Maya Homburger says: "They were conceived in all likelihood to accompany the rosary devotions in Salzburg and to be meditations in the traditional sense of Catholic Mysticism. The continuo group chosen for this recording allows us to bring out a wide variety of colours and illustrate closely the rapid emotional changes within the music."

Born and educated in Zurich, Switzerland, Maya Homburger moved to England in 1986 to join John Eliot Gardiner's English Baroque Soloists, Trevor Pinnock's The English Concert and other period instrument groups. Since then she has devoted her time to developing her own personal style on the baroque violin, specialising more and more in chamber music and solo performance. Maya plays an Italian baroque violin, made by Antonio dalla Costa, Treviso in 1740 which is in its original baroque condition.

Maya is leader of the groups The Chandos Baroque Players and Trio Virtuoso. In addition, she often performs throughout Europe with double bassist Barry Guy combining baroque and new compositions and improvisations. In 2000 she was one of the leaders and soloists for Gardiner's famous Bach pilgrimage to cathedrals and churches all over Europe where she performed 52 of Bach's Cantatas. The German label ECM released the first CD of the Duo Homburger/Guy called "Ceremony" with works by Barry Guy and H.I.F. Biber for baroque violin and double bass.

Musicians: Maya Homburger - (baroque violin), Camerata Kilkenny: Siobhan Armstrong - (harp), Sarah Cunningham - (viola da gamba), Brian Feehan - (theorbo), Malcolm Proud - (organ, harpsichord), Barry Guy - (double bass)

Composer: Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber

Number of Discs: 2

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