Biber: Music from a Real Bohemian

Vanitas Still Life by Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraeten

One of my favorite baroque composers in Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber. His music has a rich intricacy that keeps the ear engaged but never overwhelmed. There is an elegant progression to his compositional style. This is most obvious in my favorite piece, the Mensa Sonora seu Musica Instrumentalis (1680). Yeah, it is a series of courtly dance pieces, but I like dance music even if it's over three centuries old. ;-)

Here is a bit of the Mensa Sonora:

And here is Biber's most famous work, the Passacaglia for violin solo in G minor from the Mystery Sonatas. Haunting, yet entrancing.

So, if you've never listened to Biber's music before, then take the opportunity to today to remedy the situation. The Mensa Sonora and the Mystery Sonatas are great pieces to develop an appreciate for this master of the Baroque.

Enjoy!!!