1/ Heinrich Ignaz Franz BIBER (1644-1704): Rosary (Mystery) Sonatas

Lucie Sedláková Hůlová – Baroque violin
Jaroslav Tůma – organ (harpsichord)

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Programme example:
Passagalia for Solo Violin senza scordatura The Guardian Angel
Sonata 1 d minor, senza scordatura The Annunciation
Sonata 2 A Major, scordatura a e’ a’ e” The Visitation
Sonata 14 D Major, scordatura a e’ a’ d” The Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Sonata 15 C Major, scordatura g c’ g’ d” The Coronation of the Virgin Mary

This programme presents a unique work of its kind – the cycle of Rosary Sonatas by one of the most important Baroque musicians, Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, a native of Wartenberg (Stráž pod Ralskem) in Northern Bohemia, in an authentic interpretation following the author’s original prescription, using the so-called violin scordatura (a special technique of re-tuning the strings in order to achieve a specific tone colour and make possible the  unusual harmonic chords commonly used in the Baroque period).

The Rosary Sonatas have a spiritual theme (each sonata sets one rosary secret to music) therefore the most suitable place for a concert performance is in a church using the organ or in the chapel using a positive organ or a harpsichord. The choice of the Rosary Sonatas may be discussed according to the occasion and may be combined also with solo organ / harpsichord works or a spiritual lecture.

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