Mystery Sonatas

Album by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber & Mayumi Hirasaki

Mystery Sonatas is a collection of sonatas by Bohemian-Austrian composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, composed circa 1674–1676. The pieces employ demanding violin techniques and scordatura tunings within a Baroque idiom, using programme-like depictions of the Rosary mysteries and occupying a distinctive place in 17th-century instrumental repertoire.
First released: 14th October 2022

Tracklist

  1. 1.
    Sonata I in D minor, C. 90 “The Annunciation”: Praeludium – Variatio – Aria allegro – Variatio – Adagio – Finale
    6:07
  2. 2.
    Sonata II in A major, C. 91 “The Visitation”: Sonata – Presto – Allemanda – Presto
    4:54
  3. 3.
    Sonata III in B minor, C. 92 “The Nativity”: Sonata – Presto – Adagio – Courente – Double – Adagio
    7:59
  4. 4.
    Sonata IV in D minor, C. 93 “The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”: Ciacona – Adagio piano – Presto – Adagio
    7:48
  5. 5.
    Sonata V in A major, C. 94 “The Discovery in the Temple”: Praeludium – Presto – Allamanda – Guiguè – Sarabanda – Double
    6:54
  6. 6.
    Sonata VI in C minor, C. 95 “Christ on the Mount of Olives”: Lamento – Adagio – Presto – Adagio- Adagio – Adagio
    7:39
  7. 7.
    Sonata VII in F major, C. 96 “The Scourging at the Pillar”: Allamanda – Variatio – Sarabanda – Variatio I – Variatio II – Variatio III
    7:48
  8. 8.
    Sonata VIII in B-flat major, C. 97 “The Crown of Thorns”: Sonata – Adagio – Presto – Guiguè – Double. Presto – Double II
    6:19
  9. 9.
    Sonata IX in A minor, C. 98 “The Carrying of the Cross”: Sonata – Courente – Double I – Double II – Finale
    8:35
  10. 10.
    Sonata X in G minor, C. 99 “The Crucifixion”: Praeludium – Aria – Variatio – Adagio
    10:06
  11. 11.
    Sonata XI in G major, C. 100 “The Resurrection”: Sonata – Surrexit Christus hodie – Adagio
    8:50
  12. 12.
    Sonata XII in C major, C. 101 “The Ascension”: Intrada – Aria tubicinum – Allamanda – Courente – Double
    7:10
  13. 13.
    Sonata XIII in D minor, C. 102 “The Descent of the Holy Ghost”: Sonata – Gavotte – Guiguè – Sarabanda
    7:21
  14. 14.
    Sonata XIV in D major, C. 103 “The Assumption of the Virgin”: (-) – Grave – Adagio – Aria – Aria – Guiguè
    9:46
  15. 15.
    Sonata XV in C major, C. 104 “The Coronation of the Virgin”: Sonata – Aria – Canzon – Sarabanda
    12:38
  16. 16.
    Sonata XVI in G minor, C. 105 “Guardian Angel”: Passacaglia – Adagio – Allegro – Adagio
    9:45

Credits