Biber: Rosary Sonata no 16

Day 219

Biber: Rosary Sonata no 16  - Passacaglia in C minor Guardian angel

Rachel Podger

Biber’s Rosary Sonatas are one of the most important works in the early violin repertoire.They use a variety of techniques and are perhaps most famous for their use of Scordatura. The first 15 sonatas have continuo accompaniment but the last one is this extended passacaglia for solo violin. It dates from 1676 but was not published until 1905. There is much speculation on line that Bach was influenced by the piece when he came to write his Chaconne for solo violin as the final moment of his D minor partita, though there is no evidence that Bach actually knew the piece.

One can see why people make the connection because there is an obvious affinity between the two pieces. Both are solemn works in a minor key and use chordal and contrapuntal writing to make the violin sound as it it were a small ensemble. I really enjoyed listening to Biber’s piece - it had a real musical value which took it well beyond just being an exercise in violin technique.  How violinists keep up the intensity of bow pressure required for a piece like this, with virtually no room to breathe, is completely beyond me but Rachel Podger, whose recordings of solo Bach I treasure, is completely in control of every aspect of this peice,