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5.0 out of 5 stars
Sacred-Profane Fiddle Music, June 26, 2010
This review is from: Biber: Fidicinium Sacro Profanum (Audio CD)
Perhaps best known for his works for solo violin, Biber also excelled at writing rich-textured consort music for strings. One example is FIDICINIUM SACRO-PROFANUM (Biber was fond of such fanciful Latin titles; this one could be translated "Sacred-Profane Fiddle Music"), published in 1683 and consisting of twelve sonatas. Biber scored most of the sonatas for two pairs each of violins and violas, plus cello, violone and continuo (the last four sonatas dispense with the second violin). As the collection's title suggests, this is music which mixes sacred and secular styles. Sometimes Biber will commence with a stately paragraph of polyphony, then burst forth with a rumbustious allegro full of dance rhythms and gymnastic counterpoint. This is mercurial music, as 17th-century instrumental music tends to be, but in the best of the sonatas the short episodes build into a powerful and cogent musical argument. Indeed, the earlier sonatas in particular contain some of Biber's finest music.
Having enjoyed the recent CD of Westhoff's violin sonatas featuring David Plantier and his group Les Plaisirs du Parnasse, I was prepared for another refined rendition of baroque chamber music and was not disappointed. Right from the start, we are treated to a dark and expressive sound reminiscent of rich coffee. The group rises to the occasion in the fast sections, showing superb ensemble and rhythmic pungency in the wild cross-rhythms. This is baroque string ensemble playing of the highest caliber. The recorded sound is clear and present, allowing us to hear the richness of the viola parts in particular. Altogether, an outstanding disc that will please all Biberphiles.
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