Customer Reviews

Biber: Mysteriensonaten

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this CD. The music is meditative and profound. Very spare, almost minimalist, and yet emotionally compelling. The different sonatas capture the feeling tone of the various mysteries of the rosary. Even if you are not intrigued by the rosary analogy, the music stands on its own as a work of beauty. The final passagalia for solo violin is especially gorgeous.

This is the best rendition of this multirecorded Biber's work. Marianne Rhonez is a discrete an sober violinist that puts her art in musical service not the contrary as many others do. His version is not as elusive and virtuosistic as Reinhard Goebel's in Archiv or Riccardo Minasi in Arts both near to manierism in their performances, but Marianne has the key to express all mysteries and divinity of this masterpieces.

There are many versions of these sonatas to be had. I have heard quite a few, but none better than this one. I think what sets it apart is the French bow she uses. It gives her violin (or violins) a different tone; one which I seem to favor. It doesn't get 5 stars because of the drekhaus packaging it comes in. But for the playing and the recording of these scoradatura sonatae, this is the best one out there.

Maybe this seems to be besides the point but this comes in the w-o-r-s-t packaging I have ever encountered. You run the risk of damaging the CD every time you try to extricate it from its berth. It practically *scrapes* Plus, no text, credits that utterly sacrifice information to graphic design (not my taste in graphic art, either, I might add). The presentation couldn't be worse.

Okay, so the music & the performance are the main reason for spending thirty ($30!!!) dollars. But at this price, let me tell you, a less pretension & a little more common sense would smooth the way to the stereo.

The performance is, yes, rigorous, meditative, finely etched... But I'm so angry about the presentation-- if I could get my money back, I would. If I'd spent less, I'd pitch it right out the window.

Perhaps with a little more listening...and by replacing the dreadful sleeve with a humble plastic jewel case, I may grow to prize the musicanship. But Winter and Winter, if you ever read this, you've lost my custom for good. I'll never ever buy another one of your products. No matter what. No matter where. And if I were the violinist, I'd strangle you.