Biber Sonatas

[DavidW]

Not looking for buying (just streaming through spotify) so don't talk or consider in terms of pricing... just which do you prefer?

[Bogey]

I have the Manze and love it, David.

[DavidW]

Thanks Bill I'll listen to that one.

[Leon]

I have the Manze and love it, David.

Me too; however, it is the only set I have.

[prémont]

The ones I own are Holloway(Virgin), Manze(Harm. Mundi) ,Reiter(Brilliant), Letzbor(Arcana) and Lautenbecher(Vox).
I have a certain preponderance for Lautenbacher even if her recording isn´ PI.  But my vote is Holloway.

[DavidW]

Well with this enthusiasm for Holloway I'll have to switch over tomorrow.

[Gurn Blanston]

Your question is pretty vague for me, David. I have (and really like) Holloway in the Rosary Sonatas. And I have (and really like) Manze (with Romanesca) in other sonatas. I don't have them both in the same repertoire, so I can't compare them. Guess it depends what you are wanting to listen to. 

[DavidW]

Your question is pretty vague for me, David. I have (and really like) Holloway in the Rosary Sonatas. And I have (and really like) Manze (with Romanesca) in other sonatas. I don't have them both in the same repertoire, so I can't compare them. Guess it depends what you are wanting to listen to. 

Sorry I only meant the Rosary Sonatas, was not aware there were others.

[Gurn Blanston]

Quote from: DavidW on Today at 07:40:42 PM

Sorry I only meant the Rosary Sonatas, was not aware there were others.

Yeah, he wrote a pisspot full of violin music. Wonderful stuff, so far ahead of his time it's not funny! See if your spotify has this set;


In addition to the keyboard BC, it uses a theorbo and archlute. First rate.

[DavidW]

They don't have that, they do have Lieberman, Robbins and Kroll.

[Gurn Blanston]

They don't have that, they do have Lieberman, Robbins and Kroll.

Now, that looks interesting! I would give it a try if you already like what you've heard from Biber. Another one that I have is this one here;



Plantier is a very fine fiddler too, although less well-known.

[Antoine Marchand]

Quote from: DavidW on Today at 07:40:42 PM

Sorry I only meant the Rosary Sonatas, was not aware there were others.

Yeah, he wrote a pisspot full of violin music. Wonderful stuff, so far ahead of his time it's not funny! See if your spotify has this set;


In addition to the keyboard BC, it uses a theorbo and archlute. First rate.

Gurn has recalled me these two recordings:

[asin]B00006I61G[/asin][asin]B0000XK7LE[/asin]

Both of them are great, with wonderful continuo.

[TheGSMoeller]

I mentioned on another thread that the Manze slightly beats the Holloway in the Rosary Sonatas, but that's not to discount Holloway.
The recording quality of Manze(Harmonia Mundi) is closer with a more intimate atmosphere, whereas the Holloway (Virgin) feels distant but the reverb adds an other-worldly element which is very haunting. I would recommend both, but I find the Manze to be very consistent with a complete listen.

And as Gurn said, there is much too enjoy and admire from Biber, here are a few others I recommend...




seems my first recommendation has several different covers.
And if you want to go even further, Biber wrote great musc for Trumpets and Choir.

[Antoine Marchand]

BTW, this would be a great re-release:

[prémont]

BTW, this would be a great re-release:

Maybe. Unfortunately I do not know it.

BTW I have considered Alice Pierot on Alpha, partly because of her fine Bach, partly because her Biber got fine reviews, Do you know this?

[Antoine Marchand]

Maybe. Unfortunately I do not know it.

I have only listened to some excerpts, but I think Goebel's style is particularly suited to the Stylus Phantasticus and the Gallant Style.

BTW I have considered Alice Pierot on Alpha, partly because of her fine Bach, partly because her Biber got fine reviews, Do you know this?

No, I don't know it. I just have Holloway, Manze, Reiter & Bismuth.

[DavidW]

Thanks everyone!  I enjoyed living with these atmospheric, melodic sonatas for a spell and in the future will revisit this thread to track down the recs for the non-rosary sonatas.