Facts : 1 Instrumental music Biber s finest scordatura writing is represented in two collections
Facts : 2 1676 and is known variously as Mystery Sonatas, Rosary Sonatas (Mysterien Sonaten, Die Rosenkranz-Sonaten), Copper-Plate Engraving Sonatas, etc., remaining unpublished during the composer s lifetime
Facts : 3 It comprises sixteen pieces: fifteen sonatas for violin and continuo portraying the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary, and a long passacaglia for solo violin
Facts : 4 In the extant copy of the collection, each piece is accompanied by a small engraving depicting the mystery it portrays, while the image (an ink drawing) preceding the passacaglia depicts a guardian angel with a child
Facts : 5 Only the first and the last pieces use normal tuning; all others employ some form of scordatura: The sonatas were dedicated to Maximilian Gandolph von Khuenburg, whom Biber addresses in the preface: I have consecrated the whole to the honour of the XV Sacred Mysteries, which you promote so strongly
Facts : 6 Although unpublished during the composer s lifetime, these works are his most popular pieces today, and one of the reasons for the revival of interest in his music
Facts : 7 The entire set has been recorded by numerous violinists such as John Holloway, Andrew Manze, and many others
Facts : 8 Sonata 15 is famous for one of its themes, which matches the theme of Paganini s Caprice No
Facts : 9 24 almost exactly; it is possible that Paganini was inspired by Biber, just as Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and Sergei Rachmaninoff were later inspired by Paganini s Caprice
Facts : 10 The second work in which Biber explored scordatura techniques is Harmonia artificioso-ariosa (1696), his last known published collection of instrumental music
Facts : 11 It contains seven partitas for two instruments and basso continuo: five for two violins, one for two violas d amore, and one for violin and viola
Facts : 12 Six of the partitas require scordatura tunings, including those for viola and two violas d amore; Biber utilises the full potential of the technique, including all possibilities for complex polyphony: some of the pieces are in five parts, with both of the melodic instruments carrying two
Facts : 13 Interestingly, no other chamber works by Biber use such devices, and the only other pieces to use scordatura are two of the sonatas included in Sonatae violino solo of 1681
Facts : 14 That collection comprises eight sonatas for violin and basso continuo, all noted already by