Biber - Mystery (Rosary) Sonata No. 13, "Pentecost"

This sonata, part of Biber's larger collection of 15 Mystery Sonatas, captures the biblical event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Biber's remarkable scordatura (alternative tuning) techniques and evocative musical expressions truly transport listeners to a realm of reflection and spiritual immersion.

🎵 Composition Details:

Composer: Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Work: Mystery (Rosary) Sonata No. 13
Title: "Pentecost"

🎻 About the Mystery Sonatas:
Written in the late 1670s, Biber's Mystery Sonatas are a set of 15 sonatas and a passacaglia, each depicting significant events in the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. "Pentecost" vividly portrays the rush of the "mighty wind" and the "tongues of fire" associated with this biblical episode.

💡 Did you know?
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber was one of the most important composers for the violin in the history of the instrument. His extensive use of scordatura, a technique of re-tuning the strings, not only expanded the sonic possibilities of the violin but also created vivid tonal colors that enhanced the emotive narratives of his compositions.