Violinist Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque perform Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s Sonata No.3 in F major, C 140: V. Variatio.
The work features on the new album, Just Biber, which features Sonatas from Biber’s 1681 collection Sonatæ Violino Solo and his theatrical Sonata Representivo. These works are extremely virtuosic with extensive multiple stopping and dazzling passages of stylus fantasticus.
In Biber’s time, harmony was something cosmic, vibrating in a God-given resonance between human, instrumental and celestial bodies. Dedicated to Archbishop Maximilian Gandolf, the sonatas were not only designed to delight, but also potentially to balm and heal; Biber described the sonatas as a kind of prayer for the Archbishop’s longevity and good health.
’Biber’s music sounds quite avant-garde and crazy at times, but then you also get these incredibly still moments, when the music just seems to stop, says Podger.
’You know that the story is continuing, but it’s like seeing a bird fly and it hovers and it sees something and then it goes where it goes. I adore those poetic and magical moments in these sonatas! You just don’t know what is going to happen next, and these contrasting sections are what make this music so exciting.
’Even though it was published in 1681, it feels like this music was composed yesterday!’
Podger shared her insights on the recording process, which will be featured in The Strad’s August 2025 Session Report - on sale 16 July. Just Biber is released on Outhere Music on Friday 4 July.
Read: ‘It’s a real partnership’: Rachel Podger on her violin and bow
Listen: The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
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