Eduard Melkus brought Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's (1644-1704) Rosary Sonatas (Rosenkranzsonaten) to new life with his groundbreaking 1967 recording; in the six decades that have passed since then, the pieces, which are as virtuoso as they are meditative in mood, have conquered a firm place in the discographies of ambitious baroque violinists. The Austrian violinist Gunar Letzbor has been considered one of the leading interpreters of this famous cycle since he recorded his interpretation on album for the Arcana label in 1996. The success was overwhelming: the critics were enthusiastic and the recording is still today available in the label's catalogue. Letzbor gave countless concerts with sonatas from Biber's epochal work, earning himself a reputation as the Biber expert. In 2019, more than two decades later, richer in experience, in life and as an artist, Letzbor again dares to perform Biber's Rosary Sonatas. The new recording is not only more than 20 minutes longer than the 1996 recording, it also incorporates the latest research results, such as the "Salzburger Lautensatz", an instrumentation of the lute continuo typical of Biber's Salzburg days. In a detailed, highest readable booklet text Letzbor gives detailed information about his new approach.

Tracklist:

Rosenkranzsonate No. 1 In D Minor, C 90 "The Annunciation": I. Praeludium
Rosenkranzsonate No. 1 In D Minor, C 90 "The Annunciation": II. Aria Allegro - Variatio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 1 In D Minor, C 90 "The Annunciation": III. Adagio - Finale
Rosenkranzsonate No. 2 In A Major, C 91 "Mary's Visit To Elizabeth": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 2 In A Major, C 91 "Mary's Visit To Elizabeth": II. Allemande
Rosenkranzsonate No. 2 In A Major, C 91 "Mary's Visit To Elizabeth": III. Presto
Rosenkranzsonate No. 3 In B Minor, C 92 "The Nativity": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 3 In B Minor, C 92 "The Nativity": II. Courante - Double
Rosenkranzsonate No. 3 In B Minor, C 92 "The Nativity": III. Adagio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 4 In D Minor, C 93 "The Presentation"
Rosenkranzsonate No. 5 In A Major, C 94 "Child Jesus In The Temple": I. Praeludium
Rosenkranzsonate No. 5 In A Major, C 94 "Child Jesus In The Temple": II. Allemande
Rosenkranzsonate No. 5 In A Major, C 94 "Child Jesus In The Temple": III. Gigue
Rosenkranzsonate No. 5 In A Major, C 94 "Child Jesus In The Temple": IV. Sarabande - Double
Rosenkranzsonate No. 6 In C Minor, C 95 "The Agony In The Garden": Ia. Lamento
Rosenkranzsonate No. 6 In C Minor, C 95 "The Agony In The Garden": Ib. Adagio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 6 In C Minor, C 95 "The Agony In The Garden": Ic. Adagio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 7 In F Major, C 96 "The Scourging Of Jesus": I. Allemande - Variatio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 7 In F Major, C 96 "The Scourging Of Jesus": II. Sarabande - Variatio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 8 In B-Flat Major, C 97 "The Crown Of Thorns": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 8 In B-Flat Major, C 97 "The Crown Of Thorns": II. Gigue - Doubles I & II
Rosenkranzsonate No. 9 In A Minor, C 98 "Carrying The Cross": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 9 In A Minor, C 98 "Carrying The Cross": II. Courante - Double
Rosenkranzsonate No. 9 In A Minor, C 98 "Carrying The Cross": III. Finale
Rosenkranzsonate No. 10 In G Minor, C 99 "The Crucifixion": I. Praeludium
Rosenkranzsonate No. 10 In G Minor, C 99 "The Crucifixion": II. Aria - Variatio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 11 In G Major, C 100 "The Resurrection": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 11 In G Major, C 100 "The Resurrection": II. Surrexit Christus Hodie
Rosenkranzsonate No. 11 In G Major, C 100 "The Resurrection": III. Adagio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 12 In C Major, C 101 "The Ascension": I. Intrada
Rosenkranzsonate No. 12 In C Major, C 101 "The Ascension": II. Aria Tubicinum
Rosenkranzsonate No. 12 In C Major, C 101 "The Ascension": III. Allamande - Variatio
Rosenkranzsonate No. 12 In C Major, C 101 "The Ascension": IV. Courante - Double
Rosenkranzsonate No. 13 In D Minor, C 102 "The Holy Ghost": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 13 In D Minor, C 102 "The Holy Ghost": II. Gavotte
Rosenkranzsonate No. 13 In D Minor, C 102 "The Holy Ghost": III. Gigue
Rosenkranzsonate No. 13 In D Minor, C 102 "The Holy Ghost": IV. Sarabande
Rosenkranzsonate No. 14 In D Major, C 103 "The Assumption Of Mary": I. Grave
Rosenkranzsonate No. 14 In D Major, C 103 "The Assumption Of Mary": II. Aria - Gigue
Rosenkranzsonate No. 15 In C Major, C 104 "Crowning Of The Virgin Mary": I. Sonata
Rosenkranzsonate No. 15 In C Major, C 104 "Crowning Of The Virgin Mary": II. Aria
Rosenkranzsonate No. 15 In C Major, C 104 "Crowning Of The Virgin Mary": III. Canzone
Rosenkranzsonate No. 15 In C Major, C 104 "Crowning Of The Virgin Mary": IV. Sarabande
Passacaglia In G Minor, C 105 “the Guardian Angel”

UPC: 7619990104099
Label: Pan Classics
Release Date: 3.6.20
Format: CD

Biber / Ars Antiqua Austria / Letzbor - Rosenkranzsonaten (2 CD)