Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber

Portrait of Biber
signature written in ink in a flowing script

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (bapt. 12 August 1644, Stráž pod Ralskem – 3 May 1704, Salzburg)[1] was a Bohemian-Austrian composer and violinist. Biber worked in Graz and Kroměříž before he illegally left his employer, Prince-Bishop Karl Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn, and settled in Salzburg.[1] He remained there for the rest of his life, publishing much of his music but apparently seldom, if ever, giving concert tours.

Biber was among the major composers for the violin in the history of the instrument. His own technique allowed him to easily reach the 6th and 7th positions, employ multiple stops in intricate polyphonic passages, and explore the various possibilities of scordatura tuning.[2][3][4] Among other pieces, Biber wrote operas, sacred music and music for chamber ensemble.[5] He also wrote one of the earliest known pieces for solo violin, the monumental passacaglia of the Mystery Sonatas.[6]

During Biber's lifetime, his music was known and imitated throughout Europe. In the late 18th century he was named the best violin composer of the 17th century by music historian Charles Burney.[7] In the late 20th century Biber's music, especially the Mystery Sonatas, enjoyed a renaissance. Today, it is widely performed and recorded.[7]

  1. ^ a b Heinrich Biber at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  2. ^ A Survey of the Unaccompanied Violin Repertoire, Centering on Works by J.S. Bach and Eugene Ysaÿe, drum.lib.umd.edu, p. 19-20
  3. ^ Dann, Elias; Sehnal, Jiří (2001). "Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.03037. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  4. ^ "Biber, Heinrich Ignaz Franz von", Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians – via HighBeam Research
  5. ^ Norwich, J. J. (1985–1993). Oxford illustrated encyclopedia. Judge, Harry George., Toyne, Anthony. Oxford [England]: Oxford University Press. p. 47. ISBN 0-19-869129-7. OCLC 11814265.
  6. ^ A Survey of the Unaccompanied Violin Repertoire, Centering on Works by J. S. Bach and Eugene Ysaÿe, drum.lib.umd.edu, p. 12
  7. ^ a b Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, encyclopedia.com. Retrieved February 21, 2015