RE-UP. ARTS. Biber: Rosenkranz Sonaten - Riccardo Minasi, Bizzarrie Armoniche. 2xSACD-ISO

Sony PS3 SACD to ISO | DSD 1bit-2822,4kHz 2.0, 5.1 | 2xSACD 7.24GB

Classical | Label: ARTS | Catalog Number: 47735-8 | RAR 3% Rec.

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...Riccardo Minasi plays on a violin for most of the time but also a pair of viola d'amore when required. Accompanying him are Bizzarrie Armoniche, an ensemble of 8 musicians, led by cellist Elana Russo. A wide range of groupings are used, ranging from just organ in the third sonata, joined by trombone(!) in the eleventh sonata right up to cello, harp, theorbo, cembalo and organ in the fourteenth sonata (and many other combinations in between). Also used are a viola da gamba (sonata 6), a lyre (sonatas 1, 9, 10) and a bassett (a rasping double-bass type string instrument - very effective) in sonatas 7 and 12. Fortunately, their sonorities are most pleasing and not in the least bizarre! 
Altogether, Minasi and Bizzarrie Armoniche make beautiful music, pointing out the differences in style and mood between the Joyful Mysteries (1-5), the Sorrowful Mysteries (6-10) and the Glorious Mysteries (11-15). Particularly effective is the fourth sonata with its chaconne pre-figuring Bach's great essay for the violin in the same form. Minasi also gets a solo opportunity to close the disc with Biber's wonderful Passacaglia, which is played with the same self-effacing musicianship that distinguishes the rest of the set.
The recording is also good, although Minasi feels a little disjointed from Bizzarrie Armoniche, with a pleasing bloom to the sound (though never too much) and ample clarity of lines.
Altogether, a very highly recommended set.

Disc 1

01. Sonata I - Die Verkuendigung Mariae 05:08

02. Sonata II - Mariae Besuch bei Elisabeth 06:23

03. Sonata III - Christi Geburt 06:05

04. Sonata IV - Christi Darstellung im Tempel 08:50

05. Sonata V - Der Zwoelfjaehrige Jesus im Tempel 08:29

06. Sonata VI - Christi Leiden am Oelberg 07:53

07. Sonata VII - Christi Geisselung 09:27

08. Sonata VIII - Die Dornenkroenung 06:00

09. Sonata IX - Die Kreutztragung 05:55

10. Sonata X - Die Kreutzigung 09:03

Disc 2

01. Sonata XI - Die Auferstehung 07:37

02. Sonata XII - Christi Himmelfahrt 08:10

03. Sonata XIII - Die Sendung des Heiligen Geistes 08:13

04. Sonata XIV - Mariae Himmelfahrt 07:21

05. Sonata XV - Die Kroenung Mariae 11:34

06. Passagalia 08:46

Performer - Riccardo Minasi, Bizzarrie Armoniche

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