Crucifixion Sonata (nTOPAZ)

Biber's Crucifixion sonata is one of my favourite showpieces, constantly on hand for any programme which requires a audience pleasing 10 minute filler! It comes from the set of 16 Mystery sonatas by H.I.F. Biber (12 August 1644 (baptised) -- 3 May 1704), with each sonata being written for a deliberately mistuned violin (each sonata has it's own unique tuning). This particular sonata only has a simple retuning (the top E string is tuned down to a D), which means that it is relatively easy to transition from the normal tuning to the scordatura tuning without needing too much settling time (or an extra violin!).

The set of Mystery (Rosary) sonatas are divided into 3 groups of 5 (with one extra standalone solo sonata at the end), the Joyful, Sorrowful and the Glorious. Each sonata depicts a station of the Catholic Stations of the Cross, with the accompanying artwork in the manuscript giving additional flavour to the music. The Crucifixion is the last of the Sorrowful Mysteries and the tenth in the cycle of sonatas.

This particular performance was recorded live and unedited in Sydney, Australia by Farinelli's Ground (my personal group). Apologies for the background noise (birds... and then later, an appropriate surprise if you listen very carefully...), but that is the nature of live perfomance!