Listmania!
The essential Biber, a selective list of must-have CDs
By an Amazon.com customer
Biber: Violin SonatasBiber: Violin Sonatas
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $14.99
The award-winning 2-CD set that started it all. This is one of *the* great Baroque recordings of all time. If you are a music lover you should own this disc.
Biber: The Rosary SonatasBiber: The Rosary Sonatas
Buy new: $34.98 / Used from: $21.00
Manze's long-awaited followup to the above disc--just issued. Haven't heard it yet but it's already received accolades as possibly Manze's best recording to date.
Biber: Harmonia Artificioso - Ariosa; Tam Aris Quam Aulis ServientesBiber: Harmonia Artificioso - Ariosa; Tam Aris Quam Aulis Servientes
Manfredo Kraemer and his superb Rare Fruits Council. Kraemer is right behind Manze and coming on strong. The Artificioso-Ariosa disc won the Diapason d'Or and is *magical*--truly a desert island disc.
Biber: Unam Ceylum /Holloway * Assenbaum * MortensenBiber: Unam Ceylum /Holloway * Assenbaum * Mortensen by Lars Ulrik Mortensen
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $12.49
Recently I've actually come to prefer this CD to Manze's version. And this disc contains performances of two unpublished Biber sonatas, making it truly *essential.* The ECM recording is spectacular!
Biber; Muffat: Der Turken Anmarsch /Holloway * Assenbaum * MortensenBiber; Muffat: Der Turken Anmarsch /Holloway * Assenbaum * Mortensen by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Buy used from: $10.16
Holloway's long-awaited ECM followup to the preceding disc, and it disappoints in no way. Mandatory for Biber lovers. ECM's engineering is faultless.
Biber: The Mystery SonatasBiber: The Mystery Sonatas
Buy used from: $46.88
I was slightly less impressed with this Holloway disc, although it's garnered a Gramophone Award and a Penguin Guide rosette.
Biber: Vespro Della Beata Vergine [Germany]Biber: Vespro Della Beata Vergine [Germany]
Buy new: $24.98 / Used from: $51.31
The best CD of Biber's vocal music. Use the ASIN to search for the CD on Amazon.de, which has sound clips. The high notes in Laudate Pueri are spine-tingling!!
Biber: Missa BruxellensisBiber: Missa Bruxellensis
Buy used from: $54.99
Another Penguin Guide rosette disc, and rightfully so! The recording catches the cathedral acoustic wonderfully. A jubilant, life-enhancing disc.
Biber: Missa Salisburgenis /Musica Antiqua Koln * Goebel * Gabrieli Consort & Players * McCreeshBiber: Missa Salisburgenis /Musica Antiqua Koln * Goebel * Gabrieli Consort & Players * McCreesh by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $7.45
Another sonic feast. No one can say that Biber didn't know how to write music for trumpets.
Biber RequiemBiber Requiem
Buy new: $20.98 / Used from: $7.00
McCreesh's followup to the preceding disc. Not yet available as of this writing.
Biber: Litaniae Sancto Josepho; Muffat: Missa in Labore Requies / JunghanelBiber: Litaniae Sancto Josepho; Muffat: Missa in Labore Requies / Junghanel by Georg Muffat
Buy used from: $39.49
Hard to find. This CD is listed in the Gramophone Guide. Biber's sacred music doesn't disappoint: Think angelic hosts playing trumpets and you'll get the idea...