Johann Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber: Rosary Sonatas

Abstract

Johann Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber's personality and work were pivotal in the 17th century, which is why he is considered one of the most prominent violinists and composers today. Born in the former Bohemia, later he worked in Austria as a violinist and composer in the Salzburg court. He was practically one of the first composers to compose for a solo violin. Among other things, he became a well-known and respected composer for the - until then – unexplored areas used in the Rosary Sonatas on the violin, the use of scordatura as a musical background, high positions, double stops, etc. In this article, I would like to present a more detailed but concise description of the historical origins and instrumental solutions of the Rosary Sonatas, presumably written in 1678.