Mystery Sonatas, Volume 1 (1-5) - Violin and Keyboard

These three scholarly editions, edited by William T. Tortolano, contain all fifteen Mystery Sonatas by Heinrich Biber. Also known as the Rosary Sonatas, the set includes settings of the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries. Each treatment of these evocative episodes in the life and death of Jesus is skillfully composed to express all the subtle nuances of their emotion.

These three editions employ the use of both normal and scordatura tuning, adding color to the sound, and easing the execution of difficult passages. The figured bass is realized for either organ or harpsichord. Every serious violinist will consider this important series a must for his or her library.