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Biber: Mensa Sonora, Battalia / Clarke, Baroque Band
Cedille

Biber: Mensa Sonora, Battalia / Clarke, Baroque Band

$19.99

Details

Composer
BIBER, HEINRICH IGNAZ FRANZ VO
Artist
Clarke, Baroque Band
Format
CD
Label
Cedille
Released
Feb 23, 2010
Catalog #
CDR116
UPC
735131911627

About

REVIEW:

Since the demise of The City Musick some 16 years ago, Chicago has been without a period-instrument orchestra. Plenty of smaller chamber groups have been trying to fill the void, but it’s not quite the same as having a full-sized period orchestra that can tackle the larger works. Many metropolitan areas in North America can boast of having a Baroque orchestra—San Francisco, Boston, New York, Seattle, Cleveland, Toronto, Montreal. For a great city like Chicago to go without is unthinkable. The formation of the Baroque Band in 2007 was therefore something of an event and grounds for celebration. That this took place on the cusp of a severe economic downturn is even more remarkable. The present CD is the group’s debut recording, and shows it to consist of a nicely rounded 5-4-3-2-1 plus harpsichord, a healthy size by any standard. My thanks to Jim Ginsberg and his enterprising Cedille label for affording us non-Chicagoans the chance to examine the group for the first time. 

In the press release to the CD, Baroque violinist and founder Gary Clarke speculates that this may be the first time the six suites of Biber’s Mensa sonora have been recorded using full orchestra, and he may be right. My past favorite, and the Baroque Band’s chief competition, is the version by Musica Antiqua Köln and Reinhard Goebel (Archiv 423701, nla). Naturally, one cannot expect the same sort of individualistic chamber-music approach from an orchestral performance, but within the context of a larger group, the Baroque Band plays with admirable style and precision. A minor quibble has to do with the omnipresent and very prominent harpsichord continuo. Well played as it is by David Schrader, the occasional inclusion of a theorbo or chamber organ would have provided some much-needed variety.

The featured work is the famous Battalia à 10 (subtitled “for violin, strings, and basso continuo in D Major” in the booklet), and its history on record is traceable to the classic premiere recording by Concentus Musicus from 1966. That LP, which contained several other works of Biber as well as music of Muffat, was rereleased on CD in the early ’90s as part of the Collectio Argentea series (Archiv 437081, nla). It’s fascinating to compare the two period-instrument performance styles of 1966 and 2010. Back then, violinist Alice Harnoncourt played with a very sweet, vibrato-y sound, but also with great authority and presence. Here, Gary Clarke is equally authoritative, but his sound is straighter and ultimately more apropos than Harnoncourt’s. Compared to the ultra-polished but somewhat laid-back Concentus Musicus, the Baroque Band is a well-drilled regiment, clearly in command of the music. It plays with greater energy and really digs into the Bartók pizzicati in “Die Schlacht.” The players ham it up delightfully in the Lamento movement, a perfect depiction of a bunch of drunken soldiers. The “fife and drum” movement is memorable—for once, the parchment-wrapped double bass really sounds like a drum. Of the several versions that have appeared over the years, including MAK’s, the Baroque Band’s is the most successful in capturing the spirit of this unusual and innovative music.

My main complaint about the CD is that there isn’t enough of it! A timing of 56 minutes is pretty skimpy these days—it would have been easy to add another couple of works by Biber, the Pauern Kirchenfahrt , perhaps, or the Sonata representativa . The recorded sound is first-rate, and Gary Clarke’s notes afford a good introduction to the music. An excellent, urgently recommended debut disc.


FANFARE: Christopher Brodersen


Biber's Mensa Sonora ("Sonorous Table") doesn't get as much play as some of his more virtuosic violin works, but it contains splendid music nonetheless. By any standard this is an excellent performance for a period-instrument group, largely because director Garry Clarke made the smart decision to use a larger-size ensemble rather than having the music played one to a part. In his booklet notes Clarke offers all kinds of ridiculous "historical" reasons supporting this decision, and it's sad that today it is unacceptable for period-instrument performers to offer the one reason that we know would have been as valid in the composer's own time as it is in ours: the music sounds better this way.

Mensa Sonora consists of six parts (called "Pars" appropriately enough), each containing from five to seven brief movements. These range from delicate arias and sarabandes to the vigorous and rhythmically inventive second Balletto from Pars II, and including a couple of imposing Chaconnes (in Pars III and VI). A larger ensemble gives more weight and sonority (that's "Sonora", right?) to the big moments, and a richer but still intimate sound to the lighter ones. Sure, there's the usual minimization of vibrato, which is wrong, but with multiple players it matters less than usual, and to his credit Clarke permits them none of that whiny squeezing of notes that so many period ensembles deploy to the point of mannerism in lyrical passages.

The Battalia makes a substantial bonus. Clarke and his company really play up the battle scene, and the drunken soldiers make a jolly cacophony. Only the final lament of the dying doesn't quite work--it seems to me that it should be simply touching and played more or less straight, without the lachrymose chromaticism exaggerated quite so much. Of course, this is very much a matter of taste. As usual with this label, the engineering is superbly natural and well-balanced. A fine disc that all fans of Baroque music will want to consider.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 47 tracks

  1. 1 I. Sonata: Grave - Allegro 01:15
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Sonata: Grave - Allegro
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  2. 2 II. Allemanda 01:53
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allemanda
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  3. 3 V. Gavotte 00:56
    Track
    3
    Title
    V. Gavotte
    Duration
    00:56
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  4. 4 III. Courante 00:54
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Courante
    Duration
    00:54
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  5. 5 IV. Sarabanda 01:18
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Sarabanda
    Duration
    01:18
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  6. 6 VI. Gigue 01:42
    Track
    6
    Title
    VI. Gigue
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  7. 7 VI. Sonatina: Allegro 00:41
    Track
    7
    Title
    VI. Sonatina: Allegro
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  8. 8 I. Intrada 00:58
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. Intrada
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  9. 9 II. Balletto 01:26
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Balletto
    Duration
    01:26
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  10. 10 III. Sarabanda 01:06
    Track
    10
    Title
    III. Sarabanda
    Duration
    01:06
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  11. 11 IV. Balletto 00:44
    Track
    11
    Title
    IV. Balletto
    Duration
    00:44
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  12. 12 V. Sarabanda 01:03
    Track
    12
    Title
    V. Sarabanda
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  13. 13 VI. Balletto 00:49
    Track
    13
    Title
    VI. Balletto
    Duration
    00:49
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  14. 14 I. Gagliarda: Allegro 01:27
    Track
    14
    Title
    I. Gagliarda: Allegro
    Duration
    01:27
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  15. 15 II. Sarabanda 01:23
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Sarabanda
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  16. 16 III. Aria 01:01
    Track
    16
    Title
    III. Aria
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  17. 17 III. Ciacona 03:08
    Track
    17
    Title
    III. Ciacona
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  18. 18 V. Sonatina 00:51
    Track
    18
    Title
    V. Sonatina
    Duration
    00:51
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  19. 19 I. Sonata 01:58
    Track
    19
    Title
    I. Sonata
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  20. 20 II. Allemanda 01:48
    Track
    20
    Title
    II. Allemanda
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  21. 21 III. Courante 00:52
    Track
    21
    Title
    III. Courante
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  22. 22 IV. Balletto 00:35
    Track
    22
    Title
    IV. Balletto
    Duration
    00:35
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  23. 23 V. Sarabanda 01:12
    Track
    23
    Title
    V. Sarabanda
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  24. 24 VI. Gigue: Presto 01:22
    Track
    24
    Title
    VI. Gigue: Presto
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  25. 25 VII. Sonatina: Adagio 01:07
    Track
    25
    Title
    VII. Sonatina: Adagio
    Duration
    01:07
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  26. 26 I. Intrada: Allegro 01:08
    Track
    26
    Title
    I. Intrada: Allegro
    Duration
    01:08
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  27. 27 II. Balletto 00:45
    Track
    27
    Title
    II. Balletto
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  28. 28 III. Trezza 00:41
    Track
    28
    Title
    III. Trezza
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  29. 29 IV. Gigue 00:48
    Track
    29
    Title
    IV. Gigue
    Duration
    00:48
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  30. 30 V. Gavotte: Alla breve 00:58
    Track
    30
    Title
    V. Gavotte: Alla breve
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  31. 31 VI. Gigue 00:58
    Track
    31
    Title
    VI. Gigue
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  32. 32 VII. Retirada 00:55
    Track
    32
    Title
    VII. Retirada
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  33. 33 I. Sonata 01:07
    Track
    33
    Title
    I. Sonata
    Duration
    01:07
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  34. 34 II. Aria 01:32
    Track
    34
    Title
    II. Aria
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  35. 35 III. Canario: Presto 00:49
    Track
    35
    Title
    III. Canario: Presto
    Duration
    00:49
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  36. 36 IV. Amener 00:52
    Track
    36
    Title
    IV. Amener
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  37. 37 V. Trezza 01:10
    Track
    37
    Title
    V. Trezza
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  38. 38 VI. Ciacona 03:12
    Track
    38
    Title
    VI. Ciacona
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  39. 39 VII. Sonatina: Adagio - Presto 00:34
    Track
    39
    Title
    VII. Sonatina: Adagio - Presto
    Duration
    00:34
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  40. 40 I. Allegro 01:54
    Track
    40
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    01:54
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  41. 41 II. Die liederliche Gesellschaft von allerley Humor 00:48
    Track
    41
    Title
    II. Die liederliche Gesellschaft von allerley Humor
    Duration
    00:48
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  42. 42 III. Presto 00:27
    Track
    42
    Title
    III. Presto
    Duration
    00:27
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  43. 43 IV. Der Mars 01:08
    Track
    43
    Title
    IV. Der Mars
    Duration
    01:08
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  44. 44 V. Presto 01:04
    Track
    44
    Title
    V. Presto
    Duration
    01:04
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  45. 45 VI. Aria: Andante 01:35
    Track
    45
    Title
    VI. Aria: Andante
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  46. 46 VII. Die Schlacht 00:45
    Track
    46
    Title
    VII. Die Schlacht
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke
  47. 47 VIII. Lamento Verwundten Musquetirer 01:06
    Track
    47
    Title
    VIII. Lamento Verwundten Musquetirer
    Duration
    01:06
    Composer
    Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
    Ensemble
    Baroque Band
    Conductor
    Garry Clarke