Composer

:

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1683

Publication Date

:

1683

Average_duration

:

3:49

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber's 'Sonata for 2 violins, 2 violas & continuo No. 5 in C major, C. 82' is a Baroque chamber music piece composed in the late 17th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1676 and 1681. The piece was premiered in Salzburg, Austria, where Biber was employed as a court musician. The sonata consists of four movements: Preludio, Allemande, Sarabande, and Gigue. The Preludio is a lively and energetic movement, featuring virtuosic passages for the violins and violas. The Allemande is a more subdued and graceful dance, with a steady pulse and intricate counterpoint. The Sarabande is a slow and stately dance, characterized by its expressive melodies and rich harmonies. The Gigue is a lively and rhythmic dance, featuring rapid-fire passages for the violins and violas. One of the most notable characteristics of Biber's 'Sonata for 2 violins, 2 violas & continuo No. 5 in C major, C. 82' is its use of scordatura tuning. Scordatura is a technique in which the strings of the instruments are tuned to a different pitch than their standard tuning. In this sonata, the violins and violas are tuned to unusual tunings, which allows for a wider range of harmonies and textures. This technique was a hallmark of Biber's style, and he used it extensively in his chamber music and solo violin works. Overall, Biber's 'Sonata for 2 violins, 2 violas & continuo No. 5 in C major, C. 82' is a masterful example of Baroque chamber music. Its intricate counterpoint, expressive melodies, and innovative use of scordatura tuning make it a unique and compelling work.

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