On track: Beauty of string and a prayer

By WILLIAM DART

Violinists who are aware of their heritage revere Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber.

This is not surprising, as the 17th-century Bohemian composer was a seminal figure in the history of the instrument's music. Bach's Sonatas and Partitas would be unthinkable without his precedent.

Biber's 15 Rosary Sonatas (also called the Mystery Sonatas) have an intense spirituality the great Bach would have appreciated.

Key events in the lives of Christ and his earthly mother are caught in three sets of sonatas, portraying, in turn, the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries.

The Irish-Ukranian violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk is top of his field and, just two weeks ago, his performance of all 15 sonatas was one of the highlights of York's acclaimed Early Music Festival.

These works, along with the magisterial Passacaglia which ends the set, are now available on a double-CD set from Avie.

It is a veritable colour fest, illuminated by Biber's individual tunings for each sonata and his use of not one but five period instruments.

There are shifting colours behind Beznosiuk, too, with Paula Chateauneuf on either theorbo or archlute, David Roblou alternating harpsichord and piano, and Richard Tunnicliffe dividing his attentions between a Viola da Gamba and a genuine 17th-century violone.

Beznosiuk mentions Zen Buddhism in his excellent booklet notes - with the sort of appreciation that draws you effortlessly into the music - although some might find that, once past the first listening post, Timothy West's readings between the sonatas intrude on the meditative qualities of the project.

There is an entire world in this music, from the grand fanfare that opens the fifth sonata, in its cloud of harpsichord, to the lament of the sixth, in which David Roblou's chamber organ sounds for a few moments like 17th-century trance music.

On the second disc, the 10th Sonata almost seems to have some gypsy fire in its veins, and there is a wonderful sense of reassurance, of meeting an old friend, when a familiar chorale melody turns up in the 11th Sonata, intriguingly treated.

Spaciously recorded by one of Britain's classier new labels, this is an Early Music release that deserves a place in your collection.

* Biber, The Rosary Sonatas (Avie, AV 0038, through Ode Records)