Biber - violin sonata no. 1, "The Annunciation"

It has been a few years now - can it be so long? - since my last violin lesson, but I still play a bit now and then.  Taking a long break has been a good thing, incredibly refreshing and interesting.

For example, instead of listening to only classical music, I now listen to more genres, weighted heavily toward electronica/synthpop and opera.  The former has really made me look at intonation/tone in a new light, while the operatic expressions and "breaths" - which teachers used to try to teach me - have become easier to understand and implement.

Another benefit of the break - I have given up the shoulder rest, temporarily and perhaps indefinitely.  The shoulder rest is a piece of equipment that fits onto the base of the violin, right under the place where you put your chin; it is mostly hidden from the audience's view, but to a violinist it makes a world of difference.  There was always a sense of insecurity when I tried to "lose" the rest before, but now I think I found the right balance to play without it, certainly for Baroque music.

Baroque music can be very hard to listen to.  This sonata wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but to me it's a gorgeous piece bringing out the best in Baroque, without sounding like Bach (nothing against Bach!).  Indeed, if you don't care for Bach, you just might like Biber.  [Then there is Vitali, who is even harder to dislike...and also very difficult to play.  ;) ]

I'm trying to teach myself this piece; I like to take it a bit slower, 19th century.  This recording is more era-accurate (17th c.); it is wonderful how the notes ring, and the runs are so light and calm-sounding.  Even back then, composers were into painting imagery with the notes - I think Biber was trying to evoke the angel's disappearance or ascent at the end, much as in parts of Handel's Messiah.