Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber : Vesperae longiores ac breviores
Not later than his appointment as Court Music Director of the Archbishop of Salzburg in 1684 did the composition of sacred vocal music become an official obligation for Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber [1644 1704]. Today his extensive sacred works stand somewhat in the shadow of his instrumental music [perhaps with the exception of the Missa Salisburgenis] and this although many of the treasured stylistic elements of his instrumental music can also be found in his masses, psalm settings and vespers. Thus the litany Vesperae longiores ac breviores, is characterized by the striking virtuoso use of both violins. In a live production Simon Carrington, co-founder of the famous King’sSingers, and the Yale Schola Cantorum have made this intimately scored, yet grandiose work known and accessible to the music lovers and enthusiasts. It shows Biber at the height of his creative powers. On the present recording the Vesper is complimented by vocal and instrumental music of Rupert Ignaz Mayr [1646 1712] and Giovanni Legrenzi [1620 1690], two of Biber’s well-known contemporaries.
