The Mystery Sonatas

Second violin principal of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 2013, Alexander Read leads a versatile career as soloist, chamber musician and teacher. For this concert he joins forces with Mélisande McNabney and Elinor Frey for an evening devoted to Biber’s Rosary Sonatas. In addition to being very rarely performed in its entirety in concert, this opus requires the violinist to modify the tuning of his instrument according to the sonata being played: Mr. Read will therefore be using four violins, but one at a time!

Alexander Reid, violin
Mélisande McNabney, harpsichord, organ
Elinor Frey, cello

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644 – 1704)
The “Sonates du Mystère” cycle of 15 Rosary Sonatas

The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple
The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus in the Temple

Pause

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crown of Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

Pause

The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection
The Ascension
Pentecost
The Assumption of the Virgin
The Coronation of the Virgin

Passacaglia in G minor for solo violin, “The Guardian Angel”