Jordi Savall, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations - Biber: Requiem, Battalia (2002)

Heinrich Biber was born in Bohemia in 1644 and spent much of his life at the court of Salzburg. The Battalia, first performed in 1673, was probably written for carnival celebrations at the Salzburg court, but it has been suggested that it also reflects the composer's feelings towards the Thirty Year War. A rousing, majestic piece noted for its polytonality and polyrhythm, it features popular songs and drunken revelry and a range of striking effects. This remarkable music, with its different metrical structures and tonalities, verges at times on dissonance, to achieve which Biber employs a variety of non-traditional methods, including striking the bow on the instrument and paper woven through the strings. As I say, it is absolutely amazing and demands to be better known; moreover, I cannot imagine a better recording than the one here made in 2002. Jordi Savall is very much an expert in this repertoire and the performance by Le Concert des Nations is exciting indeed.

This version of the Requiem was recorded in 1999 in its original setting, Salzburg Cathedral. It was composed in 1687 for the funeral of Biber's patron, Archbishop Maximilian Gandolph. It is a jubilant work, with a real sense of calm assurance and victory and is here given an authoritative performance by La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations and a choice team of vocal soloists.