During his life, Heinrich Franz von Biber was considered the greatest living violinist. Early in his professional career, he worked as a musician for the bishop of Olmütz, Karl Liechtenstein-Castelcorno, and he was sent to negotiate prices for new string instruments with a violin maker. Instead, Biber permanently left the court of the bishop for a more lucrative position with the archbishop of Salzburg. Bishop Liechtenstein could not really do anything in retaliation to Biber’s sudden departure, so he contented himself with not officially giving his permission for Biber to leave until six years later. Although he didn’t leave bishop Liechtenstein with a good impression, in Salzburg, his career took off.
Music Heard On This Episode
Heinrich Franz von Biber: Sonata I: Variatio
Romanesca — Biber Violin Sonatas (Harmonia Mundi, 2011)
