Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Biber, Henry John Francis

Biber, Henry John Francis, vice chapel-master to the Bishop of Saltzburg, published in 1681 a set of solos for a violin and bass. He seems to have been amongst the first violin players of his time ; and his solos are the most difficult and fanciful, says Dr. Burney, of any music of the same period. One of the pieces is written on three staves, as a score for two violins and bass, but meant to be played in double stops. Others are played in different tunings of fourths and fifths, as for a treble viol. A second work by this musician, entitled "Fidicinium sacro-profanum," consists of twelve sonatas, in four and five parts, to be played on three instruments ; and a third, "Harmonica artificiosoariosa," published at Nuremberg, consists of pieces of seven parts, to be played on three instruments.