Heinrich Biber was one the German baroque's great violin virtuosos. His compositions were highly respected in their day and are still enjoyed by performer and audience member, alike.
A recent Cedille label recording by the Baroque Band of Biber's orchestral suites known as "Mensa Sonora" is a wonderful addition to the Biber discography. Directed by Garry Clarke, the orchestra's performance is an ideal blend of high energy and poetry. As a bonus, the recording includes Biber's spirited "Battalia."
Musica Antiqua Cologne's 1990 recording of works by Biber is surely a classic. Their program combines many of Biber's most popular orchestral pieces alongside charming ones by contemporaries Johann Schmelzer and Johann Walther. If there are only a handful of Musica Antiqua Cologne recordings that can be called signature, this is one of them.