Biber, H.I.F.: Missa Salisburgensis

   in Choir & Organ (Jan, 2016)
The cleverly contrived, extended build-up through instrumental works, including the fabulously quirky Battalia, ensures maximum impact for the mysterious liturgical juggernaut of Biber’s 54-part setting of the Mass. It’s technically brilliant from all, but the 16 singers are sometimes fighting for presence with both the scoring and the acoustics. Imposing grandeur, earthly puissance and immovable baroque social order in massive, proud, stony gestures roll over the listener in Hybrid SACD clarity that cannot completely capture the dazzling excesses of this wondrous work: resistance is futile. …