An Austrian violinist and composer who became the most celebrated violin virtuoso of the 17th century. Biber wrote many sonatas for violin that employ both normal tuning and scordatura, where the strings are tuned to a chord instead of in perfect fifths. He also composed many sacred and secular pieces. The "Mystery (or "Rosary") Sonatas," for solo violin and various continuo instruments, are musical metaphors, even allegories, of religious mysteries. ~ Blue Gene Tyranny, Rovi