CHARLES AVISON

Sonatas For Harpsichord Ops 5 & 7

With Accompaniments For Two Violins And Violin Cello

Six Sonatas for harpsichord with accompaniments for two violins and violoncello Op. 5:

Sonata I G Major;

Sonata II C Major;

Sonata III B Flat Major;

Sonata IV E Flat Major;

Sonata V G Major;

Sonata V1 A Major:

Six Sonatas for harpsichord with accompaniments for two violins and violoncello Op. 7:

Sonata I G major;

Sonata II G Minor;

Sonata III B Flat major;

Sonata IV D Minor;

Sonata V A Minor;

Sonata VI A Major

Avison Ensemble

The release of this set of Sonatas sees the completion of the recording of all of Charles Avison’s orchestral and chamber works. All have received excellent critical acclaim. The Opus 5 Sonatas were written in 1756 and Opus 7 in 1760 and influences of Rameau and Corelli are evident, amongst others. It can be said that Avison’s sonatas are a true gem of eighteenth century music and firmly reinforce the claim that he was one of the most important native British composers in that century.

Comprised of some of Europe's leading musicians and soloists, the Avison Ensemble performs works from the baroque and early classical periods.

The Ensemble is unique in having its own composer, along with a substantial repertoire of his music, as yet unperformed in modern times. Miraculously they have added to this repertoire with the recent acquisition of two of Avison’s original workbooks, which contain many unpublished works by Avison and other 18th century composers.

The Ensemble have chosen to perform on period instruments in order to recreate as closely as possible the distinctive 'sound world' that Charles Avison would have known.

This recording features Gary Cooper (harpsichord), Pavlo Beznosiuk and Caroline Balding (violins) and Robin Michael (cello).

Divine Art DDA21215