Avison Ensemble - Avison: Harpsichord Sonatas, Opp. 5 & 7 (2010)

Tracklist

CD1
01. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 1: I. Leggermente
02. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 1: II. Con spirito
03. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 1: III. Minuet: Affettuoso
04. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 1: IV. Allegretto
05. Sonata in C major, Op. 5, No. 2: I. Con giubilo
06. Sonata in C major, Op. 5, No. 2: II. Con tenerezza
07. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 5, No. 3: I. Andante
08. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 5, No. 3: II. Aria: Allegro
09. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 5, No. 3: III. Adagio arpeggio ad libitum
10. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 5, No. 3: IV. Allegro
11. Sonata in E flat major, Op. 5, No. 4: I. Siciliana ma non troppo lento
12. Sonata in E flat major, Op. 5, No. 4: II. Aria: Spiritoso
13. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 5: I. Aria: con affetto
14. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 5: II. Allegro
15. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 5: III. Andante
16. Sonata in G major, Op. 5, No. 5: IV. Giga: Contadina
17. Sonata in A major, Op. 5, No. 6: I. Allegro ma non presto
18. Sonata in A major, Op. 5, No. 6: II. Presto
19. Sonata in A major, Op. 5, No. 6: III. Giga: Tempo moderato

CD2
01. Sonata in G major, Op. 7, No. 1: I. Andante
02. Sonata in G major, Op. 7, No. 1: II. Presto
03. Sonata in G minor, Op. 7, No. 2: I. Presto
04. Sonata in G minor, Op. 7, No. 2: II. Aria: Tempo moderato
05. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 7, No. 3: I. Andante con affetto
06. Sonata in B flat major, Op. 7, No. 3: II. Giga: Allegro
07. Sonata in D minor, Op. 7, No. 4: I. Andante
08. Sonata in D minor, Op. 7, No. 4: II. Presto
09. Sonata in A minor, Op. 7, No. 5: I. Allegro
10. Sonata in A minor, Op. 7, No. 5: II. Interludio: Andante
11. Sonata in A minor, Op. 7, No. 5: III. Presto
12. Sonata in A major, Op. 7, No. 6: I. Ciacone
13. Sonata in A major, Op. 7, No. 6: II. Presto

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.

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