The Avison Ensemble is one of England's foremost exponents of 18th century music on period instruments. It is named after Charles Avison (1709-1770), the Newcastle-born composer, conductor and organist, "the most important English concerto composer of the 18th Century" (New Grove).
In addition to playing other works from the Baroque and early Classical periods, the Avison Ensemble is also a training ground for young up and coming musicians to gain experience at period performance practice and styles, affording them the opportunity to work with outstanding directors and soloists. The Ensemble has an active outreach programme involving thousands of children each year in music education projects throughout the North East.
The Avison Ensemble's recording of the complete works of Charles Avison on both the Naxos and Divine Art labels has been exceptionally well received. Their recording of '6 Cello Concertos' by John Garth has been a sensational success, having been reprinted several times during the first year of its release and is regularly played on Classic FM.
In addition to numerous appearances in the English regions, The Avison Ensemble has also appeared to critical acclaim at St. John's, Smith Square in London and at the Hallé Handel Festival in Germany. Recently, the Ensemble has performed at St. James' Palace in London with the choir of Her Majesty the Queen's Chapel Royal and were the largest orchestra in the opening concert series at the new London concert hall, Kings Place, performing Beethoven's Triple Concerto as part of an all Beethoven programme on period instruments.
"Praise be to the Avison Ensemble... it was a performance that was made by the intimate relationships created among the soloists and with the ensemble. I'd take them over Karajan and the Russians any day." The Guardian, March 2009
For further information -
www.avisonensemble.comBBC Music Magazine
'The Linn recording is luminous and sensitively balanced.'
more >>MusicWeb International'A worthy successor to the Avisons' recording of Corelli's Op.6 concerti grossi. '
more >>The Irish Times
'There's no lack of variety in these rewarding performances.'
more >>BBC Music Magazine
'a subtle graciousness that seems to capture the essence of Corelli's polished style'
more >>Blog.codaex.deGerman Review: 'This old music is alive! The Avison Ensemble has succeeded with their second Corelli release for the year, a stunning continuation of a great beginning. Our CD of the Month April 2013.'
more >>Gramophone'This is an immensely enjoyable release.'
more >>BBC Radio 3Featured on BBC Radio 3's 'Cd Review' and 'Building a Library'
more >>Artswrap'All of the works performed contain exceptionally difficult violin techniques, making this a must listen for classical music fans.'
International Record Review'[The playing] has enough audacity, daring and originality to make these astounding performances something truly special.'
more >>International Record Review'the Avison Ensemble sets its unique seal on the performance'
more >>Early Music Review'This is still a beautiful disc and the excellent sleeve notes add to its allure.'
more >>Early Music ReviewLive review: 'Corelli at Christmas'
more >>SA-CD.net'meltingly lyrical in the slow movements and full of life in the faster ones.'
more >>Gramophone'...the sense of ensemble is faultless and, in the faster movements, breathtakingly impressive.'
more >>The IndependentLive Review: Corelli at Christmas, Avison Ensemble, Rebecca Bottone, Kings Place, London
more >>MusicWeb InternationalRecordings Of The Year 2012: 'The Avisons get the mix for this set of famous concerti absolutely right.'
more >>Musique pour tous'Great interpretation'
more >>The Irish Times'...relaxed and purposefully pointed.'
more >>Audiophile Audition'...highly refined and some have extremely virtuosic parts...'
more >>Music Web International'...a strong claim to offer the lightest and airiest accounts that I’ve heard...'
more >>BBC Radio 3'Delightfully amiable, effervescent performances of all twelve concertos recorded with an enjoyable level of warmth and detail.'
more >>CodaexArcangelo Corelli war zweifellos einer der „Top-Stars“ im Italien der Barockzeit,
more >>Sunday Times...suave, personable performances
more >>BBC Music'There is rhythmic vivacity'
more >>CodaexFeatures in: 'Codaex interesting releases October 2012'
The Independent'immense suavity and elegance'
more >>Audiophilia'...the net result is simply lovely'.
more >>The Consort'...point of distinction is that this is an interpretation characterised overall by lyricism - indeed gentleness - rather than panache, even on the soloist's part.'
more >>Musicweb InternationalI particularly like the way the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra plays the last phrase piano: the music dies with the prey'.
more >>Halesowen News'...they breathe new life into the splendours of the Italian Baroque with all their familiar insight and attention to detail.'
more >>PizzicatoA glowing review in German from Pizzicato.
more >>American Record Guide'The notes are good, the sound excellent'.
more >>Fanfare'Strongly recommended'
more >>Classic FM Magazine'...one of the most vibrant, authentic and involving recordings of Vivaldi's violin concertos I've heard.'
more >>Early Music Review'Pavlo Beznosiuk's virtuoso playing...'
more >>Positive Feedback Online'There is definitely a place for Beznosiuk's Handel among the favorites'.
more >>International Record Review'...offering up performances which are as entertaining, compelling and colourful as they are authoritative and polished.'
more >>Audiophile Audition'powerfully played'
more >>Classical Source'...performances full of thoughtful and thought-provoking insight'
more >>ClassicsToday.comArtist quality: 10 / Sound quality: 10 "consistently first-class"
more >>BBCi"A delightful new set which showcases The Four Seasons' startling originality."
more >>BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewDisc of the Week: 'Plenty of bold colours...recorded with immediacy and real presence on the Linn label.'
Independent on Sunday"...Delicious"
more >>BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewDisc of the Week: 'Lovely, warm colourful playing.'
more >>MusicWeb International'This is another excellent recording to add to the distinguished list of the best available recordings.'
more >>Audiophilia.com'...achingly beautiful and pulsating with energy and life. The precision of their ensemble playing is breathtaking, their interpretations almost impossibly stylish.'
more >>Gramophone"...authoritative and nuanced."
more >>Classique InfoClassique Info Ring Award: "...ces trois disques pleins d'élégance, de rythme, de vie constituent tout simplement une nouvelle et incontestable référence pour ces œuvres. Pas moins."
more >>Listen: Life With Classical Music'...the ensemble playing is simply electrifying, crackling and sparkling...'
more >>Scotland on Sunday"Great music, beautifully packaged and skilfully played..."
more >>Classical Music Magazine"A satisfying set, pleasingly recorded."
more >>Klassik.com'...Stilbewusstsein, Klangsinn und ein sicheres Gespür für die kompositorischen Strukturen.'
more >>International Record Review"Where the Avison Ensemble really triumphs...is in conveying a sense of occasion and musical opulence...Magnificent!"
more >>Opus d'OrOpus d'Or Award: Here is a landmark SACD, sumptuously recorded, that one should not hesitate to acquire.
more >>Opus d'OrOpus d'Or Award: Un triple SACD de référence dans une prise de son somptueuse à acquérir sans tarder.
more >>Musikzen"...exécution impeccable, justesse sans défaut..."
more >>The Herald"...bursting with vigour, wit, style, refinement and some juicily characterful playing..."
more >>The Sunday Times"The Avison's accounts under Pavlo Beznosiuk have a natural, easy virtuosity that will endear them to purists..."
more >>BBC Online"...the Avisons achieve what every composer hopes for their music, namely the ability to move the listener's spirit. Bravo."
more >>Early Music Review"...First rate..."
more >>North London News"Exceptionally spirited performances...Warmly recommended."
more >>Financial Times"...the Avison Ensemble proves itself a flexible, high-spirited group..."
more >>BBC Music MagazineOrchestral Choice: "I shall certainly return frequently to this splendid set."
more >>Audio Video Club of Atlanta"I like everything I hear about this marvelous Handel release."
more >>The Irish Times"...bright and breezy al fresco energy..."
more >>ClassicsToday.com"...beautifully realized by the stunningly realistic, resoundingly vibrant sound engineering...Essential!"
more >>The Independent on SundayA vivacious, highly detailed set.
more >>Audiophile Audition...right up there with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti as one of the greatest examples of instrumental works of the High Baroque.
more >>MusicWeb InternationalDownload of the Month: "...this could well become my benchmark in future for this wonderful music..."
more >>