In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.
“They must surely be one of the finest baroque ensembles now in existence.” Early Music News
“This is exemplary baroque string playing, and at its most tasteful.” The Consort
The Avison Ensemble is an outstanding period instrument orchestra who has been performing together for nearly 25 years. The Ensemble, directed by Pavlo Beznosiuk, gives a fresh and insightful performance of George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece Concerti Grossi Opus 6.
This recording encompasses Handel’s complete Concerti Grossi Opus 6, a work widely thought to be the definitive example of the concerto grosso and one of the composer's greatest contributions to the Baroque period.
Under the masterful direction of Pavlo Beznosiuk the Ensemble’s enviable precision and musical rapport is evident.
The period ensemble creates dazzling colour, the tones and textures bringing this popular Baroque masterpiece to life.
Formed in 1985, the Ensemble has attracted great critical acclaim. The Guardian commented: “I’d take the Avison Ensemble over Karajan…any day”.
The Avison Ensemble comprises some of Europe's leading baroque musicians, including artists from The Hague, Germany, France, Austria and London, with international soloists from all over the globe.
Pavlo Beznosiuk, the UK's foremost baroque violin virtuoso, is in demand as a soloist and orchestral leader performing regularly with the Academy of Ancient Music and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in G major, Op. 6, No. 1, HWV 319
I. A tempo giusto
II. Allegro
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro
V. Allegro
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in F major, Op. 6, No. 2, HWV 320
I. Andante larghetto
II. Allegro
III. Largo - Larghetto andante e piano
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in E minor, Op. 6, No. 3, HWV 321
I. Larghetto
II. Andante
III. Allegro
IV. Polonaise: Andante
V. Allegro, ma non troppo
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 6, No. 4, HWV 322
I. Larghetto affettuoso
II. Allegro
III. Largo e piano
IV. Allegro
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in D major, Op. 6, No. 5, HWV 323
I. [Larghetto e staccato]
II. Allegro
III. Presto
IV. Largo
V. Allegro
VI. Menuet: Un poco larghetto
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 6, HWV 324
I. Largo e affettuoso
II. Allegro, ma non troppo
III. Musette: Larghetto
IV. Allegro
V. Allegro
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in B flat major, Op. 6, No. 7, HWV 325
I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Largo, e piano
IV. Andante
V. Hornpipe
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in C minor, Op. 6, No. 8, HWV 326
I. Allemande
II. Grave
III. Andante allegro
IV. Adagio
V. Siciliana: Andante
VI. Allegro
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in F major, Op. 6, No. 9, HWV 327
I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Larghetto
IV. Allegro
V. Menuet
VI. Gigue
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 6, No. 10, HWV 328
I. Overture
II. Allegro Lento
III. Air: Lento
IV. Allegro
V. Allegro
VI. Allegro moderato
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in A major, Op. 6, No. 11, HWV 329
I. Andante larghetto, e staccato
II. Allegro
III. Largo, e staccato
IV. Andante
V. Allegro
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in B minor, Op. 6, No. 12, HWV 330
I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Aria: Larghetto e piano
IV. Largo
V. Allegro
The Independent on Sunday
4th July 2010
“...a compendium of Handel's musical interests, at times blatantly operatic in style and material (Nos 7 and 8), occasionally as grave as the English oratorios (No 5), often dazzlingly Italianate (Nos 2, 6 and 10). Performed without the optional woodwind, this is a vivacious, highly detailed set.”
8th August 2010
***
“The Avison’s accounts under Pavlo Beznosiuk have a natural, easy virtuosity that will endear them to purists”
September 2010
*****
“This fine ensemble, founded to investigate the previously unknown music of the Newcastle composer Charles Avison, takes on his London contemporary with tremendous panache...Pavlo Beznosiuk's virtuosity had me on the edge of my seat in the andante variations and the final allegro. But the Ensemble, too, plays with great tenderness.”
October 2010
“Beznosiuk is an excellent judge of textures and tempi, and his leadership of the concertino group…is authoritative and nuanced...I suspect that the Avison Ensemble's set shall remain rewarding long after the novelties of more precocious approaches have faded.”
October 2010
“...this set has so much character, insight and understated drama that I felt as if immersed in a vast 12-act opera without words. Magnificent!”
Click here for alternative recordings of this work.
I. A tempo giusto
