Reviews

These recordings reveal that [Avison’s] music is of a consistently high level. [They] are still able to reach out and appeal to music-lovers today. That is even more the case when they are played with so much fire and passion. Gary Cooper plays the keyboard parts brilliantly, with technical perfection and artistic fervour. Exemplary booklets which provide the listener with all the necessary information. The recording leaves nothing to be desired. In short, this set offers almost two hours of first-rate musical entertainment.

Avison… discovered a melodic-harmonic vein of charm . As to the performances by the Avison Ensemble, they are worthy of the music they play, being both suavely urbane and stylistically astute. Technically, there’s nothing to challenge these musicians. Definitely recommended.

Remarkable discs… remarkable as much for the glories of the music they contain as for the brilliance of the Avison Ensemble’s playing and in particular Gary Cooper’s delightful harpsichord virtuosity. A very welcome and refreshing release.

[Avison’s] puzzlingly neglected music is one of the great treasure troves of the baroque period. To describe the sound – every part is clear and present, performed with graceful passion, resulting in sound that is well-defined and quietly powerful. This excellent double CD … is highly recommended if you want to discover some wonderful music and hear proof that the sound does still matter.

My respect for the works of this Newcastle composer increases by leaps and bounds. His writing for the harpsichord is both brilliant and sensitive. First rate ensemble.

These musicians seem to have just the amicable rapport that Avison was looking for, and their performance comes off with joy and aplomb

A lovingly played baroque master work, this is a sure bet for harpsichord lovers. This stuff has been so cool that you hate to see the series come to a conclusion.

Such a rich sound… affectionate performances… adding to our knowledge and appreciation of one of Northern England’s unsung musical heroes.

A welcome pendant to the concerti grossi. The keyboard parts are virtuosic and relished by Gary Cooper. The modest string parts enrich the effect of the music.

[Antony Hopkins the composer] was lightweight but never trivial and he could consistently charm the ear. Altogether, this is a delightfully entertaining anthology, vividly recorded, and can be especially recommended to those who, like me, had not previously discovered the composer’s music.

[Hopkins’] music is finely constructed and undemanding. Yet he uses dissonance effectively and pungently, sometimes bringing to mind Hindemith. There is much to delight here.

[Hopkins] did everything with distinction; and, although his muse was utterly English, his writing has almost a French piquancy. The present anthology shows his range and his consistently seductive invention, with a consistent injection of often haunting lyricism. Let me finally commend all the performers whose ardent playing contributes so materially to the success of this well-annotated disc. It is indeed a Portrait, and a very well deserved one too.

Divine Art has produced this superb 2-CD tribute to Antony Hopkins for his 90th birthday. This tribute is a wonderful celebration of Antony Hopkins’s life and music … such an accomplished all-round musical personality. Hopkins’ music … deserves to be heard more frequently in the concert hall.

A delightful find for those jaded ears that are thinking there’s nothing new under the classical sun to be found.  Warmly played in period fashion with great attention to detail

The group has developed a distinct ‘house style’ that truly sparkles in this recording. Avison’s awareness, and use, of key colour is striking – it certainly brings an impressive degree of variety to the disc… this double-CD set is a mine of varied and exciting music.

[Avison’s] work is fresh and listenable,…Beznosiuk gives these concertos excellent treatment. Sound is very good. This is a high-quality recording.

Urbane charm, fluent melody and purposeful harmony. Attractive now as they were for audiences at Avison’s regular subscription concerts.

This splendid 2 CD set should help to rekindle interest in the work of Charles Avison… 18 elegantly Italianate creations expertly revived by the ensemble which bears his name.

In terms of performance, the Avison Ensemble is superbly unified. Not surprisingly, several other of its recordings are mentioned in Divine Art’s very well presented annotation. Pavlo Beznosiuk leads with confidence – he is not afraid to add occasional decorations but these are not intrusive and never interrupt the melodic line. In all, these are exceptionally stylish ‘period’ performances by musicians in-tune with Avison’s philosophy and are ideal ambassadors for the promotion of this neglected composer. Divine Art must be commended for promoting rarely heard 18th-century composers.

These concerti, though coming late in Avison’s composing career, show little diminution of inventiveness from his Op.6 set and the Scarlatti and Geminiani adaptations. With tasteful ornamentation where appropriate and a willingness to give the music a bit of a lift, these are excellent performances.