Two versions of Charles Avison’s Opus 9

In the baroque era, composers often prepared two or more versions of works for different instruments to accommodate those without access to everything. Charles Avison was one such composer. His Opus 9 Concerti Grossi were advertised as being playable in several ways with optional continuos, substation of instruments etc. and even as keyboard solos. The chamber orchestra and string quartet versions can be compared – the former played by the Avison Ensemble (divine art dda 21211) and the latter by The Georgian Concert (diversions ddv 24108). (Note: The Georgian Concert quartet is not the modern standard, but consists of violin, viola, cello and violone.) The quartet version is possibly the earliest work written specifically for string quartet in England.