Pavlo Beznosiuk director/leader/violin Robert Howarth director/harpsichord Rodolfo Richter, Joanna Green, Caroline Balding, Simon Kodurand violin Tom Dunn, Rachel Byrt viola Richard Tunnicliffe, Deborah Thorne cello Peter McCarthy bass Mhairi Lawson, Lisa Wilson, Sarah-Jane Davies soprano Plus other soloists and guest artists

Named after the Tyneside composer Charles Avison (1709-1770) the Avison Ensemble is based in Newcastle upon Tyne and comprises a ‘pool’ of independent local, national and international artists of high quality who have chosen to perform on period instruments to recreate the distinctive ‘sound world’ of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Led by Pavlo Beznosiuk, one of the UK’s leading period instrument virtuoso violinists, the Ensemble has attracted and calls upon leading baroque and early classical musicians and soloists. Unique in having its own composer, along with a substantial repertoire of his music as yet unperformed in modern times, the Ensemble has added to this repertoire with the recent acquisition of two of Charles Avison’s original workbooks. Today, the Ensemble introduces new audiences to Avison’s music through an intensive touring, publishing and recording schedule; a thriving education outreach programme; subscription concerts; and BBC radio broadcasts. ‘The band throws itself in to the music with a vigour not often seen on the concert platform these days ... there is also a sense of enjoyment so strong you can almost touch it.’ Early Music Today

Sample Programme:

Concertos from the North: Original works and arrangements of Geminiani and Scarlatti found in Avison’s recently discovered workbooks plus concertos by composers who worked with Avison’s orchestra around 1760.

Education:

The Avison Young Musician Award (North East): an annual scheme for talented young musicians, widening to a UK programme over the next 5 years; Masterclasses with tuition in public presentation and performance; Pre-concert talks; Touring exhibitions of Avison’s original workbooks and associated archive items.

Recordings:

Concertos from the North featuring compositions by Avison, Herschel and John Garth; Charles Avison: Twelve Concertos opus 6 the first ever compete recording of an original opus by Charles Avison; Charles Avison: Six Concertos opus 3 and Eight Concertos opus 4; John Garth - Six Cello Concertos; October 2007 2 new CD launches: John Garth 6 Concertos for Cello; Avison Concertos after Geminiani’s Opus 1

Performances:

23 Jun 07 St Andrew’s Church, Aldborough
24 Jun 07 Assembly Rooms, Newcastle upon Tyne
28 Jul 07 Castle Keep, Newcastle upon Tyne
14 Oct 07 St John the Baptist Church, Little Missenden

Contact:

Gordon Dixon, 3 Bentinck Place,
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 6XN

Tel/Fax: 0191 226 0799

Email: info@avisonensemble.com
Website: www.avisonensemble.com