The Avison Ensemble - Corelli: Opus 1 & 3 - The Sunday Times

With this release of the Op 1 and Op 3 trio sonatas, the Avison Ensemble's edition of Corelli is complete. Unlike the Op 2 and Op 4 chamber sonatas, these two dozen sonate da chiesa (church sonatas) steer away from dance forms, adhering largely to abstract movements. But the genre title was not the composer's, and the music is intimate and personal. Arresting ideas dart around in the faster movements, while the slower ones are characterised by their expressive sequences and suspensions. The illustrious five players of the Avison Ensemble offer shapely readings, phrasing beautifully and making the most of every nuance.