The Avison Ensemble - Corelli: Opus 2 & 4: Chamber Sonatas - The Irish Times

The tercentenary of the death of Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), one of the greatest and most admired composers of his age, has gone almost unnoticed in concert in Ireland. Happily that's not the case on disc, where the ongoing Corelli series from Newcastle's Avison Ensemble now offers the 24 trio sonatas that make up the composer's Opp 2 and 4, works that were hugely influential all around Europe long after the composer's death, but which now tend to be more honoured than performed. Using a continuo group that includes cello, harpsichord, organ and archlute to ensure that there's plenty of variety in instrumental colouring, the Avison Ensemble play them with undemonstrative insight.