The Avison Ensemble - Corelli: Opus 5 - The Irish Times

Arcangelo Corelli's 12 violin sonatas, the most highly regarded of their time, were famously re-published in 1710 in an edition that includes sections with written-out embellishments. These are said to have come from the composer himself, and so provide a valuable insight into 18th-century practices. The Avison Ensemble's violinist, Pavlo Beznosiuk, casts them aside in favour of spur-of-the-moment inventions of his own, which fill the bill with stylish and imaginative aplomb. His playing is often both busier and more laid-back than you'll usually hear in these pieces. And with accompaniments ranging across organ, harpsichord, archlute, guitar and cello, there's no lack of variety in these rewarding performances.