The Avison Ensemble - Corelli: Opus 6 - Early Music Review

Corelli and Handel's op. 6 are often thought of as comparable sets, but here the performing style is very different from the Handel op. 6 reviewed on p.28. Combattimenti Consort's Handel displays vigour verging on the over-excited (tipping at times into slightly less than perfect intonation), while the Avison Ensemble's playing is never less than silky perfection, impeccably blended sound, and never a hair out of tune. Their interpretation is also faultless and the concertino team of Pavlo Beznosiuk, Caroline Balding, Richard Tunnicliffe, Andrew Skidmore, Paula Chateauneuf and Roger Hamilton are all highly skilled and informed.

[The recordings] are a ‘set' in every way and 12 works in the same form by one composer do tend to exhibit which to enjoy the beautiful shaping of phrases in which the ensemble excels. This is still a beautiful disc and the excellent sleeve notes add to its allure.