This book, the first to look at Avisons music in depth, examines the influences on Avison and the circumstances around the composition of his music. It draws heavily upon his important treatise, An Essay on Musical Expression, and other writings, to look at how closely he adheres to his musical aesthetics.
This book explores the works and influence of the eighteenth-century British composer Charles Avison. Although he spent most of his life in the northern town of Newcastle upon Tyne, Avison went on to have a marked impact on the musical life of Britain during the second half of the eighteenth century. His concertos become part of the national concert repertory, while his critical treatise, An Essay on Musical Expression, shaped debates about musical aesthetics. This book provides the first sustained examination of Avisons musical works and compositional techniques, and it traces how his music not only drew on influences from European composers but also reworked them and in turn, influenced others.
Considering Avisons musical compositions, the circumstances around their composition and dissemination, and their place in music history, the author confronts preconceptions about the quality of Avisons music, reveals new dimensions of his work as a composer, and demonstrates the enduring popularity and impact of his music. The author also draws on Avisons writings to consider how closely he adheres to his own musical aesthetics. Reassessing Avisons contribution to British music history, this study makes the case for understanding him as an important figure in the development and spread of musical styles across eighteenth-century England.
1. Introduction
2. Avison in Newcastle and London
3. Earliest Works: The Opus 1 Trio Sonatas of 1737
4. The First Concertos, 174047
5. Reworkings and the Scarlatti Concertos of 1744
6. Avisons Vocal Music
7. William Hayes and the Concertos Opus 3 and 4
8. New Directions: The Accompanied Keyboard Sonatas Opus 5, 7, and 8
9. Looking forwards: The Opus 6 Concertos of 1758 and Twenty Six Concertos
in Score
10. Looking Backwards: The Late Concertos, 176569
11. The Reception of Avisons Music During his Lifetime
12. The Afterlife of Avisons Music and his Reputation as a Musician
13. Concluding Thoughts
Simon D. I. Fleming is a Durham-based teacher, organist, and musicologist who previously taught in the Music Department at Durham University, UK. His research focuses on music in eighteenth-century Britain, with a particular focus on the north of England. He has published articles in The Musical Times, The Consort, Early Music, The Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle, and Eighteenth- Century Music, and he has spoken at numerous conferences. More recently, he has been working on the topic of music subscription lists and has edited, with Martin Perkins, Music by Subscription: Composers and Their Networks in the British Music-Publishing Trade, 16761820 (Routledge, 2022). Together they established the Dataset of Subscribers to Eighteenth-Century Music Publications in Britain and Ireland (musicsubscribers.co.uk). He is currently working on a second edited volume, The Music Trade across Britain, 16501800, in partnership with Stephanie Carter. Simons extensive collection of early printed and manuscript music is held by Durham Universitys Palace Green Library.
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