Charles Avison (February 1709, Tyne – May 9 or May 10, 1770, Newcastle upon Tyne) was an English composer during Baroque period. He was a church organist at St. John's Church in Newcastle and at St. Nicholas's Cathedral. He is best remembered for his 12 Concerti Grossi after Scarlatti and his Essay on Musical Expression, the first music criticism published in English. February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... // Events January 12 - Two-month freezing period begins in France - The coast of the Atlantic and Seine River freeze, crops fail and at least 24. ... The River Tyne can refer to two rivers in the United Kingdom: River Tyne, England River Tyne, Scotland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1770 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about a city in the United Kingdom. ... Adoration, by Peter Paul Rubens: dynamic figures spiral down around a void: draperies blow: a whirl of movement lit in a shaft of light, rendered in a free bravura handling of paint In arts, the Baroque (or baroque) is both a period and the style that dominated it. ...

Life

Little is known of Avison's early life. The son of Richard and Anne Avison, both musicians, he was baptised on February 16 at St. John's Church. It is likely that he had early contact with Ralph Jenison, a patron of the arts, and later a member of Parliament. As a young man, he travelled to London to study under Geminiani. However, his strong ties to his hometown remained strong, and on October 13, 1735, he was accepted the position of church organist at St. John's Church in Newcastle. Shortly after, he also became organist at nearby St. Nicholas's Cathedral. Despite numerous offers of more prestigious positions later in life, he never again left Newcastle. Francesco Geminiani (December 5, 1687 – September 17, 1762), Italian violinist, composer, and music theorist, was born at Lucca. ...

On January 15, 1737, Avison married Catherine Reynolds. They had three surviving children: Jane (1744-1773), Edward (1747-1776), and Charles (1751-1795). Edward and Charles both later served as organists at St. Nicholas's Cathedral, and Charles published a book of hymns.

In July 1738, Avison was appointed music director of the Newcastle Musical Society. He also colaborated with John Garth's subscription concerts in Durham, and was active in local theaters.

The foundation of Avison's contemporary fame was his Essay on Musical Expression, published in 1752. It was the first work on musical criticism published in English.

Avison died on May 10, 1770. He is buried at St. Andrew's in Newcastle.

Influence

Avison continued the Italian style tradition which Geminiani had made so popular in London. In his Concerti Grossi, in particular, he carried on Geminiani's technique of modeling orchestral concertos after sonatas by older composers. His Essay on Musical Expression criticized Handel, who was much admired in England at the time. Francesco Geminiani (December 5, 1687 – September 17, 1762), Italian violinist, composer, and music theorist, was born at Lucca. ...

External Links

• 18th Century English Music - short biography
• http://www.naxos.com - brief Naxos biography and discography