Album: Avison, Concerti Grossi Opus 9 and 10 – Avison Ensemble/Beznosiuk (Divine Art)

Forgotten for two centuries, the music of Newcastle's premier composer, concert organiser and essayist Charles Avison (1709-1770) has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance since cellist Gordon Dixon found a bundle of his scores hidden in a cupboard and formed the Avison Ensemble. The fifth recording in the group's series of discs devoted to music from the North-east, Avison's Opus 9 and Opus 10 'Concerti Grossi' are sweetly melodic, succinct and conservative. Led by Pavlo Beznosuik, the ensemble does its composer proud in a stylish series of sturdy allegros, graceful largos and delicate, attractive arias.

Pick of the Album: Avison in pastoral mode in the concerto Opus 9, No 2