Charles Avison

Baroque English Composer and Organist

Charles Avison (1709–1770) was an English composer during the Baroque period, best known for his work as a concert organist and for his concerti grossi. Avison's most significant contribution to the music world is his adaptation of keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti into concerto form, which he published as "12 Concerti Grossi after the Keyboard Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti." His own compositions include a series of Concerti Grossi, Op. 3 and Op. 6, which were influenced by the style of Arcangelo Corelli, as well as his later works under Op. 9 and Op. 10. Avison's work was well-regarded in his time, and he held various musical posts throughout his career, including that of organist at St John's and St Nicholas's churches in Newcastle upon Tyne. His essays on music, particularly "An Essay on Musical Expression," also contributed to his reputation as a thoughtful and influential musical theorist of his era.