Eight Concertos In Seven Parts ... Dedicated to Lady Milbanke. Opera Quarta. Reduced from one Guinea to 15s
London: Printed and Sold by John Welcker at his Music and Instrument Warehouse No. 10 Hay Market Opposite the Opera House, [1778].
Folio. Disbound. Engraved throughout.
Violino primo concertino: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto typeset "Advertisement," verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-29 pp. (including two blanks)
Violino secondo concertino: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-21 pp.
Violino primo ripieno: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-21 pp.
Violino secondo ripieno: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-17 pp.
Alto viola: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-16 pp.
Violoncello: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-23 pp. (including one blank)
Basso ripieno: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 2-17 pp.
BUC p. 68. RISM A2918 (no copies recorded in the U.S.)
Together with:
An additional copy of the the Violino primo concertino part from the first edition:
Eight Concertos In Seven Parts for four Violins, one Alto Viola, a Violoncello, and a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord Dedicated to Lady Milbanke ... Opera Quarta. London: Printed for John Johnson at the Harp & Crown, Cheapside, 1755. 1f. (recto blank, verso elaborate engraved frontispiece by C. Grignion after Gravelet incorporating a muse with a music book tuning a lyre, two putti, a cello and transverse flute, and grand palaces in the background), 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto dedication, verso blank), 1f. (recto typeset "Advertisement," verso blank), [iii] (typeset subscribers list), [i] (blank), 2-29 pp. (including two blanks). First Edition. BUC p. 68. RISM A2917 and AA2917.
With numbering in contemporary manuscript to some pieces.
Occasional minor browning, soiling, foxing, and small stains, mainly marginal; one signature partially detached.
Avison, an English composer, conductor, writer on music and organist, "was the most important English concerto composer of the 18th century and an original and influential writer on music. ... In general, Avison's concertos are modelled on Geminiani’s; stylistically there is little difference between the early works and the late ones. If somewhat lightweight in texture and content, Avison's concertos are unusually tuneful; he was a firm believer in the value of ‘air’ or melody. His op. 4 no.4 was very popular in the Concert of Antient Music, where it was much played between 1785 and 1812 along with concertos by Corelli, Geminiani, Sammartini and Handel." Norris L. Stephens in Grove Music Online.
Item #40399
Price: $850.00 other currencies