Leclair established himself as the founder of the French School of violin playing with his four books of Sonatas, including the Op. 1 featured on this album.
Compositional Technique
Leclair's Op. 1 sonatas often feature a viola da gamba and harpsichord for the continuo, allowing for variety in bass lines due to the gamba's extended low range.
Performer Biography
Adrian Butterfield, the baroque violinist on this album, is also the Musical Director of the Tilford Bach Society and Associate Musical Director of the London Handel Festival.
Interpretation
Leclair, the composer, was particular about tempo, stating that 'Allegro' meant a 'gay movement' rather than a very fast one, a comment directed at violinists who played his music too quickly.
Composer Biography
Jean-Marie Leclair, the composer, was born in Lyon, the son of a lacemaker, and studied dancing and violin.
Compositional Technique
Leclair's Op. 1 violin sonatas are heavily influenced by Arcangelo Corelli, whose Op. 5 violin sonatas were reprinted over fifty times in the 18th century.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Leclair's music, particularly his first book of violin sonatas, aimed to fuse French and Italian styles, known as 'les goûts réunis'.
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