Leclair's music aimed to fuse French and Italian styles, a concept known as 'les goûts réunis', which was a significant aspiration of his era.
Compositional Technique
Leclair's second book of sonatas shows significant technical developments from his first, including extensive use of double-stopping, high positions, bariolage, and rapid staccato bowings.
Instruments
Adrian Butterfield plays a baroque violin made in 1996 by David Rubio, modeled after a 1734 Guarnerius del Gesù violin known as the 'Rode'.
Composer Biography
Jean-Marie Leclair, the composer, was born in Lyon to a lacemaker and studied dancing and violin, following the French dancing-master tradition.
Critical Reception
Leclair's second book of sonatas was popular in its time, evidenced by its appearance in at least three editions and boosted by his successful performances at the Concerts spirituels in Paris.
Composition History
Leclair's second book of sonatas was published in 1728, five years after his first, and was engraved by his second wife, Louise Catherine Roussel.
Recording & Production
This album is the first complete recording of Leclair's Book 2 sonatas, which have been somewhat neglected in favor of his later works.
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