Jean-Marie Leclair (1697–1764) was an influential French Baroque composer and violinist, credited with pioneering the French violin school. Born on May 10, 1697, in Lyon, Leclair was initially trained as a dancer and lace-maker, but his musical talent soon steered him towards a career in music. His skills with the violin were enhanced during a stay in Turin, where he studied under Giovanni Battista Somis, a student of the legendary Arcangelo Corelli. This cross-pollination of Italian and French musical traditions would become a hallmark of Leclair's style.

Leclair's oeuvre primarily consists of instrumental music which showcases his mastery of the violin. His compositions include sonatas for violin, chamber works, and his only opera, "Scylla et Glaucus," Op. 11, which had its premiere at the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris. Leclair's innovative "Second Livre de Sonates à deux violons sans basse," Op. 12, illustrates his skill in counterpoint and harmony, involving two violins in intricate musical dialogues without bass accompaniment—a rarity at the time. Although his life ended tragically—he was found murdered under mysterious circumstances—Leclair's legacy lives on. His works are celebrated for their melodic beauty, technical demands, and expressive qualities which have had a lasting impact on the development of violin technique and French music.

Genres

Baroque

Classical Era

French Baroque

Latest Release

Leclair: Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 3 No. 3: II. Adagio

Jean-Marie Leclair

Single - Released May 24, 2024