Composer: Jean-Marie Leclair
Performer: Laurence Cummings, Jonathan Manson, Adrian Butterfield
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8572867
Release: 2013
Size: 424 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Violin Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 7
01. I. Largo
02. II. Allegro ma poco
03. III. Aria: Allegro ma non troppo
04. IV. Giga: Allegro
Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 2, No. 6
05. I. Adagio – Allegro ma poco
06. II. Largo
07. III. Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Sonata in E Major, Op. 2, No. 9
08. I. Adagio
09. II. Allegro ma poco
10. III. Adagio
11. IV. Allegro
Violin Sonata in C Minor, Op. 2, No. 10
12. I. Adagio
13. II. Vivace
14. III. Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Sonata in B Minor, Op. 2, No. 11
15. I. Adagio
16. II. Allegro
17. III. Aria gratioso: Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Sonata in G Minor, Op. 2, No. 12
18. I. Adagio
19. II. Allegro ma non troppo
20. III. Aria: Gratioso
21. IV. Allegro
Five years after the publication of his first book of sonatas, Jean-Marie Leclair, the great exponent of the emerging French violin school, released his second book. He had continued to be influenced by the lyricism and virtuosity of Italian models but, concerned that the technical demands of his writing might prove excessive, ensured that a handful could be played either on the flute or the violin. Yet he continued to make considerable advances and the level of melodic invention and expressive intensity remained untouched. Together with Naxos 8572866 this is the first complete recording of Leclair’s Op. 2 Sonatas.
Given Leclair’s standing as one of the great figures in the early French violin school, it is surprising that this release completes the first survey of his Op. 2 sonatas. The performers are all highly regarded in baroque music and have all received much critical acclaim.