The music of Jean-Marie Leclair exemplifies the values and aspirations of the Age of Enlightenment: clarity and rationality; balance, harmony and proportion; and avoidance of excess or exaggeration. Although Leclair is today more commonly remembered as the founder of the French school of violin writing, his flute compositions brilliantly exploit the technical and expressive resources of the instrument. Of particular note is the magisterial Chaconne from the Deuxième récréation de musique, described by John Solum (author of The Early Flute) as ‘one of the greatest movements ever conceived for flute’.

Disc 1

Jean-Marie Leclair

Flute Sonata in C major, Op. 1, No. 2

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:03:09
II. Corrente: Allegro 00:02:45
III. Gavotta: Grazioso 00:05:50
IV. Giga: Allegro 00:03:51
Flute Sonata in E minor, Op. 9, No. 2

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Dolce andante 00:03:04
II. Allemanda: Allegro ma non troppo 00:03:54
III. Sarabanda: Adagio 00:02:20
Flute Sonata in E minor, Op. 9, No. 2

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


IV. Minuetto: Allegro non troppo 00:03:02
Flute Sonata in G major, Op. 9, No. 7

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Dolce andante 00:03:31
II. Allegro ma non troppo 00:02:45
III. Aria: Affettuoso 00:03:23
IV. Giga: Allegro moderato 00:02:38
Flute Sonata in E minor, Op. 1, No. 6

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:03:05
II. Vivace 00:02:50
III. Aria: Affettuoso 00:03:16
IV. Allegro 00:02:42
Trio Sonata in D major, Op. 2, No. 8

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Jeppesen, Laura, viola da gamba
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:02:12
II. Allegro 00:02:10
III. Sarabanda: Largo 00:02:09
IV. Allegro assai 00:02:03

Disc 2

Jean-Marie Leclair

Flute Sonata in G major, Op. 2, No. 5

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Andante 00:02:55
II. Allegro ma poco 00:02:18
III. Gavotta: Grazioso 00:02:04
IV. Allegro assai 00:02:13
Flute Sonata in C major, Op. 2, No. 3

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:03:06
II. Allegro 00:01:39
III. Largo 00:02:46
IV. Giga: Allegro ma poco 00:02:06
Flute Sonata in B minor, Op. 2, No. 11

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:02:10
II. Allegro 00:01:59
III. Aria grazioso: Allegro ma non troppo 00:02:20
Flute Sonata in E minor, Op. 2, No. 1

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Adagio 00:02:22
II. Allegro ma poco 00:02:37
III. Sarabanda: Largo 00:02:36
IV. Allegro 00:03:36
Deuxieme recreation de musique d'une execution facile, Op. 8

Smith, Fenwick, flute
Krueger, Christopher, flute
Blustein, Laura, cello
Gibbons, John, harpsichord


I. Ouverture: Gravement - Legerement - Lentement 00:03:58
II. Forlane: Point trop vite 00:05:48
III. Sarabande: Lentement 00:02:19
IV. Menuet - Autre menuet 00:02:10
V. Badinage 00:01:46
VI. Chaconne 00:07:20
VII. Tambourin: Vite 00:02:58



Total Playing Time: 02:03:45