Violin Sonatas • 1

Violin Sonatas, Book 1, Vol.1 (Nos. 1-4)


Adrian Butterfield (baroque violin)
Alison McGillivray (viola da gamba)
Laurence Cummings (harpsichord)

•With his four books of Sonatas, Jean-Marie Leclair established himself as the founder of the French School of violin playing, whose elegance he enlivened with the lyricism of the Italian baroque master, Corelli.

•The first four from Leclair’s first book of violin sonatas balance humour, flamboyance and rustic charm with many technical challenges.

•The artists on this recording are accomplished interpreters of early music, having performed with leading period instrument ensembles including the Hanover Band, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Academy of Ancient Music.

“[Leclair’s] sonatas have a sparkle which sets them apart from his contemporaries… there is a definite and pervasive sense of personality throughout…. The music, as played here, is fresh and imaginative, with the pre-requisite grandeur as necessary, contrasting the frivolous and technical fast movements and expressive adagios.” MusicWeb International