Leclair: Sonatas for Violin, Op. 1

With the publication of the first book of sonatas for violin and basso continuo, the present edition completes the series of four books that Jean-Marie Leclair composed (see volumes B 4, B 5, B 10, B 11, and B 58 for books two, three, and four).  Opus 1 was originally published in 1723 and was reissued sometime between 1743 and 1749.  This critical edition takes the original print as its primary source but includes readings—suitably marked or reported—from the reissue.  The sonatas of the first book are more conservative both in harmony and violin technique than are those of later books.  Still, these are challenging works that provide a fine introduction to those that would be composed later, works that combined the best of French and Italian influences and set Leclair apart from his contemporaries.

Sonata I in A Minor

Sonata II in C Major ("Cette sonata peut se jouer sur la flûte allemande")

Sonata III in B- flat Major

Sonata IV in D Major

Sonata V in A Major

Sonata VI in E Minor ("Cette sonata se peut jouer sur la flûte traversiere")

Sonata VII in F Major

Sonata VIII in G Major

Sonata IX in A Major

Sonata X in D Major

Sonata XI in B-flat Major

Sonata XII in B Minor

Charles Gower Price, Notes, June 1998; Angela East, Early Music Today, February/March 1997