Jean-Marie Leclair was the most eminent representative of the 18th-century French school of violin playing. This new release from the Editions du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles offers all violinists, as well as ensembles, whether specialists in this repertoire or not, the opportunity to perform his concertos, true manifestos of instrumental virtuosity at the service of French musical taste.

Jean-Marie Leclair was born in Lyon in 1697. From 1722 onward, he made several trips to Piedmont, where he notably studied with Somis, who passed on to him the teachings of the renowned Corelli. This encounter, pivotal for the composer, led him to embrace a career as a soloist. His virtuosity, always at the service of the music, completely revolutionised violin playing in France, creating a veritable school. From 1728, when his career began at the Concert Spirituel in Paris, until his assassination in 1764, he tirelessly wrote and performed, both for his instrument and in more ambitious works. This Violin Concerto, op VII no. 5, probably from 1737, is in A minor. In three movements (Allegro, Largo, Allegro assai), it lasts about fifteen minutes. In the style of a concerto grosso, a "Violino concertino" alternates between leading the orchestra and extensive solo passages. The orchestra consists of two violin parts, one viola, bass, and basso continuo.