Concerts
April 14
Leclair & Rameau: the Age of Enlightenment
a co-production with Portland Baroque Orchestra

— Nicholas Anderson, Gramophone
Violins
Viol
Harpsichord
Program
François Couperin:
Sonata in G Minor “La Paix du Parnasse” for two violins and continuo
Jean-Marie Leclair:
Sonata in F Major, op. 3, no. 4, for two violins
Jean-Philippe Rameau:
Prelude and Gavotte with variations in A Minor for harpsichord
Jean-Philippe Rameau:
Concert no. 5 for harpsichord, violin, and viol
Antoine Forqueray:
“La Couperin” for viola da gamba and continuo
Jean-Marie Leclair:
Deuxième Récréation de Musique, op. 8, for two violins and continuo
“…hallmarks of Schenkman’s chamber music: fresh and vital performances, solid ensemble playing, and a sense of spontaneity.”
— King FM
Program Notes
Jean-Marie Leclair was a French-born violinist who studied in Italy and then returned to work primarily in Paris. Although he composed an opera and other stage works, most of his music is for violin and is often quite virtuosic. In addition to many violin sonatas with continuo accompaniment, Leclair published twelve sonatas for two violins without continuo offering two virtuoso violinists the opportunity to take turns accompanying each other.
French Baroque composers often paid tribute to patrons or colleagues in the titles of their works. La Cupis is a tribute to the famous dancer Marie Anne de Cupis; La Forqueray and La Marais honor the two greatest viol players of the time. One contemporary famously described Marais as playing like an angel while Forqueray played like the devil. Forqueray’s output includes pieces honoring Couperin, Leclair, and Rameau