Leclair, Jean-Marie (1697-1764)

French composer and violinist. Originally a dancer and ballet-master, he composed ballet music, an opera, Scylla et Glaucus (1746), and violin concertos.

Leclair was born in Lyon. He began his career as a dancer, and in 1722 was a ballet master in Turin, Italy, but while there turned to the violin, studying with Giovanni Battista Somis. In 1728 he settled in Paris, France, where he had great success as a player and composer. He was a member of the royal orchestra 1734-36, then went to Holland, returning to Paris after various travels in 1743. For a time he was in the service of Don Philip of Spain at Chambéry, and joined the orchestra of the Duke of Gramont in 1748. He met his death at the hand of an unknown murderer.

Works Stage opera Scylla et Glaucus (1746; concert performance London, 1979); ballets and ‘divertissements’.

Other 12 violin concertos; 48 violin sonatas; violin duets; trio sonatas.