The Beggar's Ensemble, Augustin Lusson - Leclair: Elite de bons mots (Violin Concertos) (2022) [Hi-Res]

Their first recording revealed a little-known work from the beginning of 18th century England, Richard Jones' Chamber Airs (1680-1744). For this second Flora recording, The Beggar's Ensemble founded by violinist Augustin Lusson and harpsichordist Daria Zemele (two young iconoclasts of the French early music scene) immerse themselves in the world of Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764), one of the most flamboyant violin virtuosos in Europe during the Age of Enlightenment.

Here, Augustin Lusson plays two concertos from Opus 7 as well as the last from Opus 10. The listener can better understand the very clear evolution of Leclair's style. With Opus 7, the composer makes a supreme synthesis of Italian baroque (Vivaldi, Corelli, Tartini) while his Opus 10 often announces the classical period (Mozart, Haydn). As a intermission, The Beggar's Ensemble offers a beautiful Cello Sonata by Jean-Baptiste Barrière, the cello counterpart of Leclair. This last Sonata from the Opus 2 culminates in a very lyrical third movement (Larghetto).

This recording is a fascinating dialogue between two central figures of 18th century France, both absolute masters of their instrument, but also through the centuries: in a very exciting way, the virtuosity of yesterday fulfils in the very committed playing of each musician of the Beggar's Ensemble. To listen very soon!