The grand motets for soloists, choir, and orchestra by Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (1711-1772) are part of the great treasure trove of 18th-century French music. Situated between Baroque and Classical music, these all-too-little-known works of powerful choruses and expressive arias offer a glimpse of the heavens “à la française”!
A contemporary of Mondonville, the famous violinist Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764) distinguished himself not only by the excellence of his playing but also by the magnitude of his compositions, which propelled the violin in France to a whole new level through the virtuosity and unparalleled imagination of this neglected composer.
