Scan 72
Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of Celebrated Violinists, 1877
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1appeared as a dancer at Rouen. But having been engaged as ballet-master at Turin, Somis, who was pleased with Lecler's playing, gave him some lessons, by which he made rapid progress. On leaving this celebrated tutor, he was already a musician of considerable ability, and in his travels seems to have acquired a style peculiar to himself, remarkable more especially for its spirit and energy. He then abandoned dancing, and devoted himself entirely to the violin. The Duc de Grammont, who had some lessons from him, allowed him a pension, and otherwise protected him until he was appointed concert-master to Louis XV. According to Fétis he arrived in Paris in 1729, and was first engaged in the orchestra of the Opera, and afterwards in the King's band. He may be said, by his extraordinary labours, to have created a new school of violin-playing in France; his compositions are difficult, and some are performed occasionally by artistes of the present day. In 1723 he composed a collection of solos, soon followed by others, and then by sonatas, duos, trios, and concertos. The influence of these compositions may be traced in the French violin music of the present period.
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