Leclair's four publications of sonatas for the violin seem to reflect, in microcosm, the general development of violin performance in France. The first two books (1722 and 1728) present relatively straightforward dance and sonata movements of moderate difficulty, the third and fourth books (as featured here), written in 1734 and c1738-1743 show considerable developments in violin technique together with a bolder harmonic style. The Quatrième livre de sonates (Op 9, dedicated to Princess Anne of The Netherlands) shows an interesting development of the more virtuosic style that the composer first displayed in the third book only a few years before.