Jean-Baptiste Leclère

What’s the biggest misconception people
have about percussionists?

People often seem to think that anyone can play percussion in an orchestra! Especially the triangle… But playing percussion in an orchestra requires a perfect understanding of the entire orchestra’s score, flawless technique on each instrument played, and the ability to find and play the perfect “color” for each intervention. We are the salt and pepper — the spices of the orchestra.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about playing percussion?

Every sound is music. Every note you play has a musical identity.

Have you ever experimented
with unconventional percussion instruments?

Clogs! It was for the premiere of Karl Jenkins’ concerto, Alawon, in 2021. Playing in the famous Festival Interceltique de l’Orient with “industrial” clogs bought online was impossible! We searched and found one of the last traditional wooden clog makers in France, Joël Pierre. His family has been making clogs since the 1600s. I visited him, and he crafted a pair for this special occasion.

What piece of art do you associate with Mahler’s Fifth Symphony?

A painting by William
Turner. In his works, there is always light even when the expression
of nature is wild and raging.

Can you give examples of famous dances in which percussion instruments play a vital role?

Percussion instruments’ rhythmic qualities serve as a superb complement to choreographic movement. One of the most iconic percussion instruments is the tambourine. There are many types of tambourines, such as the “pandeiro” used in Brazilian dances like the Samba and Forró, or the “reqq” (it should be “riqq”) used in Arabic music and dances.

Utopia in three words?

Humanity, passion, elevation.