When Albéric Magnard, in a suicidal and admirable gesture of passion and pride, perished on 3 September 1914 whilst defending his house, arms in hand, against the Germans, he immediately became a hero to the nation. And yet, then as now, he is little known. His compositions, starting in 1887 with magical piano pieces, noble and subtle jewels of poetry, through to his last chamber music composition, the dense and profound Cello Sonata (1910), allow us to rediscover an essential chapter of French music on the eve of the first World War.

Magnard’s sonata for cello and piano, his last chamber music composition (1910), is of great beauty, both concise and dense. His music for piano solo, presented here for the first time in toto, dates from his youth (1888-1890) and includes poetic pearls – magical, noble and subtle.

Philippe Guilhon-Herbert, an all-round artist with an eclectic career, studied with Michel Béroff, Denis Pascal and Jean-Claude Pennetier and graduated with first prizes in piano, ensemble playing and accompaniment. He is an active recitalist as well as chamber musician, in the traditional repertoire and in premieres of contemporary pieces.

Alain Meunier, a pupil of the great French cellist Maurice Maréchal, studied music in his native Paris. Awarded numerous diplomas from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, he then pursued a career as contrasting as it is atypical. From Alcan to Zafred, passing via Bach, Beethoven, Boulez, Xenakis and Yung, his musical wanderings are rich in encounters with all repertoires, with marvellous musicians and on his own. He is Director of the Festival d'Entrecasteaux (Var) and co-director of the Festival Quartets in Bordeaux (Chamber Music Festival & International String Quartet Competition).