Hélène de Nervo de Montgeroult (1764–1836) was a student of Clementi in Paris. She survived the French Revolution – during which, as an aristocrat, her life was in grave danger – to become a celebrated pianist, composer and author of a famous piano method. Her compositional language in these nine sonatas is wide and includes Italianate models as well as elements that reflect the influence of Haydn and Mozart, with chromatic and surprising harmonies, contrasts of register, chorale-like nobility and brilliantly athletic finales. Featuring several world-première recordings, these sonatas represent a major contribution to the French repertoire of the late Classical and early Romantic periods.

The Monaco born, France based, pianist Nicolas Horvath is Grand Piano’s most versatile artist. His 17 albums for the label span repertoire from the classical period and until today. Nicolas has received numerous awards, including First Prize at the Scriabin and the Luigi Nono International Competitions, and is noted for concerts of unusual length, sometimes lasting over twelve hours, such as the overnight performance of the complete piano music of Erik Satie at the Paris Philharmonie before a cumulative audience of 14,000 people. In 2019 he performed alongside Philip Glass at the same venue in a programme devoted to the American composer’s piano music. Horvath’s much-admired discography for our label includes the highly acclaimed Philip Glass solo piano edition, Glassworlds; the complete piano works of Erik Satie (New Salabert edition); Carl Czerny’s 30 Études; lesser-known piano music by Claude Debussy; piano sonatas by the Estonian composer Jaan Rääts; and music by the American experimental composer Alvin Lucier. His latest project brings to life forgotten masterpieces by French female composers, including world premiere recordings of piano sonatas by Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy and Helene de Montgeroult. Nicolas is a Steinway Artist.