Montgeroult: Complete Piano Sonatas

Featuring

Nicolas Horvath
Hélène de Montgeroult

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Historical Context

Hélène de Montgeroult's life was saved during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror by the founder of the Institut National de Musique, who convinced the Revolutionary Tribunal she was indispensable as one of France's greatest pianists.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Hélène de Montgeroult was influential in developing the expressive cantabile style of the 19th century, not only as a performer and composer but also as the author of a celebrated piano method.

Performer Biography

Nicolas Horvath, the pianist on this recording, is known for his musical explorations and is an enthusiastic promoter of contemporary music, having commissioned numerous works and collaborated with leading contemporary composers.

Album & Artwork

This album includes world premiere recordings of several of Hélène de Montgeroult's piano sonatas.

Instruments

The fortepiano, Hélène de Montgeroult's instrument, had a lighter sound than a modern piano, with bass notes resonating with a light buzz and slightly narrower keys that facilitated fast passages.

Compositional Technique

Hélène de Montgeroult's piano method, 'Cours complet pour l'enseignement du forte piano', focuses on techniques to produce a sustained cantabile or singing sound, similar to a voice or bowed string instrument.

Composer Biography

Hélène de Montgeroult, a distinguished pianist, composer, and teacher, made a major contribution to French piano repertoire of the late Classic and early Romantic periods.