Louis Vierne is renowned as one of the most brilliant of all French organ composers. His piano works are little known despite their colourful, imaginative and inspiring treatment of the instrument. The early Deux Pièces owe their lyrical style to Mendelssohn, while the Suite bourguignonne exudes an atmosphere of joie de vivre and romantic contentment. Impressionism can be heard in the Trois Nocturnes, the third of which is considered one of Vierne’s masterpieces with its evocative use of birdsong, while the shadows of war echo in the solemn Poème des cloches funèbres. This is the first of two albums covering repertoire that deserves a place in the pantheon of French piano music.

Louis Vierne’s name will always be associated with the organ. But his piano music is more private in expression than his organ works, and perhaps as a result of this there are very few recordings dedicated to his oeuvre.

Critically acclaimed Steinway Artist Sergio Monteiro was awarded First Prize at the 2nd Martha Argerich International Piano Competition in Buenos Aires in 2013. Martha Argerich said that ‘Sergio Monteiro is an artist with extraordinary creativity and energy. When he starts playing, music comes to life. His love for music is very strong and passionate, and music loves him in return. His pianism is brilliant, extremely generous, inspired and particularly interesting. It is a pure joy and very stimulating.’