Napoléon Coste was arguably the most significant French guitar virtuoso of the 19th century. By the age of 18 he was giving guitar lessons and performing as a soloist at the Philharmonic Society concerts in Valenciennes. In 1830 he moved to Paris to pursue his career and was quickly associating with the best contemporary artists of his day. Perhaps his greatest achievement lies in the impetus he gave to the rebirth of interest in the Romantic guitar. This disc includes compositions written during the last decade of his life, representing Coste at his most imaginative and expressive.