Piano Teacher and Composer. Born in Vienna, he was precociously gifted as a pianist and studied with Hummel, Salieri, and Beethoven before making his performing debut in 1800. Beethoven thought well enough of Czerny's abilities to entrust him with the premieres of his Piano Concerto No. 1 (1806) and Piano Concerto No. 5 (the "Emperor", 1812). But Czerny disliked life as a touring virtuoso and chose to remain in Vienna, composing and teaching. By the age of 15 he was already a sought-after piano instructor; his greatest pupils were Franz Liszt, Sigismond Thalberg, and Stephen Heller. Liszt dedicated his famous "Transcendental Etudes" to his former teacher. Czerny composed nearly 1000 works, including symphonies, masses, and chamber music, but they are rarely performed and much of his output remains unpublished. His notoriety rests on his many books of studies and exercises, which had an enormous influence on 19th Century piano technique. Czerny's "The School of Velocity" and "The Art of Finger Dexterity" are still used (and dreaded) by piano students around the world. In 1842 Czerny published an autobiography, "Memories of My Life". He never married.
Piano Teacher and Composer. Born in Vienna, he was precociously gifted as a pianist and studied with Hummel, Salieri, and Beethoven before making his performing debut in 1800. Beethoven thought well enough of Czerny's abilities to entrust him with the premieres of his Piano Concerto No. 1 (1806) and Piano Concerto No. 5 (the "Emperor", 1812). But Czerny disliked life as a touring virtuoso and chose to remain in Vienna, composing and teaching. By the age of 15 he was already a sought-after piano instructor; his greatest pupils were Franz Liszt, Sigismond Thalberg, and Stephen Heller. Liszt dedicated his famous "Transcendental Etudes" to his former teacher. Czerny composed nearly 1000 works, including symphonies, masses, and chamber music, but they are rarely performed and much of his output remains unpublished. His notoriety rests on his many books of studies and exercises, which had an enormous influence on 19th Century piano technique. Czerny's "The School of Velocity" and "The Art of Finger Dexterity" are still used (and dreaded) by piano students around the world. In 1842 Czerny published an autobiography, "Memories of My Life". He never married.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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