Czerny - Op.821 - 160 Eight-Measure Exercises (selection) (part 1)

Finally! Having been very busy recently I haven't managed to upload Op.821 as soon as I would have liked to.

Take note that i'm posting a selection as opposed to the full set.

All pieces are recorded, but I simply don't have enough time to edit the images and sound for every piece.

For me, Op.821 is Czerny's masterwork. I've played almost everything by Czerny, but this set deserves recognition - in terms of musical variety, and its contribution to the piano repertoire/piano technique.

I'm hoping these videos help in establishing Czerny's reputation as one of the most important composers for and educators of piano in the history of the instrument. For many years Czerny has had a negative reputation - I believe it is partly through lack of availability of his music.

The musical worth of these exercises (aside from their technical merits) is great indeed.

Recording all 160 was a huge project, despite each piece lasting only 8 bars. Certain exercises are very difficult indeed.

RE the recording - all pieces were recorded with a metronome (i'd have a set of headphones on with a click track). To play as rhythmically accurate as you hear took great work - i'd record a piece, import it into Cubase, look at it through a sequencer, and see where my rhythm was uneven (i.e a semiquaver may have been out by a few hundredths of a second - this doesn't sound like much, but is apparent to the ear). Do this daily for 6 months to a year and you eventually get a rhythmically true performance!

This became obsessive - some pieces are actually up to take 65, due to the want for the rhythmic precision I desired.

Ultimately I want to release a player's edition, with fully edited fingering (giving all options as opposed to just one specific fingering), and an explanation on the technical difficulties of each piece. And an accompanying CD, of course!

More videos coming soon

:))

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Czerny
• piano
• Op.821
• 821
• 160
• eight
• measure
• exercises
• bar

[benritmato]

This is nice to see! Thanks for uploading. I hope one day you'll find time to put in the missing numbers! (I'm working on # 13 right now.)

[dankozh]

krislennoxpiano - This is an incredible work you did. I started 821 with Nr. 1 about a year ago and are now at Nr. 67. I agree, this is indeed a very efficient way to improve technique. Pedagogically subtle since from time to time there is a piece that is a real challenge, a "quantum leap" compared to the predecessing ones (eg. No 32, 42, 54, 59) - but great feeling when mastered. It helps so much to hear the pieces, played by a professional. Looking forward to your videos!

[seoreb]

please post the rest.

[AdamJonstromer]

Effortless technique! Really enjoyed your work!

[codonauta]

The rest of the op 821 , will we can hear one day? :)

[EugenArbrakh]

Czerny was a true master and a wonderful composer. I've read that you played almost everything by Czerny... what's your opinion about op.27 Fantasy? :D