Czerny, Karl

views updated Jun 11 2018

Czerny, Karl (b Vienna, 1791; d Vienna, 1857). Austrian pianist, teacher, and composer. Pf. pupil 1800–3 and friend of Beethoven, who admired him. Début Vienna 1800 in Mozart C minor conc. (K491). Later was soloist in Beethoven's C minor conc. and, at its f. Vienna p. in 1812, E♭ conc. Also influenced by Hummel and Clementi. Was popular teacher at age 15. Pupils incl. Beethoven's nephew Karl, and 9-year-old Liszt. Indefatigable composer and arranger, works numbering more than 1,000 and incl. examples of every form from operas to pf. solos, but best known for his instructive studies. Arr. operas, oratorios, and syms. for pf(s). (incl. arrs. of Rossini's Semiramide and William Tell ovs. for 8 pf., 4 hands each). Contrib. to Hexaméron.

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