Czerny, Carl : 48 études en forme de préludes et cadences Op.161
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：etude
Copyright：Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Ueda, Yasushi
Last Updated: November 7, 2014
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Author : Ueda, Yasushi
Czerny's early collection of etudes. It is believed to have been composed in his late 30s, when he had already established his reputation as a teacher. This work heralded the expansion of Czerny's international reputation as an educator, and it was also the first collection of Czerny's etudes to be published in Paris.
The 48 pieces are arranged in an alternating pattern of major keys and their relative minor keys, completing a cycle through all keys by No. 24. Many of the latter 24 pieces are longer than those in the first half. The collection concludes in E minor, likely to avoid excessive repetition of C major and A minor compared to other keys.
Although it is a collection of etudes, the title features the unique expression "in the form of Preludes and Cadenzas." Preludes are very short pieces traditionally used to check the tuning of string instruments like lutes and guitars, and simultaneously to warm up the fingers. This genre gradually established itself as a compositional style through works for organ and harpsichord. Chopin's Preludes, Op. 28, are meticulously composed works, yet they retain a vestige of the prelude genre in their brevity. In Czerny's collection, especially in the first half, some pieces are less than eight measures long. On the other hand, a cadenza is a brilliant, ornamental passage, often improvised over a dominant chord fermata in vocal arias or concertos, and frequently concludes with a florid trill. Pieces No. 28 to No. 31 in this collection are written in the style of cadenzas for keyboard instruments.
The tempos are predominantly Allegro and Presto, which characterizes the practical aspect of practicing with agility. However, a small number of pieces, such as Nos. 5, 7, 12, and 44, also emphasize lyrical melodic expression. No. 38 is an exercise in playing modulating chorale-like harmonies, and the fact that this collection is not exclusively focused on agility is one of its characteristics.
The tempo indications in the list below are based on the first Paris edition.
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Movements (48)
Allegretto molto con energia Op.161-10
Key: f-moll
Moderato legatissimo Op.161-12
Key: b-moll
Allegro vivo e spiritoso Op.161-13
Key: Ges-Dur
Molto allegro energico Op.161-18
Key: cis-moll
Andantino grazioso con anima Op.161-19
Key: A-Dur
Allegoro vivace con brio Op.161-22
Key: h-moll
Allegro agitato ed energico Op.161-29
Key: B-Dur