"Carl Czerny (1791-1857), the Viennese composer and pianist, produced a remarkable number of scores. They cover all genres except opera - most are for piano (or piano with other instruments). He published no less than 861 opuses (using 30 opus numbers more than once) as well as a large number of compositions without opus numbers (Werke ohne Opusnummer). In his monumental "Universal Handbook of Musical Literature: a practical and complete guide to all classical and modem musical publications from all countries" (1904-1910), Franz Pazdirek mentions 381 and, despite the title, his listing is not complete. As if that were not enough, Czerny also left behind a significant number of nonpublished manuscripts, probably amounting to several hundred works.

It is difficult to make sense of this overwhelming mass of scores. Czerny himself divided his music into four categories: exercises, easy music for beginners, brilliant music for recitals, and serious music. It is nevertheless not always easy to know which heading a given composition should be classified under.

Among the nocturnes in the present edition, five opuses include the word "Nocturne" in their titles. Such is the case for opus 368, 604 and 647, the seventeen nocturnes recorded by Isabelle Oehmichen (Editions Hortus). These are indisputably "serious music". Opus 253 is called "Le Golfe de Naples, Tableau Nocturne or Fantaisie Pittoresque". Might it be a nocturne? Undoubtedly. In any case, it has been included in the edition, and is definitely serious music. Opus 537 is a "Sentimental Nocturne on a theme of Strauss", inspired by Johann Strauss Senior's "Alexandra" waltz. Though it is not a totally original composition, Czerny's development, far removed from Strauss, calls for it to be considered as a Czerny nocturne. It is interesting to note that this composition, by title, should be part of the brilliant music category. Not serious then? Each person will have to decide for him or herself."

Richard d'Ari