Richard D’Ari writes:
“The scores presented here are taken from the original editions, which we are thus rescuing—almost in their entirety—from an undeserved and long-lasting oblivion. They were found in four major libraries—Paris, Berlin, London, and Chicago—and their composition spans the period from 1831 (Op. 251) to 1845 (Op. 756).”
Among Carl Czerny’s vast output—a composer best known for his countless technical studies—the Nocturnes collection published by Éditions Henry Lemoine holds a special place. This rare edition brings together, for the first time, all of Czerny’s known nocturnes, including Opp. 368, 604, 647, as well as the Tableau nocturne, Op. 253, and several individual pieces that were once issued under the titles Notturnino or Notturnina.
This volume sheds light on a lesser-known side of Czerny: that of the lyrical and poetic composer, capable of evoking serene and dreamlike atmospheres, far removed from the mechanical virtuosity so often associated with his name. Czerny’s nocturnes, fewer and more understated than those of Chopin or Field, nonetheless reveal a refined style and an unexpected melodic sensitivity.
The value of this publication also lies in its rarity. Many of these works had, until recently, remained scattered across old editions or unpublished since the nineteenth century. The carefully prepared Lemoine edition finally makes this repertoire accessible to pianists and scholars eager to explore a more intimate and expressive side of Czerny. A true rediscovery, this collection will appeal both to lovers of piano history and to performers seeking to enrich their repertoire with original, rarely played works.
