Carl Czerny, a student of Beethoven – whose music remained an inspiration – occupied an important place in the musical landscape of his time as both performer and pedagogue. His own students, such as Liszt, transmitted his teaching principles which were available in a large number of groundbreaking exercises and études.

Czerny wrote his 30 Études de mécanisme, op.849 (‘30 Studies of Technique’), at a time of exceptionally high demand for teaching material. The Studies make use of a limited range of keys but are intended as an introduction for students to the ‘School of Velocity’. Perfectly placed between his simpler and more virtuosic Studies, Czerny’s Études have remained in demand to the present day.

Nicolas Horvath began his music studies at the Académie de Musique et de Théâtre Prince Rainier III, and at the age of 16 he caught the attention of the American conductor Lawrence Foster. His other mentors include a number of distinguished international pianists, including Bruno Leonardo Gelber, Gérard Frémy, Eric Heidsieck, Gabriel Tacchino, Nelson Delle-Vigne Fabbri, Philippe Entremont, Oxana Yablonskaya and Liszt specialist Leslie Howard. He is the holder of a number of awards, including First Prize of the Scriabin and the Luigi Nono International Competitions. He has become noted for hosting concerts of unusual length, sometimes lasting over twelve hours, such as the performance of the complete piano music of Philip Glass at the Paris Philharmonie before a cumulative audience of 14,000 people. He has performed with and played works by creative luminaries such as Lustmord, Danny Elfman and Philip Glass. Nicolas is a Steinway Artist.