prima vista
Italian composer
Definition
Sight-reading. Czerny was one of the great pedagogues of sight-reading and composed many of his collections partly to develop this skill through regular exposure to new keys, rhythms, and figurations.
Interpretive Guidance
Czerny recommended practising sight-reading daily, treating each étude as sight-reading material on first encounter rather than immediately repeating it. This builds the reflex reading of key signatures, accidentals, and hand positions that is essential for pianists who need to learn repertoire quickly. The systematic key rotation of Op. 299 serves this pedagogical goal directly.