Duvernoy’s Op. 276, No. 9 is a lyrical piano study in C major, written in common time and marked Sostenuto. The music is gentle and expressive, with the opening direction dolce asking for a sweet tone. The main technical focus is smooth sixteenth-note motion, especially in the left hand at the beginning, while the right hand holds longer singing notes above it. Students should focus on even fingerwork, relaxed hand motion, clear voicing, and keeping the melody calm while the accompaniment moves steadily underneath.

Measures 1–4 introduce the main texture. The right hand plays long sustained melody notes, while the left hand moves in smooth sixteenth-note patterns below. The challenge is to keep the left hand even and soft enough that the right-hand melody can sing clearly.

Measures 5–7 repeat and strengthen the opening idea. The dynamic grows to mf, but the character should remain smooth and lyrical. The left hand continues the flowing accompaniment while the right hand sustains the longer upper line.

Measures 8–12 shift the moving pattern into the right hand. Both hands briefly become more active, then the right hand takes over the flowing sixteenth-note motion while the left hand supports with longer notes. This section helps the student practice the same smooth technique in a new hand position.

Measures 13–15 continue the right-hand motion on the second page. The melody and accompaniment are closely connected, with the right hand carrying most of the moving line while the left hand supports with sustained bass tones. The phrase should remain connected and controlled.

Measures 16–18 bring a softer, more expressive passage marked p. The right hand continues the flowing motion, and the left hand adds simple bass notes underneath. The crescendo and diminuendo markings help shape the phrase naturally.

Measures 19–21 change the texture again. The left hand becomes more active with moving sixteenth notes, while the right hand plays longer chord tones above. This is an important coordination section because the student must keep the moving hand even while the upper notes remain steady and balanced.

Measures 22 to the end form the closing passage. Both hands become more active, with flowing sixteenth-note motion shared across the keyboard. The music gradually softens through a diminuendo and ends with a quiet pp final chord, bringing the study to a peaceful close.

Interesting fact: Duvernoy’s Op. 276 is titled Preparatory School of Velocity. The collection was written to help students develop quick, even finger motion before moving on to more advanced velocity studies, especially those by Czerny.