Born in
Visbek, Lower Saxony, Cernota received his first piano lessons at the age of five and studied at the
Musikhochschule Köln and at the
Hochschule für Künste Bremen from 1974 to 1982 with Luciano Ortis,
Kurt Seibert and
Günter Ludwig, among others. From 1980 to 1995, he held several teaching posts for piano at the universities of Bremen and Oldenburg. From 1982 to 1983, he was also
répétiteur at the Goethe Theatre in Bremen. Cernota has released several recordings as a composer and concert pianist and has played in several radio and television recordings. He is also active as a visual artist with
performances,
sound art, painting and sculptures. His recordings of works by
Erik Satie and, together with the cellist
Thomas Beckmann, of works by
Charlie Chaplin are well known. The corresponding CD entitled
Oh! That Cello was awarded the "German Record Critics' Prize". == Publications ==