Muzio CLEMENTI 1752 —1832

Many of us encountered Clementi's music at an early stage of our musical education, being given one of his Sonatinas Op 36, or perhaps some of the exercises from Gradus ad Parnassum to learn. There seems to be a tendancy for such experiences to innoculate us against further study of his music

Clementi was born in Italy, the son of a silversmith. His musical talents were evident at an early age; at the age of 14 he accepted an offer from a wealthy Englishman, Sir Peter Beckford, to live in his manor in Dorset. In exchange for performing as a pianist as requited Clementi was provided with board and lodging and musical tuition.

When he was 21 he moved to London and embarked on a very successful career, first as a virtuoso pianist and composer, and later in business — as a music publisher and manufacturer of pianos. He took control of the early career of John Field, teaching him while employing him in the Clementi piano warehouse to show off the quality of the instruments. In 1803 he took Field on a successful concert tour of Europe, ending in St Petersburg, where Field remained, and indeed settled for life. Clementi continued to live in England, eventually retiring to Evesham, where he died.

He was a prolific composer, especially for the keyboard, and some of his sonatas deserve to be heard. They continue to be played by a few concert pianists: Horovitz recorded a group of them. I plan to include quite a number in this collection eventually — the Minuet above is a very small start in this direction!

Comments are welcome. Please write to williamww@aol.com    Last modified: 01 July 2008.