History has not been kind to Muzio Clementi. The “father of the pianoforte”, as he was known throughout the British Empire in the 19th century, is remembered chiefly today for his Op. 36 Sonatinas, encountered by most pianists early in their training. These paint an inaccurate and unfair portrait of Clementi as a dry academic, when in fact he was one of the most dynamic and respected musicians of his time. Clementi was a child prodigy at the organ and was playing services by the age of 9. Being of limited means, Clementi’s family sold him at the age of 14 as an indentured servant to Peter Beckford, a nouveau riche Englishman, in the hope of advancing his musical education. Upon gaining his freedom, Clementi became an advocate of the piano and developed a reputation as an executant of sensational technical feats, making him the first true piano virtuoso. His sonatas were considered essential to the piano repertoire by no less than Beethoven, who taught all of them.
The Toccata, Op. 11 featured in the famous contest at which Clementi and Mozart unwittingly found themselves on Christmas Eve, 1781, thanks to some deceptive dinner invitations by Emperor Joseph of Austria. An early work, it is a showpiece for consecutive thirds; the endurance required for their execution in this piece had probably never before been witnessed and would undoubtedly have amazed the emperor’s guests. Unaccustomed to being outshone on his own turf, Mozart wrote in a jealous rage to his sister, “Clementi is a ciarlatano, like all Italians... What he really does well are his passages in thirds; but he sweated over them day and night in London. Apart from this, he can do nothing, absolutely nothing…” Andrew Brownell
Classical Music | Piano Music
Muzio Clementi
Toccata Play
Recorded on 03/16/2011, uploaded on 09/30/2011
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
History has not been kind to Muzio Clementi. The “father of the pianoforte”, as he was known throughout the British Empire in the 19th century, is remembered chiefly today for his Op. 36 Sonatinas, encountered by most pianists early in their training. These paint an inaccurate and unfair portrait of Clementi as a dry academic, when in fact he was one of the most dynamic and respected musicians of his time. Clementi was a child prodigy at the organ and was playing services by the age of 9. Being of limited means, Clementi’s family sold him at the age of 14 as an indentured servant to Peter Beckford, a nouveau riche Englishman, in the hope of advancing his musical education. Upon gaining his freedom, Clementi became an advocate of the piano and developed a reputation as an executant of sensational technical feats, making him the first true piano virtuoso. His sonatas were considered essential to the piano repertoire by no less than Beethoven, who taught all of them.
The Toccata, Op. 11 featured in the famous contest at which Clementi and Mozart unwittingly found themselves on Christmas Eve, 1781, thanks to some deceptive dinner invitations by Emperor Joseph of Austria. An early work, it is a showpiece for consecutive thirds; the endurance required for their execution in this piece had probably never before been witnessed and would undoubtedly have amazed the emperor’s guests. Unaccustomed to being outshone on his own turf, Mozart wrote in a jealous rage to his sister, “Clementi is a ciarlatano, like all Italians... What he really does well are his passages in thirds; but he sweated over them day and night in London. Apart from this, he can do nothing, absolutely nothing…” Andrew Brownell
More music by Muzio Clementi
Sonata in B-flat Major, Op.24 No.2
Sonatine op. 36:1:1
Sonatine op. 36:3:1
Sonata in F-Sharp minor, Op. 25, No. 5
Waltz in C Major, Op. 39, No. 9
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata No. 11 in B-flat Major, Op. 22
Moment musicaux, D. 780 No. 2
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