Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) was one of the most influential pianist composers of the late classical period. A friend of Beethoven, the teacher of John Field, and rival to Mozart as a piano virtuoso. He was also a publisher and a piano manufacturer. His upbringing was unconventional to say the least - his family ‘sold’ him to an English nobleman Peter Beckford, who took him to his country estate in Dorset where he received the education of a young Englishman, and taught music to the daughters of the Beckford family.

Clementi eventually moved to London where he quickly made the acquaintance of Salomon, Dussek, Cramer and Haydn and made his name as one of the foremost composers for the piano of his time. He was also closely associated with the technical development of the piano towards the grand pianos we are used to today in concert halls.

His late sonatas inhabit an early romantic world, and are very impressive works that for-shadow Beethoven in places. The works in this 3CD set date from the years 1791-1802 when Clementi was based in London. The second of the Op.34 Sonatas in G minor is an especially striking work, and is followed by a wonderful free spirited Capriccio, which sounds almost improvisatory - a good example of Clementi’s forward looking nature as a composer.

The Op.36 Sonatinas have proved the most long lived of all his compositions, and known to all aspiring pianists. They get more difficult (progressive) as their mood and character changes.

This is the only complete Clementi cycle played on fortepiano.

Contents:
CD 1
Two Sonatas and Two Capriccios for the Piano Forte Op.34 dedicated to Miss Isabella Savery (Gray Bookseller – London)
- Sonata in C Op.34 No.1
- Sonata in G Op.34 No.2
- Capriccio Op.34 No.1 in A
Total Time: 65’27

CD 2
- Capriccio Op.34 No.2 in F
Six Progressive Sonatinas for the Piano Forte Op.36 (first edition – Longman and Broderip, London)
- Sonatina in C Op.36 No.1
- Sonatina in G Op.36 No.2
- Sonatina in C Op.36 No.3
- Sonatina in F Op.36 No.4
- Sonatina in G Op.36 No.5
- Sonatina in D Op.36 No.6
Total Time: 65’27

CD 3
Three Sonatas for the Piano Forte Op.37 dedicated to Miss Harriot Gompertz (Longman & Broderip, London)
- Sonata in C Op.37 No.1
- Sonata in G Op.37 No.2
- Sonata in D Op.37 No.3
Total Time: 65’27