Justice for a "Charlatan"

Imagine being such a remarkable prodigy that you were appointed a job post as an organist, at age 9!

No, I´m not talking about Mozart.

Have you ever heard about Muzio Clementi?

If you’ve ever played piano, you’ve most likely stumbled upon his works as a young student.

If you haven’t, chances are you’ve never heard his name.

But his place in history is not as recognized as it perhaps should be.

In a musical duel, he was tied with none other than Mozart.

Musical duels were common at the time since there was much rivalry between musicians. And these two were no exception.

Mozart went so far as to say that he was a “Charlatan, just like all Italians…” The means of entertainment were different back then…

Clementi´s most enduring and important input in music was related to the piano. He was also an instrument constructor and was involved in shaping the prototypes of what would be the concert pianos that we use nowadays, 200 years later.

He was in fact the father of modern piano technique, and highly influenced Beethoven in the further development of piano music.

That means, without Clementi there would most probably be no Beethoven, not in the way we know him.

I´ve included a couple of beautiful piano pieces by Clementi on my Piano Inspiration playlist which you can listen to here: My Piano Inspiration Playlist.

Have a great day!

Claudio.

Piano Inspiration