Naxos has released a lot of Clementi piano sonatas, with a variety of performers. This latest release features Soyeon Kate Lee, who delivers some delightful performances. Clementi’s music pushed the limits of the then-developing fortepiano. But on a modern instrument, they can sound a little constrained and reserved. Lee has a feathery touch that makes […]
Muzio Clementi
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#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalEleven Week 3
Numbers have meaning. But meaning can depend on context. The Classics a Day team made “eleven” the theme for November, the eleventh month. The challenge is to post performances of classical music that involve the number. I chose a mix. Some pieces involve eleven players. Some are the eleventh type of piece by a composer. […]
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#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalSchool Week 1
Traditionally, September is the back-to-school month. The Classics a Day team decided to mark the occasion. Classical School is the theme for September 2019. To participate, just post a piece of classical music that’s somehow related to education with the appropriate hashtags. What would count? Any classical work about school, or using themes from schools; […]
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Early Muzio Clementi keyboard sonatas have their appeal
This release is part of Naxos’ leisurely traversal through Muzio Clementi’s keyboard sonatas. This installment features sonatas from the early part of his career. The Op. 2 sonatas were published in 1779, the Op. 1784. This was the time when Antonio Salieri was still a major composer. Mozart was up to 15 piano concertos; Haydn […]
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Clementi Sonatas Span Career
This release presents a snapshot of Clementi’s development as a composer — and the development of his chosen instrument. Sandro De Palma performs at a modern keyboard. but he carefully matches his playing to the works. De Palma gives Clementi’s 1771 Op. 1 Sonata in a delicate, mannered reading. It’s easy to hear a close […]
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Clementi Piano Sonatas, Op. 25, 33 & 49 – more than mechanical
Mozart wrote, “Clementi is a good clavicembalist and with this, there is no more to say. He plays well with his right hand, his strong point is the passages in thirds. For the rest he has no sentiment or taste, – in a word he is simply a mechanicus.” I’m not sure I entirely agree […]
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Clementi Sonatas Show Classic Elegance
I love Naxos’ passion for completeness. It matches my own compulsion. I have no doubt that they will eventually have every piano work by Muzio Clementi available. And probably all of his orchestral works, concertos, and other pieces besides. This release features works from three points in Clementi’s career. The Op. 23 sonatas were published […]
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Clementi Monferrinas delightful piano miniatures
A monferrina is an uptempo Italian folk dance in 6/8 time. Two collections of them are featured in this collection of Clementi piano music. Clementi’s monferrinas are lively little diversions, each less than two minutes long. Nevertheless, within the confines of the form, Clementi manages a great deal of variety. That’s good since this album […]
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Clementi Concerto and Symphonies Entertain
Piano virtuoso Muzio Clementi once engaged in a contest with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to determine who was the better pianist. According to the crowd, when it came to pianistic talent, it was a tie. When it comes to compositions, though, history judged Mozart the winner. But Clementi runs a very close second. This is the […]