This album features the world premiere recordings of Muzio Clementi's piano duets on historical instruments.
Historical Context
Four-handed piano performances became fashionable in London after Wolfgang and Nannerl Mozart performed their Sonata k 19d in 1765.
Compositional Technique
In the Duettino wo 25, Clementi included a "Polish dance" with a note on the autograph score instructing eight booted horsemen to sound their spurs, which is realized on this recording using a "Turkish Band" pedal on a Jakesch piano.
Composition History
Muzio Clementi, a composer, showed significant interest in keyboard duos early in his career, publishing several compositions in this genre up to 1786.
Album & Artwork
The album cover features the painting "Market at Covent Garden" from 1726 by Pieter Angillis.
Interpretation
The performers chose to use different historical instruments for Clementi's piano duos to highlight the evolution of his style and the rapid progress of the piano.
Instruments
Muzio Clementi, the composer, became the owner of a piano manufacturing firm, Clementi & Company, and was involved in designing the pianos produced by his company.
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