At age 14, Clementi was 'purchased' from his family by Peter Beckford, a member of the British Parliament, who took him to England for seven years of solitary study.
Composition History
Clementi's monumental three-volume work, Gradus ad Parnassum, Op. 44, completed in 1826, showcases a treasury of compositional and pianistic techniques from his entire career.
Notable Performances
Emperor Joseph II of Austria arranged a legendary musical competition in 1781 between Clementi and Mozart, testing their improvisational skill, virtuosic prowess, and compositional mastery.
Composer Biography
Muzio Clementi, an Italian-English piano virtuoso, had a professional career spanning over fifty years as a composer, performer, teacher, music publisher, and piano manufacturer.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Despite Mozart's disdain, Clementi discovered a 'Viennese elegance' through their encounter, which valued musical substance and melodic grace, influencing his later works.
Performer Biography
Alessandro Marangoni, the pianist on this recording, is recording the complete piano works by Rossini and Clementi's Gradus ad Parnassum for Naxos.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The title Gradus ad Parnassum, meaning 'steps to Parnassus,' refers to the mountain sacred to Apollo and the Muses, symbolizing the ascent to the highest level of musical and technical perfection.
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Clementi: Gradus ad Parnassum, Vol. 2 (Nos. 25-41)
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Eschmann: Trifolium, Op. 64
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Schumann: 8 Novelletten, Op. 21
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