Clementi, though best known for his piano sonatinas, also composed a great many piano sonatas, symphonies, concerti, and etudes. Lamentably, many of these have been lost over the years, and are not properly or suffiently exposed to the public.
Clementi was born in Rome in 1752. His father, a silversmith, was an avid musician, and encouraged Muzio to develop his inherent musical aptitude. In fact, early in his lifetime, Muzio showed himself to be a Mozartean prodigy--by the age of 9, he was a salaried church organist, as well as a meritorious composer, to the point where he gained the attention of the influential English businessman, Peter Beckford. Beckford, impressed with Muzio's talent, adopted him and brought him to his estate in Wiltshire, England. Here, Muzio persued his studies in music, as well as other subjects, and formed a reputation as one of England's premier pianists and composers.
In December of 1781, Clementi was officially invited to participate in a musical competition against the Austrian composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Both participants were asked to perform their own compositions, as well as to improvise. Among Clementi's repertoire were the Toccata, Op. 11, and the Sonata in B-Flat, Op. 24, Nr (later to be recorded by Stephen Storace as Op. 47, Nr. 2 in 1804). Though there was no decisive winner, Clementi later said of Mozart's technique: "Until then, I have never heard of anyone play with such grace." Ironically, however, Mozart was much less gracious, criticizing Clementi's style. (as well as making several other "non-flattering" remarks)
Clementi's popularity in England somewhat waned upon Haydn's visits there in 1794 and 1795. However, he had taken an interest in a new field: that of piano manufacture and business. Over the next few decades, this had become so lucrative that his status reached the equivalent of that of a millionaire. Nevertheless, Muzio remained self-sufficient, seldom relying on house servants or other luxuries. During this time period, he concentrated also on showcasing the talents of his most famous pupil, John Field (who wrote the first nocturnes), and composing, specifically for large orchestras (as the four late symphonies show).
Clementi died in 1832. A wealthy man, he received the honor of burial in Westminster Abbey. In addition, he left us a great legacy in his etudes (the most famous of which are Gradus ad Parnassum), sonatas, and sonatinas (particularly Op. 36).
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