Randall Love performs Muzio Clementi's Capriccio in A Major, Op. 34, No. 3

Randall Love is a member of the Duke University music faculty where he teaches piano and fortepiano. The piano used for this performance is a Muzio Clementi Grand Piano (c.1805). It is part of the Duke University Musical Instrument Collections housed in the Mary Duke Biddle Music Building on the Duke University campus.

[@back2backband1]

Wow awesome! The sound of that forte is incredible and wonderful playing

[@back2backband1]

Can you imagine the scene? It is Christmas Eve in 1781 at the Royal Viennese Court, and everyone, including the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, is waiting for the piano duel to commence. Sitting at one piano is a well established Italian composer, Muzio Clementi, and at the other is the most anticipated prodigy of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph IIBoth Clementi and Mozart contributed to the musical evolution of the piano. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, the ruler of Austria and Hungary at the time, recognized their talents and decided to set up a duel between the two. He did not inform Clementi nor Mozart about the duel. The Emperor invited the Grand Duke Paul of Russia and his wife, and other royal leaders to witness the spectacle. The two composers realized the Emperors plans when people started pouring in the court-hall. The Emperor told Clementi to start the duel. Clementi did not disappoint. He performed a prelude and then a Sonata, performing one of his signature themes of using double third scales and finishing with a bit of improvisation. Muzio ClementiClementi was known to have an impeccable technical style. He studied in England and was a highly successful pianist, composer, teacher, and publisher. He was on a European tour when he participated in the duel.Mozart was not perturbed by Clementi’s skills. He responded with a beautiful and thought filled piece equipped with classic runs and improvisations. Mozart did not try to play quicker or with exaggerated technique, instead he invoked feelings through his music. Interestingly, he played a melody familiar to modern ears, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Of course, it must have been a WAY better version; it was Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThe two composers battled on. They were handed sonatas by Giovanni Paisiello and asked to add improvisations. Mozart played the allegro and Clementi played the andante and rondo. Finally, after all of the solo pieces and sight readings, the Emperor decided that the duel would end in a tie. Afterwards, Clementi praised Mozart. He wrote, “I had never before heard anyone play with such spirit and grace.”

[@classicgameplay10]

Mozart beat clementis ass all the way to italy though.

[@bluedragon7925]

Clementi proved the better human being because he had the grace to praise Mozart afterwards!

[@bluedragon7925]

Refreshing to hear, for a change, 'other' composers of the 'classical' period. Played so beautifully and musically on an instrument with such a beautiful, natural and varied tone, also a refreshing change from today's bangworthy monstrosities!

[@john.415]

Lovely playing and an intriguing piece! You can hear a lot of Beethoven in this work. It's interesting to ponder who had more influence on who! Thanks, again!

[@maominamikumamnchannel1228]

昔のピアノは、ツエンバロのような音がしてまた、すごく味がありますねー。

[@bifeldman]

Fun to hear this piece on this piano.

[@innocenzobarrera1505]

Molto, ma molto bello !

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Wonderfully played! One does not hear an English fortepiano that often.

[@jgutiermusica]

Clearly, Beethoven was very influenced in his youth by Clementi. Possibly Beethoven would not be the same without Clementi's existence. Subsequently, Beethoven influenced Clementi as well.

[@back2backband1]

True..... Beethoven admired Clementi's teaching methods and loved his style. Beethoven also admired Mozart like no other ...… When Beethoven was young he would by all of Mozart's published works to study them all of his operas, Piano sonatas, Concertos, Symphonies and chamber music. Beethoven made sure his nephew was taught with using teching methods ….. Clementi sonatina's at first then his sonatas. Mozart and Clementi had a piano duel in 1781 Christmas eve it was a tie. Mozart also borrowed a Clementi intro (sonata in b flat) which ten years later Mozart used for the opening of the magic flute. one more thing in 1789 Beethoven and his pupil Cramer were watching a performance of Mozart's piano concerto in c minor and Beethoven said to Cramer "Cramer we will never be able to write something like that" Beethoven loved Mozart's piano concerto 20 in d minor 23 in a and 24 c minor . Beethoven borrowed about so much themes from Mozart. that's what they all did back then to pay tribute

[@back2backband1]

Can you imagine the scene? It is Christmas Eve in 1781 at the Royal Viennese Court, and everyone, including the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, is waiting for the piano duel to commence. Sitting at one piano is a well established Italian composer, Muzio Clementi, and at the other is the most anticipated prodigy of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph IIBoth Clementi and Mozart contributed to the musical evolution of the piano. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, the ruler of Austria and Hungary at the time, recognized their talents and decided to set up a duel between the two. He did not inform Clementi nor Mozart about the duel. The Emperor invited the Grand Duke Paul of Russia and his wife, and other royal leaders to witness the spectacle. The two composers realized the Emperors plans when people started pouring in the court-hall. The Emperor told Clementi to start the duel. Clementi did not disappoint. He performed a prelude and then a Sonata, performing one of his signature themes of using double third scales and finishing with a bit of improvisation. Muzio ClementiClementi was known to have an impeccable technical style. He studied in England and was a highly successful pianist, composer, teacher, and publisher. He was on a European tour when he participated in the duel.Mozart was not perturbed by Clementi’s skills. He responded with a beautiful and thought filled piece equipped with classic runs and improvisations. Mozart did not try to play quicker or with exaggerated technique, instead he invoked feelings through his music. Interestingly, he played a melody familiar to modern ears, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Of course, it must have been a WAY better version; it was Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThe two composers battled on. They were handed sonatas by Giovanni Paisiello and asked to add improvisations. Mozart played the allegro and Clementi played the andante and rondo. Finally, after all of the solo pieces and sight readings, the Emperor decided that the duel would end in a tie. Afterwards, Clementi praised Mozart. He wrote, “I had never before heard anyone play with such spirit and grace.”Read more Show less

[@spartacuszx]

Why does everyone who plays fortepiano always go for Viennese instruments when Beethoven preferred Broadwoods in the English tradition?

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Because, for one thing, they tend to be more mature instruments, as a class-although this particular one sounds gorgeous. They both merit revival.

[@jgutiermusica]

Bueno, en este caso se trata de un Clementi & Co. de 1805, uno de los mejores pianos ingleses de la época.

[@FanestoDellOtre]

I might be upstream, but year after year I prefer Clementi to Mozart...

[@VANComedians]

That is insulting to Mozart. He would admire his style but it doesn't sustain depth in quality as Mozart's does constantly. Even Mozart must compromise the fact with Clementi, that styles for Classicism Romance can't become substancial to good if not sustained for quality instead of being from showing one place & then disappear just to show some kind of flow. Mozart attracts to his style but becomes very quickly bored for not showing sustainability for that specific impression. For this reason Mozart in his mind calls him a fraudulent impression for sustainability. Only impressive tricks, but no lasting action for those tricks. That's all.

[@derby2510]

You must only listen to solo piano music. Clementi is interesting because he introduced new ways of using technique, but he was a speck of dust compared to Mozart. Listen to more music that isn't piano music.

[@FanestoDellOtre]

@@derby2510 lol

[@ivanbelskyh]

Piano?

[@andreagriseri7656]

Awesome sound. Musically not the best composition by Clementi even of we find good idead . Much virtuosity