Muzio Clementi, born in Rome in 1752, was a contemporary of Mozart and was often compared to him. After a famous piano duel with Mozart in Vienna in 1781, during which Mozart was less than flattering in his assessment of Clementi's playing, the Italian pianist suffered a blow to his reputation. It wasn't until the 20th century that a slow rediscovery of Clementi's work began, spurred primarily by Horowitz's recording of Clementi sonatas in 1955.
The sonatas included in this volume were composed after Clementi's travels through Europe between 1780 and 1783. Following a falling out in Lyon, he returned to London, where he was celebrated as an outstanding pianist. His technical brilliance and expressiveness particularly impressed audiences.
The fourth sonata in B-flat major from Op. 13 takes up a popular theme by Haydn, which appears in ever-new variations, creating a sense of musical unity. In the fifth sonata in F minor, a recurring descending motif is found, which artfully transitions to distant keys.
A highlight is the F minor sonata from Op. 13, whose somber atmosphere pervades the entire piece. This is followed by a sonorous Presto reminiscent of Beethoven. Clementi's works were particularly popular in England and also influenced the young Beethoven in Bonn.
The piano sonatas of this mid-London period were aimed at a steadily growing number of piano enthusiasts. Virtuosic effects of earlier works were set aside in favor of more accessible, appealing pieces for a wider audience.
At that time, Clementi had to reconcile his own artistic vision with the expectations of his audience. The sonatas of this period demonstrate his ability to skillfully combine both, which earned him considerable acclaim.