大象传媒

Muzio Clementi was one of the 18th and 19th century鈥檚 most revered musicians 鈥� a star performer, a composer admired by Czerny, Beethoven and Chopin and an astute musical businessman. However, he also had his detractors in his own time and history hasn鈥檛 been as kind to him as to the greater names of his time 鈥� Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Today his name is unfamiliar to most but it is certainly better known than the music he wrote. He was fortunate to have interactions with perhaps the world's three greatest composers, but this fortune may have also worked against him - putting him in direct competition with them. Over this week of programmes, Donald Macleod explores Clementi鈥檚 contact with the greatest composers of his day, reassessing the life and music of the man known as the 鈥渇ather of the piano鈥� in the light of these encounters.

In Friday鈥檚 programme, Donald explores Clementi's role as teacher and master to the pianist and composer John Field, the pair's travels together, and how a lost hat contributed to the deterioration of their friendship.

Adagio sostenuto in F major (Gradus ad Parnassum, Book I, No 14)
Vladimir Horowitz, piano

Sonata in B minor, Op 40 No 2 (II. Largo)
Dejan Lazic, piano

Symphony No 2 in D major (Finale)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Francesco D鈥橝valos, conductor

Symohony No 1 in C major (III. Minuet and Trio)
Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg
Ivor Bolton, conductor

Piano Sonata in G minor, Op 50 No 3 鈥淒idone abbandonata鈥�
Byron Schenkman, piano

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Wales