Lichfield and spent his final years in Evesham. He died on 10 March 1832 and is buried
in Westminster Abbey.
Clementi is best known for his piano studies ‘Gradus ad Parnassum’ to which Debussy’s
‘Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, the first piece of his suite ‘Children’s Corner’, makes
playful allusion. Clementi wrote almost a hundred piano sonatas. After the success of
his Sonatas opus 36, some of the earlier ones were re-issued as sonatinas and are used to
this day as teaching pieces. Mozart wrote in a letter to his sister that he would prefer her
not to play Clementi’s sonatas owing to their jumped runs and wide stretches and chords
which he thought might cause her injury. Beethoven, on the other hand, greatly admired
Clementi’s sonatas and they influenced his own piano compositions.
Clementi also wrote a great deal of other music including a number of slightly unfinished
symphonies. These have been finished, performed and recorded. Clementi’s music is
hardly ever performed in concerts but is becoming increasingly popular in recordings.
Mozart’s disrespect for Clementi has led some to call them arch rivals but the animosity
was not, as far as we know, reciprocated by Clementi. Mozart’s letters are full of
irreverent jibes which he never expected to become public.
Russian American pianist Vladimir Horowitz became interested in Clementi’s sonatas
after his wife Wanda Toscanini bought him Clementi’s complete works. Horowitz
greatly admired Clementi’s sonatas, even comparing some of them to the best works of
Beethoven. He made some very fine recordings of several of them.
While Mozart and Beethoven will always cast a shadow over him, Clementi is an
important figure in musical history and in the development of the sonata form. His works
are becoming increasingly popular.
COMPETITIONS
Sydney International piano Competition
The Sydney International Piano Competition has been held every four years since 1977
and is Australia’s most prestigious competition for pianists. Thirty-six pianists are
selected from around the world to compete and are provided with air fares and
accommodation. The first prize winner receives a cash prize and engagements.
SIPCO is internationally recognised as one of the best piano competitions in the world.
All solo and concerted piano works are played from memory. There is a chamber music
section. Finalists perform a piano concerto by Mozart and one other composer at the
Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.
Young Performers Award
The ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Award is an annual competition which
encourages the talent and ambitions of Australia’s young musicians. Originally called