PAKM006:
Piano Sonata in B minor, Op 40 No 2 - Clementi
MP3
price
Artur
Balsam, piano
Originally released in 1954, issued as Nixa LP CLP1311
(Duration 17'26")
Play
sample movement:
The
career of Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) spans some of the most
significant developments in western classical music. He is perhaps unique
in being both a inspiration, particularly in the field of the piano sonata,
to both Beethoven and Haydn, and also to live and compose long enough
to be influenced by them both. A virtuoso pianist, he was famously involved
in a playing contest against Mozart for the Emperor Franz Joseph II in
1782 - Mozart later castigated Clementi for his lack of "of taste
or feeling - in short he is a mere mechanicus", whilst Clementi
was far more generous to his rival: "Until then I had never heard
anyone play with such spirit and grace. I was particularly overwhelmed
by an adagio and by several of his extempore variations for which the
Emperor had chosen the theme, and which we were to devise alternately."
The Emperor called it a draw - and Mozart went on to use the main theme
of a Clementi piano sonata for the overture to Die Zauberflaute.
Meanwhile
Clementi, largely based in London, prospered both as a musician and composer,
as well as a music publisher and manufacturer of pianos. He was also reputedly
the most expensive piano teacher in the city, supposedly charging a guinea
per lesson. Indeed the only times his star waned was during the visits
to England of Haydn, whose international fame and reputation overshadowed
that of Clementi. The effect was short-lived - Clementi soon recovered
his position on the departure of Haydn. It seems too that Clementi, whilst
perhaps a little envious of Haydn, was genial in his welcome, and the
two men spent time together at Clementi's country house in Evesham, Worcestershire.
Of
his numerous piano sonatas, the B minor, second of three published as
his Opus 40 in 1802, is in every way amongst those categorised by one
critic as "worthy to be ranked side by side with those of Mozart...
full of charm, pleasing melodic phrases, graceful ornamental passages,
elegant and clear in form, and often rich in harmonic and contrapuntal
treatment."
Artur
Balsam (left, 1906-1994), born in Warsaw, Poland, was considered
one of the world’s most important and influential pianists. With
more than 250 recordings of piano and chamber music works, Balsam worked
with many of the world’s internationally renowned solo instrumentalists
including violinists Joseph Fuchs and Oscar Shumsky, Nathan Milstein,
and cellist Zara Nelsova. As soloist, he appeared with the Royal Philharmonic,
the London Symphony, the Philharmonia of London, Milan, and Warsaw, as
well as the radio orchestras of Berlin, London, and Zurich.
Balsam
students include Edmund Battersby, Murray Perahia, and Emanuel Ax. He
was also instrumental in the re-emergence of the Kneisel Hall music center
in Blue Hill, Maine, as one of the most important summer retreats for
the study and performance of chamber music.
Artur
Balsam (left, 1906-1994), born in Warsaw, Poland, was considered
one of the world’s most important and influential pianists. With
more than 250 recordings of piano and chamber music works, Balsam worked
with many of the world’s internationally renowned solo instrumentalists
including violinists Joseph Fuchs and Oscar Shumsky, Nathan Milstein,
and cellist Zara Nelsova. As soloist, he appeared with the Royal Philharmonic,
the London Symphony, the Philharmonia of London, Milan, and Warsaw, as
well as the radio orchestras of Berlin, London, and Zurich. 
