Muzio Clementi
Born in 1752
Died in 1832

Clementi lived during the same period as Mozart and was one of the finest pianists of the time. He not only played the piano; he also owned a company that made early pianos. He travelled around Europe and encourage interest in this great new instrument.

In his earlier years Clementi played the harpsichord. He switched entirely to the piano soon after coming to London in 1773.  He was the first pianist to fully use the abilities of the new instrument: he played with bold, big sound, and used a wide dynamic range.

Listen to some of Clementi's music:

Sonata Op. 36, No. 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdPfNhyaYGQ&feature=related

Sonatina Op. 36, No.1, first movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_yb9pSj8vQ&feature=related

Gradus Ad Parnassum, Study No. 80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdph8EVFcXs&feature=related

Listen to Horowitz play Sonata Op. 24 in B flat major by Clementi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAlUpCzrcwE&feature=related

For more information on Clementi:
http://www.clementisociety.com/
http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Muzio_Clementi

Instrument of the Month: Flute
   The flute is a member of the woodwind family. Other woodwind instruments include the oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. Do you know what makes the flute different from most other woodwind instruments?
                        Answer

   Although most flutes you see look like the one in the picture on the right, they are made in a variety of different sizes from the tiny piccolo to giant flutes that are taller than a person. The bigger the flute the lower its sound. Check out the flute family in this picture.

To hear what the flute sounds like check out these links:

Greg Pattillo beatboxes Bach: Greg Pattillo is a talented young flutist who makes amazing sounds on the flute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbgyZ76wR2s

Greg Pattillo on a Bass Flute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVj9U7mYU8A&feature=fvsr

Pattillo and his trio doing a concert of Peter and the Wolf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeXokjxF2og&feature=channel

Baroque flute: Hear what an early flute sounded like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M4OfKuXsVI

Irish Flute - more than 1 key, but less than we have today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_BANg7Of8

Piccolo - Emily Moore plays Henry Mancini's Pennywhistle Jig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWKoBeh5Uvw

Other Features
Also in this issue: masterclasses, ledger lines, posture, composing, practice tips and more