Clementi: The Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 3

Howard Shelley’s series of Clementi’s piano sonatas is receiving great critical acclaim and is increasing popular interest in this under-recorded composer. The sonatas in the present volume date from the period just after Clementi’s adventures in Europe of 1780–83 that included an unfortunate and well-known confrontation with Mozart, and a protracted stay in Lyons. Clementi moved back to London and there had a considerable reputation as a performer, composer and teacher. His playing was praised, among other things, for its ‘novel freedoms in tempo and dynamics in the service of heightened expression’ and those qualities are noticeable in the works recorded here.

CDA67729  121 minutes 7 seconds (2 discs)
GRAMOPHONE RECOMMENDS
‘The third volume of Howard Shelley's invaluable survey of Clementi piano sonatas confirms every expectation. Once more you are left to marvel at his unfailing brilliance and musicianship, qualities t ...
‘Shelley's third volume makes abundantly clear that Clementi at best was an outstanding composer … he tempers the virtuoso finger-dexterity of the 'mechanicus' with sensitive expressiveness, incl ...
‘There are several gems in this collection, especially the Sonata in F minor Op 13 … the other sonatas here are also works of real quality and certainly worthy of comparison with the galant keybo ...