This thesis follows on a number of studies all of which deal with selected schools of composition important in the development of the piano sonata. Muzio Clementi was one of the leading contemporaries of such great masters as Haydn. Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, all of whom contributed greatly to the repertoire of piano sonatas. During his lifetime his reputation equalled that of his contemporaries and many of his sonatas were greatly admired by the young Beethoven. Clementi was born in Rome but spent the largest part of his Ii in London where he established himself as a multi-faceted musician, being engaged in many different fields connected with music: composer, teacher, performer, publisher and manufacturer of pianos. His sonatas form the most important part of his total creative output. While the earli works still follow principles typical of the middle classical period, his later sonatas belong to a different era and foreshadow the coming of romanticism. This thesis is devoted to a detailed survey of the changes that affect the form of the various movements. It shows the gradual change from tile simple compositional methods of the early works to the inherent logical process that characterises the sonatas of the later years The first part of the thesis culminates in findings that prove Clementi IS individuality and show that his enquiring spirit makes him an innovator of the first rank. The second major part of the thesis deals with the stylistic changes that take place within the various periods of Clementiis creative life. It summarises the main ingredients of his early music, critically evaluates the importance of various pianistic devices that play a leading role in works of the middle periods and finally shows the successful blending of inherited and new techniques in the last sonatas. The concluding section details the major points of the preceding investigations and presents a picture of Clementi's personality as it emerges through the medium of his solo keyboard sonatas.

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Muzio Clementi's symphonies were first performed in London between 1786 and 1796. After an extended hiatus from 1796 to 1813, his symphonic works appeared on programs again from 1813 to 1824. Clementi's career as a symphonist corresponds closely with trends in London's concert life. The reception of Clementi's symphonies during his lifetime has frequently been misinterpreted by scholars who oversimplify the use of "science" in musical discourse of the day and fail to consider the positive connotations of this adjective, so frequently applied to Clementi. Musical discourse at the time addressed the science and art of music emphasizing a composition, or its composer's, science, harmony, effects, genius, and the audience's response. Though an unstated ideal, reviews evince a preference for balancing scientific and artistic display. Reviews of Clementi's symphonies suggest he initially struggled to balance the technical and artistic qualities of his compositions but succeeded, according to reviews, in finally doing so in 1796. After his early efforts, Clementi was consistently praised as worthy to stand among the current and most prestigious composers of the continent: Haydn and Mozart initially, and Beethoven and Rossini later.