Examples in the Development of Clementi’s Four-Hand Piano Sonata

Abstract

"Muzio Clementi exploits the possibilities of duet texture more, individualizing the middle voices as a separate layer. However, it cannot compete with the refinement of the interweaving of voices in Mozart’s duets. The bass and middle voices often provide a supporting function for the melodic material concentrated in the primo part. Clementi’s four-hand sonatas are among the earliest significant works of four-hand piano in musical history. They reflect the composer’s individual and intense journey through the genre and the variety of his approaches. Keywords: Muzio Clementi, Sonata, piano four-hands, development"