Mozart’s celebrated musical duel with Muzio Clementi took place in Vienna on Christmas Eve, 1781, at the behest of Emperor Joseph II. Both composers performed before the court, demonstrating their virtuosity and compositional prowess. While Mozart disparaged Clementi's playing, citing his "mechanical" style, it is evident from Clementi’s works that his influence extended deeply into keyboard technique and compositional development. This rivalry remains a fascinating episode in music history, showcasing two vastly different approaches to the piano.
Clementi’s Sonata in B-flat Major is one of his masterpieces, known for its structural clarity and charm. However, no written cadenza for the sonata has ever been discovered, leaving pianists to interpret or improvise this section. Curiously, Clementi explicitly indicated the need for a cadenza by marking the word “cadenza” in the score—a rare glimpse into his expectations for performers. To fill this gap, I have composed a cadenza that respects the stylistic nuances of Clementi’s era while adding a modern interpretative flair. This cadenza pays homage to Clementi’s virtuosic brilliance, providing an opportunity for the performer to shine while seamlessly blending with the sonata's character, bringing a fresh perspective to this enduring work.
