Muzio Clementi

Muzio Clementi was an Italian-British composer, virtuoso pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, editor, and piano manufacturer, mostly active in England. Sponsored by Sir Peter Beckford as a young composer, he advanced his studies in England and later toured Europe. Competing with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1781, Clementi was influenced by Domenico Scarlatti and Haydn's classical school. His technical legato style influenced pianists including Beethoven and Chopin. Additionally, Clementi promoted his own pianos and published many compositions, which kept his contemporaries' work within the repertoire. Although his repute was overshadowed by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Rossini, his influence persists.