A celebrated pianist and composer whose studies and sonatas did much to develop the techniques of the modern pianoforte, Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) was, during his Italian boyhood, an uncommonly precocious musician. He won an organist's position when he was only 9 and at 12 had an oratorio performed in Rome. Two years later, an admirer brought him to England to study, and at 25 he became the conductor of the Italian Opera in London. Thereafter, Clementi divided his time among conducting, concert touring, teaching, composing, and pursuing businesses in music publishing and pianoforte manufacturing.
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