Mozart/Clementi competition

I have read in some places that Mozart and Clementi each played one of their piano pieces at a competition against each other in front of some ruler (maybe Joseph II?). Does anyone know what pieces they played? Serious answers only, please.

Regards,

Wouldn't be surpised if Clementi played his Sonata in Bb...Mozart's Magic Flute overture sounds awfully like it...

I believe they improvised, so you're probably out of luck.

I believe they did more than that. From the web:

In December of 1781, Clementi was officially invited to participate in a musical competition against the Austrian composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Both participants were asked to perform their own compositions, as well as to improvise. Among Clementi's repertoire were the Toccata, Op. 11, and the Sonata in B-Flat, Op. 24, Nr (later to be recorded by Stephen Storace as Op. 47, Nr. 2 in 1804). Though there was no decisive winner, Clementi later said of Mozart's technique: 'Until then, I have never heard of anyone play with such grace.' Ironically, however, Mozart was much less gracious, criticizing Clementi's style. (as well as making several other 'non-flattering' remarks)

Thank you Mr. Rinkel. I have played the Clementi B-flat. It's a nice piece. I wonder which set of variations Mozart played? Does anyone have any ideas based on the fact he played them in 1781?

Regards,

Hallo Henry,

The only piano-only variations he composed in 1781 is KV 352 (8 variations on 'Les Mariages samnites'

But maybe he played KV 400 (Allegro of a piano sonata), also from 1781?

I let you know as soon as my time machine is back from repair

Ciao

Clementi and Mozart both wrote a set of variations on the same theme. It's the last movement of Clementi's Sonata in Bb op. 12 and one of Mozart's sets of piano variations (can't think of which one off-hand). Perhaps these variations came about from the competition - but I'm not at all sure.

Hallo John,

Perhaps KV 265, on 'Ah, vous dirai-je, maman'? This theme seemed to be rather popular at its time. I know at least one other composition with variations on it (Theodor von Schacht, clarinet concerto in B flat).

Ciao

It's not 'Ah, vous dirai-je'. The theme they both wrote variations on goes like this (in solfege)

sol mi mi mi do re re re mi sol fa mi, do(up) ti re do ti re do sol fa mi mi re or in notes:

f d d d Bb c c c d f Eb d, Bb(up) a c Bb a c Bb f(down) Eb d d c

The tune has a name - I can't recall it.