"Mozart and Friends" ?? Wigmore lunchtime Clementi concert

[David-G]

Wonderful fortepiano recital at the Wigmore Hall Monday lunchtime. The instrument was the Paul McNulty reproduction of an 1805 Walter that we usually see at the Wigmore on such occasions, just the right date for the programme, which was Clementi-focussed:

Clementi: Musical Characteristics Op 19
Prelude alla Haydn in C

Haydn: Piano Sonata in C sharp minor HXVI:36

Clementi: Musical Characteristics Op 19
Prelude alla Mozart in A

Mozart: Fantasia in D minor K397

Clementi: Piano Sonata in G minor Op 34 No 2

The pianist was Alexander Melnikov, whose playing was delightful. Much subtle use of the sustaining knee-lever. The piano sounded lovely - it is so good to hear this music on a piano of the appropriate period. An intelligent programme - none of these pieces (except possibly the Mozart) are well known; the Clementi pieces in the styles of Haydn and Mozart tied the whole thing together.

The concert was of course broadcast live on R3. But why, why, on the web page for the concert:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000d83c

is the programme entitled "Mozart and Friends"?? Why "Mozart", since it was a Clementi-based programme? And why "Friends"? I hardly think Mozart and Clementi were friends.

[oddoneout]

Clickbait? Or, more likely, use of less than well informed person to write the blurb, as is increasingly the case it seems these days.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Clickbait? Or, more likely, use of less than well informed person to write the blurb, as is increasingly the case it seems these days.

Indeed - but, for once, the "blurb" itself (as opposed to the Headline) gets it right (" ... the Russian pianist focuses on the Italian-born, London-based pianist-composer Muzio Clementi, including his homages to two major contemporaries.") Bizarre!

[Master Jacques]

Indeed - but, for once, the "blurb" itself (as opposed to the Headline) gets it right (" ... the Russian pianist focuses on the Italian-born, London-based pianist-composer Muzio Clementi, including his homages to two major contemporaries.") Bizarre!

Aren't we being a little unfairly literal-minded here? How many people would have attended a recital entitled Clementi and Friends? Was there some Mozart in the programming, to provide the aesthetic context? Such canny titling - potentially revealing more about the music played - is surely to be welcomed, not criticised?

(A lovely piano music disc appeared from Paul Guinery a year or so back, entitled Delius and his Circle, featuring works by 10 composers. How many copies would have Early 20th Century British Piano Music have sold? Would the contextual sense have been as powerful?)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Aren't we being a little unfairly literal-minded here?

No.

How many people would have attended a recital entitled Clementi and Friends?

As many as would have attended any Fortepiano recital in the Wigmore Hall given by Alexander Melnikov.

[Sir Velo]

No.


As many as would have attended any Fortepiano recital in the Wigmore Hall given by Alexander Melnikov.

Not sure how you can know that FHG unless you personally interviewed all the audience!

[cloughie]

Wonderful fortepiano recital at the Wigmore Hall Monday lunchtime. The instrument was the Paul McNulty reproduction of an 1805 Walter that we usually see at the Wigmore on such occasions, just the right date for the programme, which was Clementi-focussed:

Clementi: Musical Characteristics Op 19
Prelude alla Haydn in C

Haydn: Piano Sonata in C sharp minor HXVI:36

Clementi: Musical Characteristics Op 19
Prelude alla Mozart in A

Mozart: Fantasia in D minor K397

Clementi: Piano Sonata in G minor Op 34 No 2

The pianist was Alexander Melnikov, whose playing was delightful. Much subtle use of the sustaining knee-lever. The piano sounded lovely - it is so good to hear this music on a piano of the appropriate period. An intelligent programme - none of these pieces (except possibly the Mozart) are well known; the Clementi pieces in the styles of Haydn and Mozart tied the whole thing together.

The concert was of course broadcast live on R3. But why, why, on the web page for the concert:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000d83c

is the programme entitled "Mozart and Friends"?? Why "Mozart", since it was a Clementi-based programme? And why "Friends"? I hardly think Mozart and Clementi were friends.

Maybe I am a simple soul who likes Mozart and maybe there is great music out there by his contemporaries, which I may get to know better from a concert billed as it has been- so really the title is a plus! As it happens I have recently purchased recordings by eighteenth century composers which I have very much enjoyed - no I would not have attended this concert as London is thankfully a long way away!

[Bryn]

. . . As many as would have attended any Fortepiano recital in the Wigmore Hall given by Alexander Melnikov.

. . . and how many would baulk at the very idea of Mozart (or Clementi) being played on a fortepiano?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Not sure how you can know that FHG unless you personally interviewed all the audience!

Doesn't that presume that MJ was rhetorically asking if exactly the same people would have attended "both" concerts?

Given the number of seats in the Wigmore Hall, and the usual/typical/regular clientele of these lunchtime concerts, I don't think that such "personal interviewing" would be necessary.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

. . . and how many would baulk at the very idea of Mozart (or Clementi) being played on a fortepiano?

Well, quite!

[Master Jacques]

As many as would have attended any Fortepiano recital in the Wigmore Hall given by Alexander Melnikov.

I'm glad you're not my publicity manager, ferneyhoughgeliebte!

[David-G]

. . . and how many would baulk at the very idea of Mozart (or Clementi) being played on a fortepiano?

I baulk at hearing Mozart or Clementi played on a Steinway!

Speaking seriously - fortepianos in general have a much sweeter tone; much more clarity, especially in the bass; differentiation between the registers. Altogether, a much more pleasant sound. (In my view, of course.)

[David-G]

Aren't we being a little unfairly literal-minded here? How many people would have attended a recital entitled Clementi and Friends? Was there some Mozart in the programming, to provide the aesthetic context? Such canny titling - potentially revealing more about the music played - is surely to be welcomed, not criticised?

(A lovely piano music disc appeared from Paul Guinery a year or so back, entitled Delius and his Circle, featuring works by 10 composers. How many copies would have Early 20th Century British Piano Music have sold? Would the contextual sense have been as powerful?)

"Mozart and Friends" was a BBC title. The Wigmore calendar advertised the following:

Alexander Melnikov fortepiano

Clementi, Haydn and Mozart

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"Mozart and Friends" was a BBC title. The Wigmore calendar advertised the following:

Alexander Melnikov fortepiano
Clementi, Haydn and Mozart

- and that was all that was necessary. Just not good enough for the infantile Beeb.

And the recital itself was splendid - well worth hearing again.

[Master Jacques]

- and that was all that was necessary. Just not good enough for the infantile Beeb.

Not sure how that changes the argument: when you're trying to lure in a target audience which thinks Clementi is bag of oranges you buy at Christmas, what's poor old Auntie to do? For once, she surely deserves to be let off the hook. I still don't want you for my publicity agent!!