Mozart and Clementi: A Pianistic Duel, Part 2

The latest stories from www.wqxr.org · Oct 11, 2026 · 58m

David Dubal continues the tale of Mozart and Clementi's famous duel and plays music from the legendary piano competition.

When we last left our two heroes, they had just encountered each other at the Austrian Court of Emperor Joseph II in 1781. Mozart was 25 and Clementi was 29. The Emperor had invited Clementi to play at court and it was there that the two composers finally met.

Both musicians were dressed elegantly, though Mozart was rather bejeweled and carried a sword. The Emperor gave Clementi an Italian song to improvise on and Clementi executed it impressively. Meanwhile, the emperor…