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Italian composer, virtuoso pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, and piano manufacturer. Revered as the 'Father of the Piano' for his foundational contributions to piano technique and composition.Born in Rome, Clementi displayed prodigious musical talent by age 7.At 14, he was brought to England by wealthy patron Peter Beckford for intensive musical training.Gained fame as a performer, notably competing against Mozart in a 1781 keyboard duel before Emperor Joseph II.Founded Clementi & Co., a leading piano manufacturing and music publishing firm.Authored the influential pedagogical work 'Gradus ad Parnassum' (1817–1826).Trained renowned pupils including John Field and Friedrich Kalkbrenner.

• Clementi's 1781 contest with Mozart in Vienna ended in a draw, but Mozart later disparaged him in letters as a 'mechanicus' lacking taste, fueling lifelong rivalry.
• His business acumen led to financial success: Clementi & Co. manufactured pianos used by Beethoven and Chopin while publishing works by Beethoven, Haydn, and Dussek.
• Survived two turbulent marriages – his first wife fled with their children in 1804; his second marriage ended in scandalous divorce proceedings in 1810.
• Died at 80 in Evesham, England, after decades of shaping musical culture; buried at Westminster Abbey with epitaph 'Father of the Pianoforte'.