Muzio, the composer and pianist, was born at Rome in 1752, and died at London on 10th March 1832. After studying music under various masters at Rome, he was taken to England, when 14 years old, by Mr Peter Beckford, who was so charmed with the boy's skill as a harpsichord-player that he promised to establish him in this country. Under Mr Beckford's roof, in Dorsetshire, Clementi studied music so assiduously that when eighteen years old he had become not only the greatest harpsichord-player of his time, but had published his second work, which originated the new style of sonatas for that instrument. C. P. E. Bach had already opened the new path which Clementi improved and extended. Clementi then went to London, where his constant intercourse with the best Italian singers improved his taste. In 1780 he visited Paris, and next year Vienna, where he became intimately acquainted with Haydn and Mozart. He returned to London in 1783, and revisited France in 1784. Returning to London in 1785, he devoted himself to teaching until 1800, when he entered into a partnership for pianoforte-making and music-selling. In 1803 he went to St Petersburg with his remarkable English pupil John Field. He afterwards travelled in Italy, whence he returned to England in 1810. He was twice married. His works are numerous, and all excellent of their kind. He composed 106 sonatas for the harpsichord and for the pianoforte; a number of other pieces for the pianoforte; a large work, "Gradus ad Parnassum," or the art of pianoforte-playing; several symphonies and overtures; arrangements of Haydn's "Creation" and "Seasons," &c.; and edited three volumes of a selection of practical harmony for the organ or pianoforte. Clementi's style of composition is elegant and brilliant, but generally dry and unimpassioned. He stood at the head of the best school of pianists, understanding perfectly the true nature and powers Clementine of his instrument, and taught many eminent pupils, among whom were J. B. Cramer and John Field.