Stefania Neonato

PIANOFORTE RECITAL BY STEFANIA NEONATO, RE-CREATING A MUSICAL CONFRONTATION THAT HISTORICALLY TOOK PLACE

“Mozart vs. Clementi” by Martin Bidney

Seventeen eighty-one, and we have been invited;
Emperor Joseph sent the word to come to court
To hear the men compete, a scintillating sport:
Each in his twenties, they're the best, and I'm excited.

B flat sonata and toccata well displayed
Clementi's finger tricks, the melodies in thirds
Done with a single hand. We have no written words
Confirming what the choices were that Mozart made:

We heard caprice, fugue, fantasy, then variations
Upon a theme of Paisiello, who's employed
By the Grand Duke in Russia; he, I know, enjoyed
The tribute, visiting Vienna. Conversations

Were lively. Mozart claimed he'd won. Clementi, though,
Felt he had been the victor. Glad I thought to go!

Binghamton, 15 marzo 2009
Binghamton, March 15, 2009