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Florence Wilshire: Florence Wilshire: Muzio Clementi and his Era

 Collection
Call Number: Misc. Ms. 174

Scope and Contents

This collection contains various drafts and typescripts of Florence Wilshire's unpublished biography of Muzio Clementi, titled Muzio Clementi and his Era. The collection also holds research notes, correspondence, copies of original documents, iconography, and miscellaneous memorabilia.

Dates

  • 20th century

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials chiefly in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment. There are no restricted materials in the collection. Please contact the Special Collections staff to schedule an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is the physical property of the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library of Yale University. Copyrights belong to the composers and authors, or their legal heirs and assigns.

Arrangement

In 14 series as follows: I. Wilshire correspondence. II. Wilshire research notes and memoirs. III. Miscellaneous critical essays on Clementi. IV. Programs. V. John Field. VI. Clementi iconography. VII. Clementi correspondence and translations. VIII. Clementi work-lists. IX. Clementi and Gisborne Family Records. X. Clementi chronological outline. XI. Music. XII. Muzio Clementi and his Era. XIII. Clementi miscellaneous documents. XIV. Clippings and program notes.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/music.misc.0174

Overview

Florence Wilshire's unpublished biography of Muzio Clementi, with related materials

Biographical / Historical

Muzio Clementi was one of the most talented, influential, and versatile musicians of his era. Born in Rome on June 23, 1752, Clementi began his musical career as a church organist there when he was only thirteen, but he spent most of his adolescence in the service of Peter Beckford, an Englishman who heard him play in Rome. In 1774 Clementi left Beckford's country house and settled in London, where he quickly established himself as a leading harpsichordist, pianist, and composer. He lived in England for most of his life, although he made several notable concert tours of the European continent. (The first of these tours, in 1780, featured a celebrated piano-playing contest between Clementi and Mozart, before an audience that included the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II as well as the future Tsar Paul of Russia.) Clementi's work as a composer, performer, and teacher brought him a substantial income, and he invested much of it in business; he became a very successful music publisher and piano manufacturer. Clementi died in Evesham, England on March 10, 1832, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Florence Wilshire, Clementi's great-granddaughter, did extensive research on the life of her famous ancestor, but her biography was never published.
Title
Florence Wilshire: Muzio Clementi and His Era
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Compiled by Susan Landskröner
Date
1996-2007
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Music Library Descriptive Practices
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Gilmore Music Library Repository

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