Clementi Sonatina in C Major - Opus 36 no. 3

[rosesarered0549]

I am fairly new to this forum and am just getting back into piano as an adult after a long absence.  I am starting back at an intermediate level and working on rebuilding skills and learning skills that I never learned at all when I was taking lessons many years ago.  I find it helps me to build visual images when I practice and play so that I can bring more feeling and emotion into my pieces.  I have trouble coming up with a visual image for the Clementi Sonatina in C Major- opus 36 No 3 that I connect with strongly.  I hope this isn't a stupid question but I am curious what images other may use when they work on this piece.  Thank you for any ideas.

[kriatina]

...I would like to know a few examples of your visual pictures of some other pieces
   to understand your question better.
...Are you interested to visualize certain pictures of feelings in Clementi's Sonatina in C Major
    op. 36 No.3 ?
... Or are you interested to know what Clementi tried to express with this Sonatina?
... Or are you interested to know Clementi's circumstances whilst composing this Sonatina?

[hfmadopter]

For some reason I see carnival rides with that one and more so it's a slanted vignetted vision of a merry go round. I have not practiced Clementi sonatinas in a long time but I just popped up a you tube version and that's what I got.

I too sometimes, many times, well most of the time really, form visions while playing or practicing.

[kriatina]

Hello,
I associate Clementi’s compositions with his “happy go lucky” life
and I also associate Clementi’s compositions with his readiness
 to embark on all sorts of adventures throughout his life...
... For example, he had received a special permission from Napoleon to travel
wherever he wanted to travel in order to  promote his square pianos... or to give concerts ...
... At a time when most people made a dash to avoid any contact with Napoleons army,
 Clementi travelled unharmed to Russia with this special permission from Napoleon...
... Clementi also spoke five languages, was a very refined diplomat and an astute businessman
 and – for example - he received Beethoven’s permission (Beethoven admired Clementi)
to publish Beethoven’s work in England.
...Clementi played the piano every day and was seen to go every morning
for a brisk walk in his garden to keep fit...

... When he was a young man, he eloped with his great love...
... but Clementi and his girlfriend were eventually found by her father who followed them,
and, being a very rich merchant/businessman from France, he would not give permission
 for his daughter to marry a “mere musician”.
After locating them, the father made sure that Clementi never saw her again
and she had to return to Lyon with her father ...
As a result, Clementi became at first very depressed and  then,
perhaps as a result of this experience he went into business to produce pianos
and publish scores of piano music.
 Clementi specialized in the tonality of his pianos and they became a great success.
He was buried in Westminster Abbey and his funeral was almost a state funeral...

... I associate Clementi's music with his life ...

...Unfortunately his music is sometimes played a bit fast and I think,
his compositions do not like haste.
Since he specialized in tonality, I believe his compositions want to be enjoyed
in their tonality and do not want to be played so fast...

... That is my opinion

Good luck from Kristina

[rosesarered0549]

Thank you so much for all of your input.  This will help me very much and the history on Clementi and his life is fascinating.  I will try some of these examples when I play.  I find that focusing on people and experiences helps me feel the music.  For example:  when I play Bergmuller (The Storm)  I can feel the rise and fall of water and the waves crashing into the boat on a crossing I did from Inishmoor in Ireland on a very thundery, stormy afternoon and the cold that remains in the air as the storm subsides.  The merry go round image is wonderful and knowing a bit more about his life gives me a few more ideas to play with.  Thank you.