I am in the process of re-recording my set of Clementine's sonatinas mostly because the sound quality on my first version is pretty weird and my playing on some of the particular pieces is not that good, either. I won't bore everybody by posting all of my redo's, but this one is my favorite sonatina of the set and thought it couldn't hurt to put it here. I used no pedal at all and only touched the soft pedal briefly one time.

Clementi - Sonatina Op.36 No.4 - 1 : Con spirito

Clementi - Sonatina Op.36 No.4 - 2 : Andante con espressione

Clementi - Sonatina Op.36 No.4 - 3 : Rondo: Allegro vivace

Solid performance, but I feel it's a little too safe in terms of dynamics for the first and third movement. I'm sure the piece would benefit from a few touches/ideas here and there, you could put in a crescendo from 1:47 to 1:49 and a change in dynamics for the louder when you repeat the measure at 2:09 once more for the first movement. As for the rondo, from 01:01-01:03 you could play the second repetition softer than the first and other related stuff. In general, when a measure is repeated, I think one should vary the dynamics in order to sustain musical interest.

The second movement is pretty exquisite as a whole however, though I would personally play the Bb bass note softer.

Thank you for your comments, Affinity. You are absolutely correct in that one should do something different on repeats, like alter the dynamics. I usually do that. This time around I didn't think it was appropriate given the way the music is written. Also, yes, there are some dynamic markings in my score but we have to keep in mind that they must be editorial and Clementi probably did not write them in. Or if he did, he had no way of knowing that future pianos would be capable of producing a much wider range of dynamics than his 'current' piano did at the time. Still, I appreciate what you wrote, as it reminds me to pay attention to these things, so thanks again.

Bravo, I enjoyed listening to your new recordings, sounds very stereo and light. Excellent work.

Thank you, John!

Bar 42 (1'47") in the I mov. is 4/4? Why?

Bar 31 of III mov.: the first note in the r.h. should be a G, not F.

II mov. is "Andante espressivo". If you search for this piece on iTunes, you can see a duration range between 1'49" and 2'17". Yours is 1'14". Too fast. I'm not agree at all with your staccato in the beginning. The word "espressivo" would suggest a legato, in my opinion (with pedal, of course).

In the whole Sonatina you make too many speed changes, not musically justified. For example: in the Finale you every time strike up the main theme faster, and then you slow down. In the "Andante" you tend to speed up the semiquavers in the r.h. It seems you want to escape.

However, I get some hints of the "spirito clementino" in the first and in the third movement. Not in the second movement, definitely out of style, and not "espressivo".

Thank you very much for pointing out my errors, Claudio. That spot where I made it 4/4 time - I have no idea why I did that!
Where I played an F instead of a G - Oh man, I've been playing an F my whole life!

As far as my tempo in the 2nd movement: It's just the way I feel the piece. I guess I can go a little bit slower, but my pedal usage and articulation are what I prefer; I don't think 'espressivo' necessarily means legato and I don't think one should use much pedal in these sonatinas. My 3rd movement tempo - I like to play the opening theme a little quickly because I think it makes the piece sound more playful. I didn't realize I slowed down in other places, though, and I'm still not sure that I did.

Well, anyway, looks like I'll have to re-re-record this one because of those two mistakes.

It probably felt like a good idea at the time

I guess so....

Wonderful! Got me into a cheerful mode in the boring hotel I stay at during this night (didn't spot the mistakes mentioned) . Completing the entire op.36 cycle!

Definitely deserves a tweet .

Thank you for listening, Robert!

I hope there is a nice mini-bar in your hotel room....haha.

I was not in a boring hotel - which happens to me sometimes too - but in my comfortable new home, and we had pleasure to listen your sonata while dining with my wife. Light but nice music, elegantly played... Congratulations, Monica !

Nice playing, but I'm inclined to agree with Claudio about the second movement. The movement sounds fine in isolation but taking the work as a global whole I think it would provide more contrast if you took it a bit slower. As it is, it sounds almost as if there are three fast movements (or at least two fast movements with a scherzo in between). As for pedal, perhaps a few touches do fit an espressivo marking; I wouldn't go overboard with it, and I like the way you've kept things clean in the outer movements.

Thank you, Francois!
Thank you, Andrew! Since now two people think my second movement is too fast, then I will re-record it.

Hi Monica,

I listened to all three movements. Sounded very good to me! Your playing has crisp articulation and evenness, changes in touch, dynamic contrasts, and good overall control. I enjoyed listening.

P.S. I didn't listen with the score. The story: Back around 1955/56 I played three of these Op. 36 Sonatinas, Nos. 2, 3 and 6. I recall that when I was 11 or 12 and had wrapped up No. 6, I threw the Clementi out. Regrettably it's true. But then I had to deal with Haydn.

David