Editing Muzio Clementi (section)

===Move to England===
In 1766 Sir [[Peter Beckford (hunter)|Peter Beckford]], a wealthy Englishman, nephew of [[William Beckford (politician)|William Beckford]] (twice [[Lord Mayor]] of London, and father of the novelist [[William Thomas Beckford]]), visited Rome. He was impressed by the young Clementi's musical talent and negotiated with his father to take him to his estate, [[Stepleton House]], north of [[Blandford Forum]] in [[Dorset]], England. Beckford agreed to provide quarterly payments to sponsor the boy's musical education until he reached the age of 21. In return, he was expected to provide musical entertainment. For the next seven years, Clementi lived, performed, and studied at the estate in Dorset. During this period, it appears, Clementi spent eight hours a day at the [[harpsichord]], practicing and studying the works of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], [[Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach]], [[George Frideric Handel]], [[Arcangelo Corelli]], [[Domenico Scarlatti]], [[Alessandro Scarlatti]], and [[Bernardo Pasquini]]. His only compositions dated to this period are the [[List of compositions by Muzio Clementi|Sonatas Op. 13 and 14]] and the ''Sei Sonate per clavicembalo o pianoforte'', Op. 1.<ref name=" MuzioClementi.com"/>

In 1770 Clementi made his first public performance as an [[organist]]. The audience was reported to be impressed with his playing, thus beginning one of the outstandingly successful concert pianist careers of the period.

In 1774 Clementi was freed from his obligations to Peter Beckford. During the winter of 1774–1775 he moved to London, making his first appearance as a harpsichordist in a [[benefit concert]] on 3 April 1775. He made several public appearances in London as a solo harpsichordist at benefit concerts for two local musicians, a singer and a [[harpist]], and served as conductor (from the keyboard) at the King's Theatre (now [[His Majesty's Theatre, London|His Majesty's Theatre]]), [[Haymarket, London|Haymarket]], for at least part of this time.