Franz Xaver Mozart (1791-1844) was born just four months before Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s death, so he didn’t know his celebrated father. His mother Constanze pushed him really hard to have a career as a travelling virtuoso, trading under the name W.A.Mozart Jnr. Naturally, Franz Xaver did not find the burden of being Mozart’s son easy, but he had a decent enough career, though he was only modestly successful artistically and commercially. These two piano concertos are entertaining enough to be listened to on their own merits. The first was composed in 1809, when he was only 18, and is scored for a full classical orchestra minus clarinets. The second dates from 1818 and is more complex. I will be playing the last movement of that in my Sunday evening programme in a couple of weeks time. Muzio Clementi (1752–1832) was born in Rome, but was brought to England by a wealthy MP in 1767. He made a considerable reputation in London as a composer, keyboard virtuoso, and in later life as a celebrated teacher. His piano concerto dates from 1796, and is diverting, even if not much more than that. This is the beginning of a Hyperion series called The Classical Piano Concerto, and if they dig up more rarities like these, it will be most welcome. Longstanding Hyperion Artist Howard Shelley rattles off these concertos as if to the manner born, and also directs a new one on me, the St Gallen Symphony Orchestra from Switzerland.

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