Editor's Notes: The remarkably diverse career of Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) has made him one of the most important and influential men in the history of the piano. He was highly acclaimed as a pianist and toured many cities of Europe giving concerts. As a composer, his "Three Sonatas, Op. 2" may be considered as finally establishing the form of the piano sonata. His great book of etudes, "Gradus ad Parnassum," is a reminder that he was one of the greatest of piano teachers. Many distinguished musicians (including Field, Cramer, Moscheles, Kalkbrenner, and Meyerbeer) were pupils of Clementi. An enterprising businessman, he also established a piano factory and publishing company. Among his first publications were major works of Beethoven. Undoubtedly, we have all benefited from the rich legacy left by Muzio Clementi. One of Clementi's most successful works for piano is the "Six Sonatinas, Op.36." The well deserved popularity of these sonatinas is due to their exceptional musical charm and the excellent material they provide for learning about classical sonata playing. Ms. Hidy's distinguished performances have been closely matched to "Clementi: Six Sonatinas, Opus 36, for the Piano" , Edited by Keith Snell, Neil A. Kjos Music Company, Publisher (GP379). Academy Records hopes that this will be a practical resource and valuable contribution to your music library. If we fail to live up to your expectations in any way, please feel free to write to me personally. Sincerely, Keith Snell, Producer Academy Records Artist Notes: Pianist Diane Hidy made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1991 after completing her studies with John Perry and Leon Fleisher. In 1987 Diane was the first woman to become a Fellow of the American Pianists Association and in 1982 was the winner of the MTNA Collegiate Artist Competition. She has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra s First Prize winner of the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition. Diane attended the Juilliard School of Music, and holds music degrees from the University of Southern California and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She spent her high school years in Seattle, Washington, where she was a student of Michiko Miyamoto. Diane and her husband, J. Tony Smith, live in San Francisco, CA, where she teaches young beginners through advanced high school students and adults.