Percussion instruments are not often imagined in a Georgian drawing-room. Clementi knew that even those members of the family who couldn’t sing or play a conventional instrument nonetheless needed opportunities for display. His Twelve Waltzes with accompaniment of tambourine and triangle form his answer to this dilemma. The instruments are cunningly chosen to complement the Grecian dresses of those high-waisted Jane Austen heroines, and to display their arms even as they frowned over their complicated notated percussion parts. One suspects that perhaps they ended up simply tinkling at random – but ours will be a musicologically rigorous performance of Clementi’s original conception, enhanced by a jolly orchestration such as may have graced a Lord-Lieutenant’s ball.

In between sets of waltzes, students will play some of Clementi’s Sonatinas on our 1796 Broadwood pianoforte. These are perhaps the most widely played piano pieces of all, and still as fresh and tuneful as they were two centuries ago.

Performed by a student band, this event will include Clementi’s Waltzes with obligato triangle and tambourine, which are found in Jane Austen’s music collection, and some of his sonatinas (played on the 1796 Broadwood Grand Pianoforte).

Find out what else is on for Artistic Temperaments Festival

• Festival Ticket: book for all eight events for £46 (full price without discount £52)
Discount will be applied automatically at checkout

• Turner Sims Friends will receive their 10% discount whilst booking individual events for Artistic Temperaments Festival. If a Friend books for all eight events, the Festival Event Ticket (£46) will automatically apply.

• Student Festival Ticket: £20

Booked separately: Try the Pianos
9 – 11 February, times variable over the festival
Tickets £5 for a 15-minute session
1 person per slot (carers/guardians can accompany but will need to book a separate slot if they want to play)