This Mannheim born musician spent most of his years in London though he did give concerts on the Continent. A prodigious pianist he quickly came into the company and tutelage of Clementi. Cramer not only performed with Clemeti but also became acquainted with such composers and performers as Scarlatti, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Cherubini, Schumann, Czerny, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Berlioz and Weber. Many lauded his legato touch on the piano which became the pianists tradition for years to come. His abilities were so uncanny that he influenced the playing of the piano throughout the nineteenth century. Cramer was a forthright and honest advocate of many composers and an ardent performer of those works which he admired (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven). Though his compositions lack any profound innovations, Cramer's music demonstrates musicianship, skill, and pleasing and galant idioms. He composed at least 124 piano sonatas and numerous concertos. In his smaller works Cramer yields pathos, spirit, and broad strokes of musical spectral paradigms. ~ Keith Johnson