Field: Piano Concertos, Nocturnes & Sonatas

The Irish composer and pianist John Field (1782-1837) can take credit for having invented the nocturne, a genre first transformed by Chopin into a vehicle for pianistic flights of fantasy and later reimagined by Fauré and Debussy. Born in Dublin, Field was a pupil of Clementi and was highly praised by Beethoven, among others. He lived in Russia for many years, where he enjoyed a sparkling career with a lavish lifestyle to match. Today, his nocturnes sound innocuous and pleasing, but his seven piano concertos are substantial works that occupy an ideal ground between Mozart and Mendelssohn. Joined by the four piano sonatas and 18 nocturnes, this collection—played with passion and conviction by Benjamin Frith—shines a light on the enticing world of John Field and his command of the keyboard.