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Naxos

Field: Piano Music Vol 1 - Nocturnes And Sonatas / Frith

$19.99 Only 1 left

Details

Composer
FIELD
Artist
Benjamin, Frith
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Aug 23, 1999
Catalog #
8550761
UPC
730099576123

About

Fifteen years before Chopin wrote his first "nocturne", Irish pianist/composer John Field composed his Nocturne No. 1 in E-flat major, followed by at least 15 more pieces in the same style. In these short works for solo piano, Field--who was one of the most celebrated pianists in the world during the first quarter of the 19th century--put form to the idea of a contemplative, lyrical composition, specifically tailored to the piano's expressive capabilities. These "night" pieces are primarily characterized by a dominant, gracefully flowing melody, with most of the harmonic activity in the pianist's left hand. Although other pianists have recorded at least some of Field's Nocturnes--most notably John O'Conor (Telarc) and Miceál O'Rourke (Chandos)--Benjamin Frith's own uniquely inflected, poetic readings have a satisfying aura of intimacy cast in the warm colors of his well-tempered, expertly recorded piano. Although O'Conor's playing is more lyrical, with more fluid legatos, Frith generally takes more time--and these invariably lovely pieces blossom just as fully and brilliantly. The two sonatas are not notable for their originality--they owe much to their dedicatee, Field's teacher Clementi--but they reveal the young composer's gift for understanding the piano's unique voice. This is music for everyone--for any time of day, for any prevailing mood--and we're lucky to have such a fine pianist as Frith joining the Field field. [10/22/1999] --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 13 tracks

  1. 1 Nocturne No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 24 03:49
    Track
    1
    Title
    Nocturne No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 24
    Duration
    03:49
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  2. 2 Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor, H. 25 03:39
    Track
    2
    Title
    Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor, H. 25
    Duration
    03:39
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  3. 3 Nocturne No. 3 in A-Flat Major, H. 26 04:51
    Track
    3
    Title
    Nocturne No. 3 in A-Flat Major, H. 26
    Duration
    04:51
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  4. 4 Nocturne No. 4 in A Major, H. 36 05:27
    Track
    4
    Title
    Nocturne No. 4 in A Major, H. 36
    Duration
    05:27
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  5. 5 Nocturne No. 5 in B-Flat Major, H. 37A 02:51
    Track
    5
    Title
    Nocturne No. 5 in B-Flat Major, H. 37A
    Duration
    02:51
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  6. 6 I. Allegro moderato 06:13
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    06:13
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  7. 7 II. Rondo: Allegro 04:10
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Rondo: Allegro
    Duration
    04:10
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  8. 8 Nocturne No. 6 in F Major, H. 40A 05:04
    Track
    8
    Title
    Nocturne No. 6 in F Major, H. 40A
    Duration
    05:04
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  9. 9 Nocturne No. 7 in C Major, H. 45A 05:16
    Track
    9
    Title
    Nocturne No. 7 in C Major, H. 45A
    Duration
    05:16
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  10. 10 Nocturne No. 8 in A Major, H. 14E 04:19
    Track
    10
    Title
    Nocturne No. 8 in A Major, H. 14E
    Duration
    04:19
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  11. 11 I. Allegro vivace 06:33
    Track
    11
    Title
    I. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    06:33
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  12. 12 II. Allegro vivace 04:39
    Track
    12
    Title
    II. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    04:39
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  13. 13 Nocturne No. 9 in E-Flat Major, H. 30 04:00
    Track
    13
    Title
    Nocturne No. 9 in E-Flat Major, H. 30
    Duration
    04:00
    Composer
    John Field
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith