Field: 15 Nocturnes

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Regardless of who was first to coin the term "Nocturne," 19th-century Irish composer John Field's Nocturnes, 15 of which are included here, stand side by side with those of Chopin for their consummate tunefulness, harmonic ingenuity, and pure pianistic resourcefulness. Fellow Irishman John O'Conor informs each of these gems with interpretive authenticity, unpretentious refinement, and elegance. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Molto Moderato
Moderato E Molto Espressivo
Poco Adagio
Andantino
Andante
Andante
Andantino
Adagio
Moderato
Lento
Lento
Molto Moderato
Molto Moderato
Molto Moderato
Allegretto

Amazon.com

Regardless of who was first to coin the term "Nocturne," 19th-century Irish composer John Field's Nocturnes, 15 of which are included here, stand side by side with those of Chopin for their consummate tunefulness, harmonic ingenuity, and pure pianistic resourcefulness. Fellow Irishman John O'Conor informs each of these gems with interpretive authenticity, unpretentious refinement, and elegance. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

hypnotizing in its beauty.......2007-06-10

This album's simple grace and natural beauty continue to amaze me everytime I listen. It's the perfect soundtrack for so many moments too, when you want beautiful music that is accessible enough to keep people energized, but invisible enough to just be in the background pleasantly. We listen to it at dinnertime often, or in the morning, or in the setting sun.

Field's Nocturnes.......2007-03-14

If proof were needed of Irish composer John Field's place in musical history, his "Nocturnes" are it. Chopin's nocturnes are directly traceable to Field's influence, and both composers wrote their works for piano. His influence has continued. This is piano music. Listen and learn.

Composer who should be better known.......2007-01-10

These nocturnes by John Field, the originator of the form, are sadly little known. They are lovely pieces played exquisitely by John O'Conor. The sounds are like a shimmering liquid magic poured over you when the day has been chaotic and ugly . . . suddenly you're smoothed out and all is well. Anyone who likes the Chopin Nocturnes played by someone like Moravec should get this album. It's a delightful surprise and real treat.

Thank you John O'Conor.......2005-02-21

This was one of my very first CD purchases when I finally crossed over to digital in 1990 and about 1300 CDs later, it's still one of the ones I play most often. Comparisons to Chopin are unnecessary, this gorgeous music stands on its own. I was unfamiliar with Field's work when I purchased this and John O'Conor can be credited with a mini renaissance of John Field - there are now numerous Field works available in the catalog.

In my view, Field's Nocturnes are still not as popular as they should be - they may not be as musically complex as the more famous Romantic piano composers, but they are always beautiful. I can't imagine a more sympathetic performance than that given by Mr. O'Conor. I've been playing this CD regularly for 15 years and I really have no desire to hear any other performance of this beautiful music.

The CD cover effectively captures the mood these pieces evoke. The music is consistently gentle and tranquil but never even remotely dull. This would be an excellent purchase for someone just starting to explore classical music (stay away from those dreadful compilations!). In fact, this would be a great purchase for people who profess not to like classical music. It's difficult for me to believe that there's anybody who wouldn't find moments when this CD would create just the mood they were looking for. Even headbangers need some reflective time.

Perfect!.......2003-03-20

This disc is absolutely wonderful. Every piece is composed with luxurious beauty, delicacy, and sensuousness. The inevitable comparison to the Nocturnes of Chopin do not even slightly dim the luster of these exquisite little gems, most under five minutes in length. They are certainly not as perfectly crafted as Chopin's, but they can stand on their own as delightful listening music, sublime in simplicity and flowing lyricism. John O'Conor performs flawlessly; it is obvious that he takes great pleasure in allowing the piano to sing to us.

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous!
One of my favorites
Delectable!

John Field: The Complete Nocturnes

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

15 Nocturnes of John Field (1782 - 1837)
John Field: Piano Concertos 1 & 2
Piano Concertos No. 2 and 4
Field: 16 Piano Pieces
John Field: Sonatas and Nocturnes

ASIN: B000000AIK
Release Date: 1992-09-30

Tracks:

The Complete Nocturnes: No. 1 in E-Flat Major: Es-Dur, mi bemol majeur: Molto moderato
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 2 in C Minor: c-Moll; ut mineur: Moderato e molto espress
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 3 in A-Flat Major: As-Dur; la bemol majeur: Un poco Allegretto
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 4 in A Major: A-Dur; la majeur: Poco Adagio
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 5 in B-Flat Major: B-Dur; si bemol majeur: Cantabile, assai Lento
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 6 in F Major: F-Dur; fa majeur: Andante tranquillo
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 7 in C Major: C-Dur; ut majeur: Dreamily
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 8 in A Major: A-Dur; la majeur: Andante
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 9 in E-Flat Major: Es-Dur; mi bemol majeur: Andante spiananto

Tracks:

The Complete Nocturnes: No. 10 in e: e-moll; mi mineur: Adagio
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 11 in E flat: Es-Dur; mi bemol majeur: Moderato
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 12 in G: G-Dur; sol majeur: Lento
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 13 in d: d-Moll; re mineur: Lento
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 14 in C: C-Cur; ut majeur: Molto Moderato
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 15 in C: C-Dur; ut majeur: Molto Moderato
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 16 in F: F-Dur; fa majeur: Molto Moderato
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 17 in E: E-Dur, mi majeur: Andante Con Moto
The Complete Nocturnes: No. 19 in E: E-Dur; mi majeur: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous! .......2006-02-18

I highly recommend this recording! I heard Field's work for the first time not long ago and wanted to get my own recording. I had to pay a pretty penny for this collection (via Marketplace) but it was worth every cent!

What a great composer and what a great job Micael O'Rourke has done, as well!

One of my favorites.......2005-12-17

Chopin made the nocturne famous, but Field invented the form. Field's nocturnes, composed between 1812 and 1832, are rather less intense and less complex than Chopin's, but perfectly lovely, and beautifully performed here by pianist O'Rourke. When I feel too frazzled for almost anything but silence, these pieces soothe and solace.

Delectable!.......2000-07-16

John Field is probably one of the most under-rated composers . Most classical music afficianados swoon over Chopin's nocturnes (justifiably so) , but I am surprised by the number of people who have never even heard of Field !Unlike Chopin , John Field does not wear his heart on his sleeve in these nocturnes , but to my mind they are far more superior .They are delicate & delectable without being maudlin (unlike Chopin)...listening to these nocturnes at night is like watching snowflakes fall on an arctic lake in the comfort of a heated cabin !If you like Chopin's nocturnes , you'll love these hidden gems !

John Field: Complete Piano Music: Nocturnes Nos. 1-15

Average customer rating:

Nice!

John Field: Complete Piano Music: Nocturnes Nos. 1-15

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Nocturne No. 1 in E flat
Nocturne No. 2 in c
Nocturne No. 3 in A flat
Nocturne No. 4 in A
Nocturne No. 5 in B flat
Nocturne No. 6 in F
Nocturne No. 7 in A
Nocturne No. 8 in E flat
Nocturne No. 9 in e
Nocturne No. 10 in E
Nocturne No. 11 in E flat
Nocturne No. 12 in E
Nocturne No. 13 in C
Nocturne No. 14 in G
Nocturne No. 15 in d

Customer Reviews:

Nice!.......2000-07-03

A natural regression for any lover of Chopin would seem to be to the music of John Field - specifically the nocturnes. However, this is no downward step. Field's nocturnes may seem a little simple in comparison with Chopin's, but on the first hearing this music gently pulls you away into wonderful landscapes and emotions. It would be natural to assume that in his later years John Field may have felt left behind, overshadowed by the success of Chopin, Mendelssohn, List, Schubert etc. - listening to his nocturnes, there is no hint of any such sentiment. In fact, Field's music very often reaches perfection, saying all it needs to say, with apparent simplicity; a guise which belies delicate subtleties, allowed only to penetrate one's soul through secret levels of consciousness known only to the composer himself.

Essentially, this is pure nocturne format: beautiful right-hand melodies over left-hand figuration. The harmony is classical, yet retains an originality leaving the music still fresh after around 200 years. While some of the nocturnes give insight into where a few of Chopin's ideas may have budded, Field's works are as Fieldesque as Chopin's are Chopinesque. But, equally, it requires a real talent to sing the melodies which often burst out in a flowering reminiscent of the "bel canto" style in the great Italian operas of the time. Pietro Spada displays a real gift in both technique and musicality, allowing Field's ideas to spring forth and invite us to meditate upon their charming wisdom. Each note is crisp and his expression is tasteful, retaining that apathetic air so present in all of Field's compositions - it's music that exists because it must exist, somehow more a part of nature or the cosmos than of humanity. Essentially, I believe Spada aimed to allow us to forget the player, the composer, and simply experience the music itself - unless this was Field's original aim and it just comes through the playing. Either way, this is simply fantastic music presented extremely well by Pietro Spada. Not all the nocturnes are on this volume though: others appear on the volume after this one along with several other compositions. However, all of Field's music is worth spending time with, though I would recommend starting with this one.

Field: The Complete Piano Nocturnes
Average customer rating:
Field: The Complete Piano Nocturnes

Manufacturer: Tuxedo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Field, John | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005MZ0
Release Date: 1996-03-26

Tracks:

No.1 in E flat: Molto Moderato
No.2 in c: Moderato E Molto Espressivo
No.3 in A flat: Un Poco Allegretto
No.4 in A: Poco Adagio
No.5 in B flat: Cantabile, Assai Lento
No.6 in F, Cradle Song: Andante Tranquillo
No.7 in C Reverie - Nocturne: Dreamily
No.8 in A: Andante
No.9 in E flat: Andante Spiananto
No.10 in e: Adagio
No.11 in E flat: Moderato
No.12 in G: Lento
No.13 in d, Song Without Words: Lento
No.14 in C: Molto Moderato
No.15 in C: Molto Moderato
No.16 in F: Molto Moderato
No.17 in E, Nocturne Pastorale: Andante Con Moto
No.18 in E, Nocturne Caracteristique 'Midi': Allegro

Average customer rating:

Nocturne

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001HO1
Release Date: 1993-09-11

Average customer rating:

Beautiful rendering of beautiful pieces

John Field: 15 Nocturnes

Manufacturer: Pavane
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Nocturne No.1 In E Flat Major
Nocturne No.2 In C Minor
Nocturne No.3 In A Flat Major
Nocturne No.4 In A Major
Nocturne No.5 In B Flat Major
Nocturne No.6 In F Major
Nocturne No.7 In C Major
Nocturne No.8 In A Major
Nocturne No.9 In E Flat Major
Nocturne No.10 In E Minor
Nocturne No.11 In E Flat Major
Nocturne No.12 In G Major
Nocturne No.13 In D Minor
Nocturne No.14 In C Major
Nocturne No.15 In C Major

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful rendering of beautiful pieces.......2000-12-10

For those who love Chopin's Nocturnes, these Field works are a must-have. Field created the genre known as the nocturne, but because of Chopin's great works, he has been largely forgotten by posterity. This neglect is entirely unjustified. Although Chopin's nocturnes are harmonically richer and more elegant with their arpeggiated bases, Field's works are beautiful as well. These nocturnes combine long lines of melody with pleasant accompinament often touched with hints of chromaticism. All the nocturnes are lovely, but some are truly worthy of being called masterpieces. Mamou handles them with the grace and lyricism that they require. No lover of piano music should deprive himself of listening to these gems.