Field, Chopin and the Nocturne
Donald Macleod explores the origins of the nocturne. Includes Chopin: Mazurka No 1 in B flat, Op 7; Polonaise in G minor, KK IIa/1 (1817). Field: Nocturne No 1 in E flat, H24.
Donald Macleod in conversation with the pianist Míceál O'Rourke, explores two piano giants, the towering Romantic Fryderyk Chopin, and the Father of the Nocturne John Field. John Field was considered the greatest pianist of his day, living an eccentric life in Russia, and admired across Europe by the likes of Hummel, Liszt, Schumann and Spohr. His talents as a pianist were renowned, and he taught many students including Glinka. During Chopin's early career, he was often asked if he was the pupil of John Field, which Chopin found flattering. Both composers developed enviable reputations as performers and composers, yet they both died relatively young due to illnesses they'd long suffered from. During the week, Donald Macleod will be exploring the legacy of both composers, and how Field may have influenced works later composed by Chopin.
When asked what he thought of Chopin, the composer and pianist John Field remarked: "What has he written? Nothing but mazurkas." Field had at that time only heard early Chopin, such as the Mazurka no.1 in B flat major. However, as a young pianist and composer, Fryderyk Chopin soon started to make a name for himself, and after a command performance for the Tsar of Russia, was awarded with a diamond ring.
Chopin entered the Warsaw Conservatoire, where he developed his skills further, composing works such as the Piano Trio in G minor. However, from early on there was an influence from the older composer John Field, which can be heard in Chopin's Nocturne no.7 in C sharp minor.
John Field was born in Ireland almost 30 years before the birth of Chopin, and like Chopin he quickly made his name as a pianist, although Field's talent was encouraged rather harshly, with beatings from his father and grandfather. Field was soon composing little dance-like works, such as his Irish sounding Rondo on the theme, "Go to the Devil". Recognising Field's talent, his family soon moved to London where young John was apprenticed to Muzio Clementi, known to the French as 'The Pope of Musicians'.
Field's apprenticeship required him to perform on regular occasions in Clementi's piano showrooms, encouraging prospective buyers to purchase an instrument. However, Field's reputation as a pianist was about to get a boost, with a performance in London at the age of about 17, of his first Piano Concerto no.1 in E flat major.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Music Played
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Trio in G minor Op.8 for piano and strings
Performer: Emanuel Ax. Performer: Pamela Franck. Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma.- Sony: SK53112.
- Sony.
- 1.
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
2 Nocturnes Op.27 for piano
Performer: Maria João Pires.- Deutsche Grammophon: 4770962.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 7.
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
5 Mazurkas Op.7 for piano - no 1
Performer: Jean‐Marc Luisada.- 5 Mazurkas for piano op.7.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 1.
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Polonaise in G minor Op.posth. for piano [1817]
Performer: Garrick Ohlsson.- Hyperion: CDS44356.
- Hyperion.
- 1.
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Polonaise in B flat minor Op.posth. (Adieu) for piano [1826]
Performer: Garrick Ohlsson.- Hyperion: CDS44356.
- Hyperion.
- 2.
-
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in C sharp minor Op.27`1, arr. Ricci for violin and piano [orig. for p
Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke. -
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in C sharp minor Op.27`1, arr. Ricci for violin and piano [orig. for p
Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke. -
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in C sharp minor Op.27`1, arr. Ricci for violin and piano [orig. for p
Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke. -
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in C sharp minor Op.27`1, arr. Ricci for violin and piano [orig. for p
Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke. -
![]()
John Field
Go to the Devil and shake yourself (Irish dance) - rondo H.3 for piano [1797]
Performer: Pietro Spada.- Arts:471792.
- Arts.
- 2.
-
![]()
John Field
Nocturne no. 1 in E flat major H.24 for piano
Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke.- CHANDOS : chan-8719/20.
- CHANDOS.
- 1.
-
![]()
John Field
Concerto no. 1 in E flat major H.27 for piano and orchestra
Ensemble: London Mozart Players. Performer: Míċeál O'Rourke. Conductor: Matthias Bamert.- CHANDOS : CHAN-10468.
- CHANDOS.
- 2.
Broadcasts
- Mon 24 Sep 2012 12:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 24 Sep 2012 18:30BBC Radio 3
- Mon 7 Apr 2014 12:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 7 Apr 2014 18:30BBC Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.