John Field

John Field (1782-1837) was an Irish composer and pianist, most notable for his development of the nocturne, a slow, dream-like form of piano music intended to evoke the night time. He wrote seventeen of these and they were very highly rated by Frederic Chopin whose own nocturnes were written some twenty years later.

As a pianist, Field eschewed the then-fashionable virtuosic display, preferring delicacy of expression and lightness of touch. In addition to nocturnes, he wrote sonatas, some chamber music, and seven piano concertos. He remained in St. Petersburg after a concert in 1803. He taught and continued composing and became a popular figure in society there and in Moscow until his death. His music has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

See also[edit]

• Mikhail Glinka
• Frederic Chopin