John Field: 20 Nocturnes

John Field, well-known in 19th-century Europe as a teacher and pianist, distinguished by a beautiful, intense cantabile, has his place in music history, but does not play a large role in contemporary concert life. There are recordings, above all of his concerti; there also exist a few recordings of his nocturnes.

Ewa Pobłocka, the winner of the 10th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition, recorded a complete set of them for the first time in 1994, receiving a special medal from the Irish Government for them. This time, she has made the first complete recording of the 20 Nocturnes on a historical instrument – an 1838 Erard.