Field - 18 Nocturnes [O'Rourke]The Nocturnes of John Field are inventive and pleasing enough, one thing to be sure of, they are not in the same league as Chopin's, the very best of Field is only poor Chopin, there isn't the intense level of creativity, the supreme architecture, and the sheer lyricism and effortless beauty that Chopin's Nocturnes exude, however this two disc set is pleasing in its own way, even if some of Field's Nocturnes seem just a tad ordinary.
Miceal O'Rourke, is Irish, and has been a champion of Field's music on the Chandos Label, this set was recorded in 1988, and i bought this early in 1992, and played it quite extensively at first, it gets played less now, but every time i do get to play it, i'm glad i did, they aren't intense pieces of music, but are inoffensive and tuneful.
All of Field's Nocturnes seem to suffer somewhat from the 'sameness syndrome', it's not that easy to pick out individuals when everyone around them sounds alike, one exception is Nocturne 7, it has a disarming individualism to it, it's certainly repetitive, after a hesitating intro, there's the start of the tolling of the bell in the right hand [0:10+], while the left plays a gentle counter melody, but the bells start to get lively [0:32+], with a little trill before every chime, there's slight key / octave changes, and at times the chimes may reach further up the treble of the keyboard, and have a slightly greater urgency about them, but the basic thing doesn't change, it's the repetitiveness that tolls into your brain, a very satisfying piece of music, but... is it really a Nocturne?.
Here's O'Rourke playing the Seventh Nocturne on YouTube.
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