Search - John [Composer] Field, Benjamin Frith :: Field: Piano Music Volume 2

Frith continues his sorcery

Dace Gisclard | Houston, TX | 08/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS REVIEW APPLIES TO VOL.I, which should be purchased as a companion to this CD!



Frith continues the spell his sorcery wove in Vol.I, with this Vol.II of his survey of the nocturnes of John Field-the piano sings under his fingers--one almost hears the instrument draw breath between phrases. One hears the influence of Donizetti and Bellini, and the piano "sings" a real legato line, nuanced just the way a singer would do it. Frith is the perfect pianist for Field's prophecies of Chopin. This music would not be as beguiling played by an artist less attuned to its particular sort of sensitivity. I've heard a lot of other performances of this repertoire that don't begin to do show it for what it really is. It's like hearing a routine performance of, say, "Casta diva" that merely accounts for what's on the page, and then hearing Callas lavish her artistry on the same aria. Suddenly the intelligence and musical and dramatic instincts of the artist makes what seemed pedestrian spring to vivid life. The recorded sound is warm and natural. You MUST hear this!"

SOLO PIANO AT ITS BEST

Socrates Stewart | Owings Mills, MD | 06/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"***NOTE: THIS REVIEW APPLIES TO VOLUME ONE AS WELL THAT THE LISTENER IS ADVISED TO PURCHASE AS A COMPANION PIECE.



I've only recently discovered the works of John Field. What a pleasant surprise. Field's work is like that of no other. The listener is treated to a wide range of performance techniques covering a vast landscape of musical geography and temperament.



This collection of excellent Nocturnes and Sonatas fits right in with other piano specialists: Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven and Schubert.



For those asking "who's John Field," here's the answer.



The recording performed by Benjamin Frith is excellent. His performance is both nuanced and powerful. The transcription to CD has been executed flawlessly and the price is right, less than ten dollars."