Nowadays it is difficult to regard Field as a ground-breaking
composer. His style seems to embody the salient qualities of early nineteenth
century piano music – graceful, tuneful and virtuosic – and
points directly towards Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn and other pianist-composers
of that period; yet, as a performer and composer, Field’s approach to
the piano contrasted with the audience-rousers fashionable in the concert
halls of his day. The delicate sensitivity of his seventeen Nocturnes
undoubtedly influenced Chopin, and his fame as a touring recitalist
did much to change the barnstorming image of the travelling virtuoso.
These two concertos have all the fragrance and filigree
detail of the five that Field wrote during his brief creative life,
and gain in beauty through Benjamin Frith’s excellent playing. Elaborate
though much of the piano writing is, it never declines into mere showmanship
or shallow prettiness. Every note counts. Indeed, it is the detail and
care that both orchestra and soloist lavish on their respective roles
that make this disc a prime choice for connoisseurs. The rapport between
soloist and orchestra is effortlessly maintained throughout. Skilful
phrasing and unfailing technical brilliance, together with a sensitively
balanced recording, make this a most impressive disk.
Roy D. Brewer
Benjamin Frith, piano