Field, John (1782-1837)

Irish-born composer and pianist. He is often regarded as one of a group of composers known as the London Pianoforte School, and all of his works include the piano, reaching their peak artistically with his nocturnes, a genre he named and devised. These anticipate Chopin's nocturnes by 20 years, especially regarding their forward-looking textures and passage work.

As an apprentice to Muzio Clementi, Field travelled throughout Europe demonstrating instruments for the firm of piano makers established by his master. In 1803 he settled in St Petersburg, Russia, where he composed most of his mature music.

Field was the son of a violinist at the Dublin theatre. He was taught music and the piano by his grandfather, an organist. On moving to London he was apprenticed to Clementi, who taught him and at whose piano warehouse he was employed to show off the instruments by improvisation. He made his first public appearance at Giuseppe Giordani's concerts in Dublin in 1792 and in London in 1794. In 1802 Clementi took him to Paris, Germany, and Russia. He left him behind at St Petersburg in 1803, where he became a piano teacher and in 1808 married a Mlle Percheron. In 1822 he settled in Moscow, where he had as great a success as he had had in the new capital. He travelled much as a pianist, visiting London in 1832, and afterwards Paris, Switzerland, and Italy. In Naples he was taken ill and lay in hospital for months until a Russian family took him back to Moscow, where he died soon after his return.

Works Seven piano concertos (1799-1822); 17 nocturnes, four sonatas, and many rondos, fantasies, variations, and other pieces for piano; piano quintet and other chamber music; works for piano duet.