John field composer biography section 2

John Field July 26, — January 23, was an Irish composer and pianist. The Classical era at the time of John Field highlighted the quick and dramatic twists of contrasting themes within a melody, a movement, as well as an entire composition in differentiation to the earlier Renaissance and Baroque periods which sought to convey one mood or emotion within a single composition.

John Field exemplified these classical contrasts of mood in nocturnes, and he thus is best known for being the first composer to write nocturnes. Nocturnes, sometimes referred to as nocturnal or night songs, are usually languid though lyrical piano compositions depicting heightened emotions through broad harmony and intimate flowing melodies.

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Field used the nocturne as a medium to communicate to the listener, within a society that enjoyed great variety and tolerated broad swings in the arts, a means for self—reflection. Born in Dublin , in , Field first studied the piano under his grandfather, also named John Field a professional organist, and later under Tommaso Giordani. He was the eldest son of Robert Field, who was a violinist.

He made his debut at the age of nine, a performance that was well-received. His family moved to Bath in , and later that same year went to London. Field's father there secured for him an apprenticeship with the pianist and piano manufacturer Muzio Clementi. He attracted favorable comment from Joseph Haydn for his performances. By the time he was seventeen, Field had already premiered his First Piano Concerto he wrote seven of them ; it was one of the last acts of his apprenticeship.

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He was lionized as a performer for several years before turning to composition, beginning with his first set of piano sonatas, dedicated to Clementi, published in When Clementi moved to Russia , Field followed him there, continuing his employment demonstrating his pianos. Field established his own concert career in Russia, and by was dividing his time between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, settling in the latter city after his marriage in His teaching proved lucrative, and his lifestyle became somewhat extravagant; he was something of a bon viveur , and fathered an illegitimate son.

By his health deteriorated, with a painful cancer of the rectum, and he traveled back to London for medical attention.