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🎹 Classic 107 Presents: John Field Piano Concerto Week
July 21–25 • Daily at 1 PM
To commemorate the 243rd birthday of Irish composer John Field (born July 26, 1782) , Classic 107 invites you to a special exploration of his exquisite piano concertos. Join us each day this week at 1 PM for a journey through Field’s rare but radiant orchestral works—performed by Míċeál O’Rourke, the Dublin-born pianist celebrated for reviving Field’s music, with the London Mozart Players under conductor Matthias Bamert.
📋 Playlist Schedule
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Monday, July 21 – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E‑flat major, H 27 (1799)
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Tuesday, July 22 – Piano Concerto No. 2 in A‑flat major, H 31 (1811)
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Wednesday, July 23 – Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, H 32 (1811)
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Thursday, July 24 – Piano Concerto No. 4 in E major, H 28 (1814/1819)
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Friday, July 25 – Piano Concerto No. 5 in B‑flat major, H 39, “The Blazing Storm” (1817)
🎼 Who Was John Field?
Born in Dublin to a musical family (his father a violinist and grandfather an organist), Field made his public debut at age nine. He moved to London to study and work under Muzio Clementi, later settling in Russia around 1804 . His charm, skill, and fearless pianism made him a star across Europe.
He is widely esteemed as the inventor of the piano nocturne, a form later popularized by Chopin. These pieces feature a singing melody over broken-chord accompaniment—an approach that deeply influenced Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, and others.
Field wrote seven piano concertos between 1799 and the early 1830s. Though not as familiar today, concertos Nos. 2 and 5 stand out:
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Concerto No. 2 is arguably his most popular, praised by Schumann and never out of print in the 19th century
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Concerto No. 5, nicknamed “The Blazing Storm,” was Field’s dramatic response to Steibelt’s own storm concerto—complete with thunder, lightning effects, and even a tam-tam gong.
🎧 Nearly Forgotten, Rediscovered
Field died in Moscow in 1837 from pneumonia , and his larger works faded into obscurity while his nocturnes remained cherished by pianists. In recent years, interest has surged—most notably with Alice Sara Ott’s new recording of all 18 nocturnes, praised for its warmth and respect for Field’s original lyrical clarity.
🎹 This Week’s Concertos: A Closer Look
Concerto No. 1 (1799)
A youthful, elegant Romantic work in three movements, notable for its melodic charm and the premiere at London’s Haymarket Theatre when Field was just 16
Concerto No. 2 (1811)
More mature and melodic than its predecessor, its flowing slow movement and sprightly Irish-inspired reels reflect Mozartian clarity and Clementi’s influence
Concerto No. 3 (1811)
Follows the lyrical yet dramatic model of No. 2—an expressive and richly textured work.
Concerto No. 4 (1814/1819)
Often praised for its refined harmonic color and more Romantic sensibility.
Concerto No. 5, “The Blazing Storm” (1817)
A high-stakes musical battlepiece: a storm sequence featuring thunderous orchestration, a gong, and accompanying cadenza—a vivid orchestral portrayal
Why Tune In?
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Discover a nearly hidden gem of classical repertoire—Field’s concertos are adventurous, imaginative, melodious, and expressive.
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Experience the artistry of Míċeál O’Rourke, whose recordings helped revive interest in Field .
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Celebrate the legacy of a composer whose innovations shaped Romantic piano music and paved the way for Chopin, Liszt, and others.
🗓️ Tune In Every Day, 1 PM
Join Classic 107 from July 21–25 for a daily concerto that honors John Field’s birthday week. Whether you're a longtime fan or exploring his music for the first time, these episodes promise inspiration and delight.
Happy birthday, Mr. Field—thank you for the music! 🎂
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