1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Beethovenfest

DW staff (kjb)September 4, 2007

Field developed the genre of the "nocturne," which consist mainly of melody and accompaniment. Free in form, nocturnes allow room for the pianist's personal expression.

https://p.dw.com/p/BbMr
Beethovenfest logo
The Beethovenfest in an annual month-long festival

British composer and pianist John Field (1782-1837) was a student of Muzio Clementi. Field toured with his mentor throughout Europe to demonstrate the pianos the elder composer and entrepreneur aimed to sell. Passing through Russia with Clementi, the young musician decided to stay behind and make Moscow his home.

Austrian pianist Gottlieb Wallisch performed Field's E Minor nocturne in the Beethovenhaus as part of the 2007 Beethovenfest.