Alice Sara Ott, John Field – John Field: Complete Nocturnes (2xLP)

Alice Sara Ott’s John Field: Complete Nocturnes is a graceful and refined tribute to one of the most overlooked composers of the Romantic era. Often credited as the inventor of the nocturne, John Field laid the groundwork for Chopin and others, yet his music rarely receives the attention it deserves. Ott brings Field’s lyricism to the fore with a light, expressive touch and remarkable control, allowing each piece to unfold naturally. The nocturnes glow with gentle charm and subtle emotional depth, reminding us of the quiet innovations that Field introduced to the piano repertoire.

What’s most compelling about this recording is Ott’s sensitivity to the music’s restraint. She avoids imposing excessive drama or romantic flourishes, instead letting the clean lines and graceful phrasing speak for themselves. Her performance bridges the historical context with a modern clarity, renewing these nocturnes for a contemporary audience. This collection is not only a beautifully played album—it’s a necessary reintroduction of Field’s artistry through the hands of a pianist who clearly understands and appreciates his legacy.

Reviews

"Ott plays them all with great affection, never attempting to make them seem more profound or expressively complex than they are, and in treating this neglected music simply at face value, she has done it proud." — The Guardian

"In Ott's playing, classical elegance and clarity prevail over Romantic melancholy... Nocturne No 7 sparkles with magic." — Financial Times

"Ott’s approach to the nocturnes is audibly post-Chopin, but none the worse for that. The right hand takes runs to the moon while the left picks out a hummable melody." — Norman Lebrecht, Slipped Disc

"Ott’s sound quality proves most captivating, integrating and reconciling features so nicely." — The Classic Review

"Her technical proficiency elevates the pieces, with standout moments such as the magical sparkle of Nocturne No. 7 and the clear part-writing in No. 13, 'Rêverie-Nocturne.'" — Financial Times