For her latest Deutsche Grammophon album, pianist Alice Sara Ott goes back to the origins of the nocturne. While this genre is often associated with Chopin, it was pioneered, if not invented, by the lesser-known John Field. Ott’s recording of his 18 Nocturnes celebrates the music of the man known as the ‘father of the nocturne’. Born in Ireland and a contemporary of Beethoven, Field’s legacy profoundly influenced Chopin and shaped the path of composers ever since.
Alice Sara Ott says: ‘With this album, I hope to inspire listeners to rediscover the roots of the Nocturne and to take them on a journey through a vast musical landscape – one filled with playful cascades, unexpected turns, and bittersweet melancholia.’