55, two nocturnes, August, 1844; op. 62, two
nocturnes, September, 1846. In addition there is a nocturne
written in 1828 and published by Fontana, with the opus number
72, No. 2, and the lately discovered one in C sharp minor,
written when Chopin was young and published in 1895. This
completes the nocturne list, but following Niecks' system of
formal grouping I include the Berceuse and Barcarolle as full
fledged specimens of nocturnes.
John Field has been described as the forerunner of Chopin. The
limpid style of this pupil and friend of Clementi, his beautiful
touch and finished execution, were certainly admired and imitated
by the Pole. Field's nocturnes are now neglected--so curious are
Time's caprices--and without warrant, for not only is Field the
creator of the form, but in both his concertos and nocturnes he
has written charming, sweet and sane music. He rather patronized
Chopin, for whose melancholy pose he had no patience. "He has a
talent of the hospital," growled Field in the intervals between
his wine drinking, pipe smoking and the washing of his linen--the
latter economical habit he contracted from Clementi.
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