Frank Merrick plays Field Piano Sonata in C Minor Op.1 No.3

Pianist-composer Frank Merrick's May 3, 1937 recording of John Field Piano Sonata in C Minor Op.1 No.3. This work was recorded for the centenary of the composer's death for the Parlophone label and is not particularly well-known amongst collectors, having rarely been reissued.

Merrick was a pupil of the great Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna and lived to the age of 95 but he recorded very little in his prime; some later LPs of Field and other composers do not do him (or the music) justice. In this performance, however, the English pianist and composer (who was named a CBE) was in very fine form. He plays with a lush singing sonority, wonderfully balanced textures, sprite rhythm, exquisite phrasing, and defined articulation.

The music here was awkwardly split across three 78rpm disc sides, each record change being in the middle of a movement, but fortunately with digital technology I was able to effect some seamless side joins - I change the image of the record at each of the two splices.

I have also uploaded the Field Nocturne that was on the fourth side of the two-disc set - you can hear that here: https://youtu.be/pTxGzsSCKsk

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