Biography (read more)

Benjamin Frith was born in South Yorkshire on 11 October 1957, began with Fanny Waterman at ten, and won the Dudley competition at fourteen, after which Peter Pears invited him to Aldeburgh. Top prizes at the Busoni (joint, 1986) and the Artur Rubinstein in Tel Aviv (1989) confirmed a career he has divided between concerto work, chamber music and an enormous recording catalogue.

Frith is one of the quiet completists of the modern catalogue: his Naxos cycles — Mendelssohn’s concertos and songs without words, John Field’s concertos and nocturnes — put whole neglected literatures within reach at accessible prices. His Field in particular gives this site the origin of the nocturne to set beside Chopin’s transformation of it.

Sources:

Repertoire

3 Fantaisies ou caprices, Op. 16, No. 2, Scherzo in E Minor, MWV U71: III. Andante— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: No. 4, Andante con moto— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: No. 2, Andante sostenuto— Felix Mendelssohn
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6: No. 11, Einfach— Robert Schumann
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 1, Des Abends— Robert Schumann
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6: No. 14, Zart und singend— Robert Schumann
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6: No. 18, Nicht schnell— Robert Schumann
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 3, Warum?— Robert Schumann
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: No. 2, Andante sostenuto, MWV U170— Felix Mendelssohn
Etude in F Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40, MWV O 11: II. Adagio – Molto sostenuto— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 6— Felix Mendelssohn
Scherzo a capriccio in F-Sharp Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor, H. 25— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 11, J. 98: II. Adagio— Carl Maria von Weber
Sospiri, Op. 70 (Arr. E. Griffiths for violin and piano)— Edward Elgar
Nocturne No. 5 in B-Flat Major, H 37— John Field
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6: II. Innig— Robert Schumann
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 2— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49A: II. Larghetto— John Field
Keyboard Sonata in B-Flat Major, K.266/L.48/P.251: Andante— Domenico Scarlatti
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: Des Abends— Robert Schumann
7 Charakterstücke, Op. 7: No. 1, Sanft und mit Empfindung— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 32, J. 155: II. Adagio— Carl Maria von Weber
Romance, Op. 1— Edward Elgar
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6: V. Einfach— Robert Schumann
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 27: II. Air Ecossais “Within a mile of Edinburgh…— John Field
6 Irish Fantasies, Op. 54: No. 5, Hush Song. Larghetto— Charles Villiers Stanford
Violin Sonata in E Minor, Op. 82: II. Romance— Edward Elgar
Nocturne No. 10 in E Minor, H. 46B— John Field
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: Warum— Robert Schumann
Clarinet Sonata: II. Vivace— Arnold Bax
Rhapsody in F-Sharp Major— Ernest John Moeran
Piano Sonata No. 4 in B Major, H. 17A: I. Moderato— John Field
Konzertstück in F Minor, Op. 79, J. 282: Konzertstuck in F Minor, J. 282, Op. 79— Carl Maria von Weber
Nocturne No. 1, E flat— John Field
Nocturne No. 2, C minor— John Field
Nocturne No. 5, B flat— John Field
Keyboard Sonata in C major, K.461/L.8/P.324: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in F major, K.82/L.30/P.25— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in B Flat Major, K.266/L.48/P.251: Andante— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in G major, K.284/L.90/P.169: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, K.507/L.113/P.478: Andantino cantabile— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in D major, K.214/L.165/P.430: Allegro vivo— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.404/L.222/P.436: Andante— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in G major, K.124/L.232/P.110: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.536/L.236/P.540: Cantabile— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in G major, K.494/L.287/P.444: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in G minor, K.546/L.312/P.550: Cantabile— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.113/L.345/P.160: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in B minor, K.227/L.347/P.52: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in A major, K.26/L.368/P.82: Presto— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in C major, K.548/L.404/P.552: Allegretto— Domenico Scarlatti
Keyboard Sonata in C minor, K.37/L.406/P.2: Allegro— Domenico Scarlatti
Nocturne No. 10 in E minor— John Field
Nocturne No. 11 in E flat major— John Field
Nocturne No. 12 in G major— John Field
Nocturne No. 13 in D minor— John Field
Nocturne No. 14 in C major— John Field
I. Non troppo allegro, ma con fuoco e con espressione— John Field
II. Rondo: Allegretto scherzando— John Field
Nocturne No. 15 in C major— John Field
Nocturne No. 16 in F major— John Field
Nocturne No. 17 in E major— John Field
Nocturne No. 18 in E major, “Midi”— John Field
Nocturne No. 1 in E flat major— John Field
Nocturne No. 2 in C minor— John Field
Nocturne No. 3 in A flat major— John Field
Nocturne No. 4 in A major— John Field
Nocturne No. 5 in B flat major— John Field
I. Allegro moderato— John Field
II. Rondo: Allegro— John Field
Nocturne No. 6 in F major— John Field
Nocturne No. 7 in C major— John Field
Nocturne No. 8 in A major— John Field
I. Allegro vivace— John Field
II. Allegro vivace— John Field
Fantasia in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, MWV U92, “Sonate Eccossaise”: I. Con moto agitato: Andante— Felix Mendelssohn
Fantasia in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, MWV U92, “Sonate Eccossaise”: II. Allegro con moto— Felix Mendelssohn
Fantasia in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, MWV U92, “Sonate Eccossaise”: III. Presto— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 1. Sanft und mit Empfindung— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 2. Mit heftiger Bewegung— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 3. Kraftig und feurig— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 4. Schnell und beweglich— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 5. Fuga – Ernst und mit steigender lebhaftigkeit— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 6. Sehnsuchtig— Felix Mendelssohn
7 Charakterstucke, Op. 7: No. 7. Leicht und luftig— Felix Mendelssohn
Prelude— Felix Mendelssohn
Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, “Notre Temps”: Fugue— Felix Mendelssohn
Sonata Movement in B-Flat Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Capriccio in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 5— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 105, MWV U30: I. Allegro— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 105, MWV U30: II. Adagio— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 105, MWV U30: III. Presto— Felix Mendelssohn
Capriccio in E Major, Op. 118— Felix Mendelssohn
2 Musical Sketches, “2 Klavierstucke”: Andante cantabile in B-Flat Major— Felix Mendelssohn
2 Musical Sketches, “2 Klavierstucke”: Presto agitato in G Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Variations in B-Flat Major, Op. 83— Felix Mendelssohn
II. Scherzo: Allegro non troppo— Felix Mendelssohn
III. Andante quasi Alegretto – Allegro molto— Felix Mendelssohn
IV. Allegro moderato— Felix Mendelssohn
No. 1. Andante con moto – Allegro vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
No. 2. Scherzo: Presto— Felix Mendelssohn
No. 3. Andante— Felix Mendelssohn
Album-Leaf in E minor, Op. 117— Felix Mendelssohn
Variations in E flat major, Op. 82— Felix Mendelssohn
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Moderato— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Theme with Variations— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Variation 1— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Variation 2— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Variation 3— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Variation 4— Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for 2 Pianos: Allegretto— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Con moto— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Notturno— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Quattro variazioni: Variation 1— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Variation 2— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Variation 3— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Variation 4— Igor Stravinsky
Concerto for 2 Pianos: Preludio e Fuga— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I THE ADORATION OF THE EARTH: Introduction— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Auguries of Spring (Dances of the Young Girls)— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Ritual of Abduction— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Spring Rounds— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Games of the Rival Tribes— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Procession of the Wise Elder— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: The Sage— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part I: Dance of the Earth— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II THE SACRIFICE: Introduction— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II: Mystic Circles of the Young Girls— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II: Glorification of the Chosen One— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II: Evocation of the Ancestors— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II: Ritual Action of the Ancestors— Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps: Part II: Sacrificial Dance— Igor Stravinsky
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 1— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 1— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 2— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 3— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 3— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 4— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 4— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Prelude No. 5— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 5— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 35: Fugue No. 6— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Caprices, Op. 33: Caprice No. 1 in A Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Caprices, Op. 33: Caprice No. 2 in E Major— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Caprices, Op. 33: Caprice No. 3 in B-Flat Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Perpetuum Mobile in C Major, Op. 119— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Preludes, Op. 104a: Prelude in B-Flat Major— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Preludes, Op. 104a: Prelude in B Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Preludes, Op. 104a: Prelude in D Major— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Etudes, Op. 104b: Etude in B-Flat Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Etudes, Op. 104b: Etude in F Major— Felix Mendelssohn
3 Etudes, Op. 104b: Etude in A Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Variations serieuses in D Minor, Op. 54— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Allegro non troppo— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Andante sostenuto— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Allegretto— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Andante con moto— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Allegro assai— Felix Mendelssohn
6 Kinderstücke, Op. 72 “Christmas Pieces”: Vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
Gondellied in A Major— Felix Mendelssohn
Scherzo in B Minor— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E Major, Op. 6, MWV U 54: Allegretto con espressione— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E Major, Op. 6, MWV U 54: Tempo di Menuetto— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E Major, Op. 6, MWV U 54: Recitativo: Adagio e senza tempo— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E Major, Op. 6, MWV U 54: Molto allegro e vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 27: I. Allegro— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 27: III. Finale. Allegro vivace— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-Flat Major, H. 32: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-Flat Major, H. 32: III. Rondo. Tempo di polacca— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31: II. Poco adagio— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31: III. Rondo. Moderato innocente— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 4 in E-Flat Major, H. 28: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 4 in E-Flat Major, H. 28: II. Siciliano. Poco adagio— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 4 in E-Flat Major, H. 28: III. Rondo. Allegretto— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39 “L’incendie par l’orage”: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39 “L’incendie par l’orage”: II. Adagio— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39 “L’incendie par l’orage”: III. Rondo. Allegro— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49A: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49A: III. Rondo. Moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 7 in C Minor, H. 58a: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 7 in C Minor, H. 58a: II. Rondo. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31: I. Allegro moderato (Arr. H. Priegnitz as Irish…— Hans Priegnitz
Piano Sonata No. 4 in B Major, H. 17A: II. Rondo. Moderato— John Field
Nocturne No. 1 in E-Flat Major, H. 24— John Field
Nocturne No. 3 in A-Flat Major, H. 26— John Field
Nocturne No. 4 in A Major, H. 36— John Field
Nocturne No. 5 in B-Flat Major, H. 37A— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 1 No. 1, H. 8A: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 1 No. 1, H. 8A: II. Rondo. Allegro— John Field
Nocturne No. 6 in F Major, H. 40A— John Field
Nocturne No. 7 in C Major, H. 45A— John Field
Nocturne No. 8 in A Major, H. 14E— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 1 No. 2, H. 8A: I. Allegro vivace— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 1 No. 2, H. 8A: II. Allegro vivace— John Field
Nocturne No. 11 in E-Flat Major, H. 56A— John Field
Nocturne No. 12 in G Major, H. 58D— John Field
Nocturne No. 13 in D Minor, H. 59A— John Field
Nocturne No. 14 in C Major, H. 60A— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 3, H. 8A: I. Non troppo allegro, ma con fuoco e con…— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 3, H. 8A: II. Rondo. Allegretto scherzando— John Field
Nocturne No. 15 in C Major, H. 61A— John Field
Nocturne No. 16 in F Major, H. 62— John Field
Nocturne No. 17 in E Major, H. 54A— John Field
Nocturne No. 18 in E Major, H. 13R “Le midi”— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 7 in C Minor, H. 58: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 7 in C Minor, H. 58: II. Rondo: Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Sonata No. 4 in B Major, H. 17a: II. Rondo: Moderato— John Field
Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 126: I. Allegro moderato— Composer not established
Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 126: II. Adagio molto, Piu mosso— Composer not established
Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 126: III. Allegro molto— Composer not established
3 Dante Rhapsodies, Op. 92: I. Francesca— Composer not established
3 Dante Rhapsodies, Op. 92: II. Beatrice— Composer not established
3 Dante Rhapsodies, Op. 92: III. Capaneo— Composer not established
Six Characteristic Pieces, Op. 132: II. Study— Composer not established
Six Characteristic Pieces, Op. 132: IV. Roundel— Composer not established
Five Caprices, Op. 136: V. Tempo di Valse— Composer not established
Piano Concerto: I. Allegro non troppo— Michael Tippett
Piano Concerto: II. Molto lente e tranquillo— Michael Tippett
Piano Concerto: III. Vivace— Michael Tippett
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39, “L’incendie par l’orage”: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39, “L’incendie par l’orage”: II. Adagio— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C Major, H. 39, “L’incendie par l’orage”: III. Rondo allegro— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49: I. Allegro moderato— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49: II. Larghetto— John Field
Piano Concerto No. 6 in C Major, H. 49: III. Rondo moderato— John Field
II. Poco adagio— John Field
III. Moderato innocente— John Field
II. Siciliano: Poco adagio— John Field
III. Rondo: Allegretto— John Field
Concerto for 2 Pianos in A-Flat Major, MWV O6: I. Allegro vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
Concerto for 2 Pianos in A-Flat Major, MWV O6: II. Andante— Felix Mendelssohn
Concerto for 2 Pianos in A-Flat Major, MWV O6: III. Allegro vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
Concerto for 2 Pianos in E Major, MWV O5: I. Allegro vivace— Felix Mendelssohn
Concerto for 2 Pianos in E Major, MWV O5: II. Adagio non troppo— Felix Mendelssohn
Concerto for 2 Pianos in E Major, MWV O5: III. Allegro— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40, MWV O 11: I. Allegro appassionato— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40, MWV O 11: III. Finale. Presto scherzando— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40: I. Allegro appassionato— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40: II. Adagio – Molto sostenuto— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40: III. Finale: Presto scherzando— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 11, J. 98: I. Allegro— Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 11, J. 98: III. Presto— Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 32, J. 155: I. Allegro maestoso— Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 32, J. 155: III. Rondo: Presto— Carl Maria von Weber
Polacca brillante in E Major, J. 268, Op. 72, “L’hilarite” (orch. Liszt)— Carl Maria von Weber
Konzertstuck in F Minor, J. 282, Op. 79— Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25: I. Molto allegro con fuoco— Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25: III. Presto— Felix Mendelssohn
Capriccio brillant in B Minor, Op. 22— Felix Mendelssohn
Rondo brillant in E-Flat Major, Op. 29— Felix Mendelssohn