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