John Field nocturnes..is it ok if improvise?

[mjames]

Okay, so lately I've been checking Field's nocturnes and I actually like them, and I'm thinking about learning a few. Okay, now the problem is, what I noticed from Field is that his melodic lines have a lot of "spaces" in between if you know what I mean. Well do you? I feel like, for example, Chopin's nocturnes are often "filled" where you wouldn't have any space to improvise a little bit whereas with Field there are so many open "spaces" that I feel like the scores telling me to play around with the melodies a bit. That's kind of the vibe I'm getting from Field. Is it okay if I do this?...




....Better yet does anyone understand what I'm saying or do i just sound like a rambling idiot?

[j_menz]

Of course it's OK.

Just don't get caught. 

[mjames]

Considering Field's really small fan base I doubt I'd get chastised. Whereas with Chopin I got an earful from some random teacher who I dont even *** know for adding a few ornaments in Chopin's op. 55 no. 1. Like what's the big deal??? Even Jorge Bolet did it.

[themeandvariation]

Field supposedly looked upon Chopin's music as done by a 'sick room' talent… He thought his own music more direct, and natural……  (not so ornamented) ….  However, there is the story, while he was in Moscow…  (and enjoying his 'irrepressible' fondness for strong drink, and giving piano lessons lying in bed in an adjoining chamber, often fell asleep during the lesson…. ) of being visited by Hummel, pretending to be a merchant and music enthusiast….coming from a long distance to meet the celebrated composer…  Field seated himself at the piano, and played several of his compositions… Then, in a very patronizing way, he asked the invited caller to perform, whereupon the latter made use of Field's own themes in such a "skillful , quaint, and characteristic manner,  that his identity became transparent… Field could no longer be deceived, and he stood transfixed with astonishment…Dropping his pipe from his mouth, and drying his tears, he seized  Hummel and exclaimed "You are Hummel ..You are Hummel!…There is nobody in this whole world but Hummel who  is capable of such inspiration"  … and it was with no little difficulty that Hummel released himself from the powerful grasp of his admirer…."…  
So, i would say that you would have the possibility of Field's approval… should you want it.
(I suspect that with this simple question you pose, a torrent may be coming…   )  

[outin]

Okay, so lately I've been checking Field's nocturnes and I actually like them, and I'm thinking about learning a few. Okay, now the problem is, what I noticed from Field is that his melodic lines have a lot of "spaces" in between if you know what I mean. Well do you? I feel like, for example, Chopin's nocturnes are often "filled" where you wouldn't have any space to improvise a little bit whereas with Field there are so many open "spaces" that I feel like the scores telling me to play around with the melodies a bit. That's kind of the vibe I'm getting from Field. Is it okay if I do this?...

Who's stopping you?

I think the Fields Nocturnes kind of belong to his era and sound SO much better on period instruments (you'll probably know what I mean if you hear them performed on a forte piano). On the modern piano with such efficient dampers and even tone they may seem to be lacking in expression, especially when compared to most romantic era music, so often full of "stuff". So I see what you mean, although I personally am a big fan of simplicity and very much enjoy these Nocturnes the way they are. 

[themeandvariation]

"None have quite attained to these vague eolian harmonies, these half-formed sighs floating through the air, softly lamenting and dissolved in delicious melancholy. Nobody has even attempted this peculiar style, and especially none of those who heard Field play himself, or rather who heard him dream his music in moments when he entirely abandoned himself to his inspiration."
– Franz Liszt's preface to his edition of Field's nocturnes