The first compositions that were to bring Chopin outright success were the Nocturnes and Waltzes. Whilst the latter’s foot-tapping appeal is understandably direct in terms of salon audiences, the Nocturnes pursue a more varied course. The title of these ‘night pieces’ was adopted from the works of the Irish composer-pianist John Field (1782–1837). Whilst the Nocturnes of Chopin leave those of the Irishman far behind, the famous E flat Nocturne of Chopin’s Opus 9 is almost embarrassingly similar to one by Field in the same key. The Nocturnes are here recorded in chronological order of composition.