Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka (16 February 1847, in Szamotuły amter

Grand Duchy of Posen The Grand Duchy of Posen (german: Großherzogtum Posen; pl, Wielkie Księstwo Poznańskie) was part of the Kingdom of Prussia, created from territories annexed by Prussia after the Partitions of Poland, and formally established following the ...

– 16 July 1917, in

Bad Nauheim Bad Nauheim is a town in the Wetteraukreis district of Hesse state of Germany. As of 2020, Bad Nauheim has a population of 32,493. The town is approximately north of Frankfurt am Main, on the east edge of the Taunus mountain range. It is a wor ...

) was a German-Polish

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

and teacher of music. He was the older brother of

Xaver Scharwenka Theophil Franz Xaver Scharwenka (6 January 1850 – 8 December 1924) was a German pianist, composer and teacher of Polish descent. He was the brother of Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka (1847–1917), who was also a composer and teacher of music. Life ...

Early training

Scharwenka was born in Szamotuły (Samter),

. Like his younger brother Xaver he received his first intermittent musical instruction in Posen (today Poznań). After the closure of the Gymnasium (college) in 1865 he studied music theory together with his brother under

Richard Wüerst Richard Wüerst (22 February 1824 – 9 October 1881) was a German composer, music professor and pedagogue. Wüerst was born and died in Berlin. He was a pupil of Carl Friedrich Rungenhagen at the Prussian Academy of Arts and a pupil of Felix Men ...

and

Heinrich Dorn Heinrich Ludwig Egmont Dorn (14 November 1800 or 1804-10 January 1892) was a German conductor, composer, teacher, and journalist. He was born in Königsberg, where he studied piano, singing, and composition. Later, he studied in Berlin with Ludw ...

at the new Musical Academy in

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...

where, from 1868, he himself was taken on as teacher of Theory and Composition. In this period his own first compositions appeared. In 1874 he brought out an overture and a symphony for the first time in a concert of his own.

Compositions

His many teaching obligations notwithstanding, Philipp Scharwenka stood in the front line as a composer and was recognised as such during his lifetime. His compositions include three Symphonies, Symphonic Poems, a Violin concerto, some Choral works (of which ''

Sakuntala Shakuntala (Sanskrit: ''Śakuntalā'') is the wife of Dushyanta and the mother of Bharata (Mahabharata), Emperor Bharata. Her story is told in the ''Adi Parva'' of the ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata'' and dramatized by many writers, the mos ...

'' became very famous), the 4-act

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

''Roland'', as well as numerous instrumental works such as Sonatas, Quartets, Caprices and Dances. Many of the major conductors of the period, including

Arthur Nikisch Arthur Nikisch (12 October 185523 January 1922) was a Hungarian conductor who performed internationally, holding posts in Boston, London, Leipzig and—most importantly—Berlin. He was considered an outstanding interpreter of the music of Br ...

Anton Seidl Anton Seidl (7 May 185028 March 1898) was a famous Hungarian Wagner conductor, best known for his association with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the New York Philharmonic. Biography He was born in Pest, Austria-Hungary, where he ...

and Hans Richter, performed his orchestral works. He is still known for his chamber works, including two piano trios, two trios for violin, viola, and piano, two violin sonatas, one viola sonata, one cello sonata, two string quartets, and one piano quintet.op. 118 in B minor - In contrast to his brother's very extroverted compositions, Philipp's many-sided works have dreamlike and thoroughly moody inflections. His best-liked works are the chamber works beginning in 1896, which maintain traditional formal models and show considerable variety of melodic and rhythmical invention. In them Scharwenka achieved (despite the conservative restraints of the time in which he was writing) through very refined compositional techniques, something approaching an impressionistic tonal palette. These works found such distinguished interpreters as Willy Burmester,

Julius Klengel Julius Klengel (24 September 1859 – 27 October 1933) was a German cellist who is most famous for his études and solo pieces written for the instrument. He was the brother of Paul Klengel. A member of the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig at f ...

and Moritz Meyer-Mahr. One of his admirers was

Max Reger Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger (19 March 187311 May 1916) was a German composer, pianist, organist, conductor, and academic teacher. He worked as a concert pianist, as a musical director at the Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, Leipzig University ...

, who in 1898 dedicated his ''Phantasiestücke'' op. 26 to him. In the context of the 37th Composer-Congress in 1900, his ''Dramatic Fantasy for Orchestra'' op 108, being crowned with a prize by the National German Music-Society, was performed in

Bremen Bremen (Low German also: ''Breem'' or ''Bräm''), officially the City Municipality of Bremen (german: Stadtgemeinde Bremen, ), is the capital of the German state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (''Freie Hansestadt Bremen''), a two-city-state consis ...

Conservatory director

At the opening of the Scharwenka-Conservatory in Berlin, his brother Xaver entrusted to him in 1881 the direction of the Theory and Composition teaching, and then in 1891 that of the sister-conservatory in New York. Philipp however returned to Berlin in 1892 to take control of the Conservatory there, which in 1893 he merged with the Piano School of

Karl Klindworth Karl Klindworth (25 September 183027 July 1916) was a German composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, violinist and music publisher. He was one of Franz Liszt's pupils and later one of his closest disciples and friends, being also on friendly terms ...

to form the

Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory The Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory (german: Klindworth-Scharwenka-Konservatorium) was a music institute in Berlin, established in 1893, which for decades (until 1960) was one of the most internationally renowned schools of music. It was formed f ...

. This went on to become an outstanding institution in the musical landscape of Berlin. As Director of the Conservatory, Scharwenka remained active until his death in 1917.

Otto Klemperer Otto Nossan Klemperer (14 May 18856 July 1973) was a 20th-century conductor and composer, originally based in Germany, and then the US, Hungary and finally Britain. His early career was in opera houses, but he was later better known as a concer ...

studied with him in Berlin, and

Oskar Fried Oskar Fried (1 August 1871 – 5 July 1941) was a German conductor and composer. He was known as a great admirer of Gustav Mahler, whose works he performed many times throughout his life. Fried was also the first conductor to record a Mahler symp ...

was another very distinguished pupil of his.

Other

In 1880 Philipp married violin virtuoso

Marianne Scharwenka Marianne Scharwenka (née Stresow, February 25, 1856 – October 24, 1918, Berlin) was a German violinist and composer. She was married to the German composer Philipp Scharwenka. External links Marianne Scharwenka's Autograph Collection – 19t ...

(Marianne Stresow, d. 1918). In 1937 his son Walter Scharwenka took over as director at the Conservatory. Also Scharwenka possessed a remarkable talent as graphic illustrator, which is seen, for instance, in the drastic-humorous Figures for

Alexander Moszkowski Alexander Moszkowski (15 January 1851 – 26 September 1934) was a German satirist, writer and philosopher of History of the Jews in Poland, Polish-Jewish descent. He was the brother of the Musical composition, composer and pianist Moritz Moszkows ...

's satire, ''Anton Notenquetscher''.

Works

Symphonies

* Symphony No. 1, ''Herbstfeier'', for Soli, Choir and Orchestra on a text by Friedrich Timpe, Op. 44 * Symphony No. 2 in D minor, Op. 96 * Symphony No. 3, ''Sinfonia Brevis'' in E flat major, Op. 115

Orchestral

* Serenade for Orchestra, Op. 19 * Two Polish Folk Dances for Orchestra, Op. 20 * ''Wald- & Berggeister'' (Forest and Mountain Sprites), Intermezzo for Orchestra, Op. 37 * ''Liebesnacht'' (Love Night), Fantasiestück for Orchestra, Op. 40 * ''Fest-Ouvertüre'' (Festive Overture) for Orchestra, Op. 43 * ''Arkadische Suite'' (Arcadian Suite) in B flat major for Orchestra, Op. 76 * ''Frühlingswogen'' (Spring Waves) for Orchestra, Op. 87 * ''Traum & Wirklichkeit'' (Dream and Reality) for Orchestra, Op. 92 * ''Dramatische Phantasie'' (Dramatic Fantasy) for Orchestra, Op. 108

Concertos

* Violin Concerto in G major, Op. 95

Chamber music

* ''Romanze und Scherzo'' for Violin and Piano, Op. 10 * ''3 Konzertstücke'' for Violin and Piano, Op. 17 * Cavatine for Cello and Piano, Op. 22 * Piano Trio No. 1 in F minor, Op. 26 * ''Arie'' for Violin and Piano, Op. 51 * ''Barcarolle und Polonaise'' for Violin and Piano, Op. 52 * 4 Stücke for Violin & Piano, Op. 53 * ''Elegy and Caprice Slave'' for Cello & Piano, Op. 98 * Suite for Violin and Piano, Op. 99 * Piano Trio No. 2 in C sharp minor, Op. 100 * 4 Konzertstücke for Violin & Piano, Op. 104 * Piano Trio No. 3 in A major, Op. 105 * Viola Sonata in G minor, Op. 106 * Violin Sonata No.1 in B minor, Op. 110 * Piano Trio No. 4 in G major, Op. 112 * Violin Sonata No.2 in E minor, Op. 114 * Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 116 * String Quartet No.1 in D minor, Op. 117 * Piano Quintet in B minor, Op. 118 * String Quartet No.2 in D major, Op. 120 * Piano Trio No. 5 in E minor, Op.121

Voice

* ''Sakuntala'' for choir and orchestra on a text by Carl Wittkowsky, WoO (1884) * 5 Songs, Op. 28 * ''Dörpertanzweise'' for Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass, and Piano, Op. 35 * ''Die Lindenwirthin'', Songs for Voice & Piano, Op. 62a * 3 Lieder for Voice & Piano, Op. 62b * 3 Lieder for Voice & Piano, Op. 88 * ''Abendfeier in Venedig'', Op. 89 * 3 Gesänge for Choir a capella, Op. 90 * 3 Gesänge, Op. 102a * 2 Gesänge, Op. 102b * 4 Songs on Russian Texts, Op. 111 * ''An den König'' for Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass, and Organ, Op. 113 * 3 Gesänge for Three-Part Female Choir and Piano, Op. 119

Piano

* Polish Dance for Piano, Op. 3 * ''Capriccietto'' for Piano, D minor, Op. 4 * 3 Scènes de Dance for Piano, Op. 5 * ''Scènes de Dance'' for Piano, Op. 6 * ''Phantasiestück'' for Piano, Op. 11 * Introduction & Polonaise pathétique for Piano, Op. 12 * Humoreske und Mazurka for piano, Op. 13 * 2 Nocturnes for Piano, Op. 16 * ''Miscellen'', 6 Piano Pieces, Op. 18 * ''Tanz-Suite'' for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 21 * ''Hochzeitsmusik'' (Wedding Music) for Piano 4 hands, Op. 23 * ''Menuett & Perpetuum Mobile'' for Violin & Piano, Op. 24 * ''Capriccio'' (No.1) for Piano, Op. 25 * ''5 Fantasiestücke'' for Piano, Op. 26b? * ''Albumblätter'', 5 kleine Stücke for Piano, Op. 27 * 3 Mazurkas for Piano, Op. 29 * 2 Pieces for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 30 * 3 Humoresken for Piano, Op. 31 * ''In Bunter Reihe'', 6 Pieces for Piano, Op. 32 * ''Album polonais'' for Piano, Op. 33 * ''Aus der Jugendzeit'', 10 easy Piano Pieces, Op. 34 * ''Bergfahrt'', 12 Klavierstücke, Op. 36 * ''Polnische Tanzweisen'', Op. 38 * 4 Bagatelles for Piano, Op. 39 * 5 Piano Pieces, Op. 41 * 3 Pieces for Piano Four-Hands, Op. 42 * ''Festklänge für die Jugend'', 8 Piano Pieces, Op. 45 * ''4 Moments Musicaux'' for Piano, Op. 46 * ''Capriccio'' (No.2) for Piano, Op. 47 * 5 Intermezzi for Piano, Op. 48 * 5 Improvisations for Piano, Op. 49 * Scherzo in B flat minor for Piano, Op. 50 * ''Lieder und Tanzweisen'' for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 54 * Divertimenti, 10 Piano Pieces, Op. 55 * ''3 Pieces for Piano 4-hands'', Op. 56 * ''Stimmungsbilder, 6 Pieces for Piano 4-hands'', Op. 57 * ''Zum Vortrag, 9 Leichte & Mittelschwere Klavierstücke'', Op. 58 * ''Herbstbilder'', 6 Klavierstücke for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 59 * ''6 Seestücke nach Texten von

Heinrich Heine Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (; born Harry Heine; 13 December 1797 – 17 February 1856) was a German poet, writer and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of '' Lied ...

'' for Piano, Op. 60 * Piano Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 61a * Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 61b * Piano Sonata No. 3 in G minor, Op. 61c * ''Lose Blätter'', 5 Klavierstücke, Op. 63 * ''Kinderspiele I'', 8 easy Piano Pieces, Op. 64 * ''5 Romantische Episoden'' for Piano, Op. 65 * ''3 Tanz-Kaprizen'' for Piano, Op. 66 * ''6 Klavierstücke'', Op. 67 * ''Kinderspiele II, 8 Leichte Stücke'' for piano, Op. 68 * ''6 Tonbilder in Kleinem Rahmen'' for Piano Op. 69 * ''2 Ländler'' for Piano Op. 70a * ''3 Tänze: Menuett, Mazurka, & Waltz'' for Piano, Op. 70b * ''Für die Jugend'' for Piano, Op. 71 * ''Aus Vergangenen Tagen'', 5 Phantasiestücke for Piano, Op. 72 * 5 Impromptus for Piano, Op. 73 * ''2 Elegische Gesänge'' for Piano, Op. 74 * ''5 Tanzscenen'' for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 75 * ''4 Klavierstücke'', Op. 77 * ''Suite de Danses caractéristiques'' for Piano, Op. 78 * ''8 Vortragsstücke'' for Piano, Op. 79 * ''6 Vortragsstücke in leichter Spielart'' for Piano, Op. 80 * 7 Piano Pieces, Op. 81 * ''Lyrische Episoden'', 6 Piano Pieces, Op. 82 * 5 Klavierstücke, Op. 83 * ''Skizzen'', 5 Piano Pieces, Op. 84 * 2 Rhapsodieen for Piano, Op. 85 * 2 Tanz-Impromptus for Piano, Op. 86 * 3 Scherzi for Piano Duet, Op. 91 * 4 Mazurkas for Piano, Op. 93 * ''Ballade'' for Piano, Op. 94a * ''Nachtstück'' for Piano, Op. 94b * 4 Klavierstücke, Op. 97 * 5 Klavierstücke, Op. 101 * ''Tanz-Novelle'', 5 Tanzpoëme for Piano 4-Hands, Op. 103 * ''Abendstimmungen'', 6 Piano Pieces, Op. 107 * ''Heimat'', 5 Phantasietänze in polnischer Art for Piano 4-hands, Op. 109

Notes

External links

*Image of Philipp Scharwenka on German Wikipedia, :de:Philipp Scharwenka
Philipp Scharwenka String Quartet No.1, Op.117, Violin Sonata, Op.110 soundbites, discussion of work & short biography
*
Philipp Scharwenka - German Composer on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
at www.flickr.com Philipp Scharwenka's signature, illustration and note to wife, Marianne Scharwenka
Scores by Philipp Scharwenka
in digital library

Polona Polona is a Polish digital library, which provides digitized books, magazines, graphics, maps, music, fliers and manuscripts from collections of the National Library of Poland and co-operating institutions. It began its operation in 2006. Colle ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scharwenka, Philipp 1847 births 1917 deaths 19th-century classical composers 19th-century classical pianists 19th-century German composers 19th-century German male musicians 20th-century classical composers 20th-century classical pianists 20th-century German composers 20th-century German male musicians German classical pianists German male classical composers German music educators German opera composers German Romantic composers Male classical pianists Male opera composers People from Szamotuły People from the Grand Duchy of Posen Piano pedagogues Polish classical pianists Polish male classical composers Polish music educators Polish opera composers Polish Romantic composers