A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Scharwenka, Xaver
SCHARWENKA, Xaver, was also born at Samter, Jan. 6, 1840 [App. p.781 "1850"]; and like his brother was at Kullak's Academy at Berlin, where he was known, while still a pupil, for his PF. playing and his compositions. He made his first appearance in public at Berlin, in 1869, and remained for some time in the Academy as a teacher, until compelled to leave it for his military duties in 1873. After this he began to travel, and was soon renowned as a fine and brilliant player, and a 'young composer of remarkable endowments.' In 1877 he produced his first Concerto for the PF. (in B♭ minor, op. 32), playing it to the meeting of German musicians at Hanover in May; it was played in England for the first time by Mr. Dannreuther at the Crystal Palace (both place and player well-known in this country for their chivalrous welcome of new works) Oct. 27, 1877. In 1878, Feb. 14, Scharwenka himself played it at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig. In 1879 he made his first appearance in England, played the same work at the Crystal Palace, March 1, and played at the Musical Union, April 29. In 1880 he returned and played at the Philharmonic Feb. 19, and elsewhere. In 1881 he made a third visit and played his second Concerto (in C minor, op. 56, which he had produced at the Gesellschafts concert at Vienna Dec. 12, 1880)—at the Philharmonic, Feb. 24. His stay was shortened by his recall to Germany for his military duties (a cruel anomaly for an artist!), but he found time to appear several times, and deepened the favourable impression which he had previously made.
Scharwenka's published works number 52. Opus 1 is a Trio in F♯ minor for PF., violin and cello, and op. 2 a Sonata for PF. and violin, in D minor. He has published a second PF. trio (in A minor, op. 45), a quartet for PF. and strings (in F, op. 37), a sonata for PF. and cello (E minor, op. 46); 7 original PF. duets; 2 sonatas (in C♯ minor and E♭, op. 6 and 36), 2 scherzos, and a large mass of studies, dances, romances, and other pieces all for PF. solo. The first PF. concerto is op. 32; the second is not yet printed. [App. p.781 "a Symphony in c minor, op. 60."]