Album insights
The gradual resurgence of interest in Romantic composers previously overlooked is one of the most exciting developments in the music world over the past 25 years. This revival of Romanticism has gained momentum and is increasingly influential today. In the 19th century, the era of great piano virtuosos saw a shift towards valuing original creative ability over mere virtuosic displays.
Xaver Scharwenka, at the age of 15, joined Theodor Kullak’s New Academy of Music in Berlin in 1865. Through rigorous musical training and his own natural talent, Scharwenka paved the way for success as both a pianist and composer. Starting his career as a traveling virtuoso in 1874, Scharwenka later devoted himself to teaching, establishing his own conservatory in Berlin in 1881, followed by another bearing his name in New York in 1891.
The outbreak of World War I in 1914 led Scharwenka to retire from nearly 40 years of international concert tours. His musical compositions, especially the Polish Dances, achieved widespread popularity and were met with critical acclaim. Scharwenka's legacy as a renowned pianist and composer endured, with his works continuing to be celebrated posthumously.
Published by the renowned Breitkopf & Härtel in 1869, Scharwenka's compositions, notably the Polish Dances, Op. 3, garnered immense success. Throughout his career, he returned to the dance form, much like Chopin's devotion to the Mazurka. His compositions, such as the Sonatine in E minor, Op. 52, No. 1, were considered valuable pieces for pianists of medium abilities.
Scharwenka's Romanzero, Op. 33, dedicated to Brahms in 1877, exemplifies his penchant for dance forms and features four distinct movements. By composing significant works like the Piano Sonata No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 36, in 1878, Scharwenka solidified his reputation as a prominent composer, showcasing exceptional melodic quality and adept piano writing characteristic of the leading musicians of his time.