Philipp Scharwenka: Piano Music, Volume Two
As composer, pianist and educationalist, the Prussian Philipp Scharwenka (1847–1917) was one of most highly respected musicians of his day, although his star faded soon after his death. His music – more conservative and classical in orientation than that of his pianistcomposer brother, Xaver – sits somewhere between Chopin and Brahms, with echoes of Schubert and Schumann. This second instalment of a survey of his piano music is intended to put these immediately attractive works before the public once again – for the first time in over a century.
Luís Pipa, piano
Listen To This Recording:
Humoreske und Mazurka, Op. 13 (publ. 1875) (12:31)
- I. Humoreske (4:39)
- II. Mazurka (7:52)
2 Notturnos, Op. 16 (publ. 1876) (15:12)
- No. 1, Andante con moto (7:00)
- No. 2, Andantino moderato (8:12)
3 Humoresken, Op. 31 (publ. 1879) (22:06)
- No. 1, Con fuoco (7:07)
- No. 2, Vivace (5:21)
- No. 3, Allegro con spirito (9:38)
4 Bagatellen, Op. 39 (publ. 1881) (12:45)
- No. 1, Promenade (4:02)
- No. 2, Air de danse (2:50)
- No. 3, Chant sans paroles (3:52)
- No. 4, Tarentelle (2:01)
2 Rhapsodien, Op. 85 (publ. 1891) (13:04)
- No. 1, Con moto (7:27)
- No. 2, Allegro molto (5:37)
First Recordings
Fanfare :
‘Luís Pipa is a fine advocate for Scharwenka, with the gift for musical characterization so important in these pieces. Sound is fine and William Melton’s extensive notes are highly informative.’
—Michael Vaillancourt, Fanfare