Scharwenka

[akonow]

So I was lucky enough to stumble upon the music of Xaver Scharwenka recently and I discovered that there isn't a single piece by him that I don't like. So if anyone has any suggestions for some easier introductory Scharwenka I would be much obliged. Thanks.

[thalbergmad]

I have no great knowledge of his solo works, but the various sets of Polish dances should be a good into to his works.

Not too demanding on the fingers.

Thal

[akonow]

Thanks, thalberg. Are the Op. 3 dances about ABRSM Grade 8? I was thinking of some of the more lively ones like No. 1, 3, and 4. I'm not a good judge of difficulty but if you are the scores are on imslp.org and if anyone could just glance at them and get back to me I'd be eternally grateful. I'll even let you keep the scores.

[tompilk]

i remember being in exactly the same position as you. i just bought seta tanyel's complete set. but i never learnt to play any. i was on a discovery-rampage of new composers so quickly left the music and haven't listened for a while. coming back to it, it doesn't jump at me as music i'd want to spend lots of time on. although the piano concerto no. 1 & 2 are amazing, a hard-copy of the sheets is impossible to find. Not that i'd be able to play them anyway!
answering your question, i'd assume that they are above grade 8 level. although i find that if i'm completely obsessed with a piece, you can always play something a little above your skill level.

[thalbergmad]

I am probably not the greatest judge as my sight reading is pretty arse. I think anyone of grade 8 should be able to cope with most of them.

op3 no3 looks harder than it possibly is. The right hand octaves do lie nicely under the hand.

There is nothing wrong with playing something above your level, as how else does one develop??

Thal

[general disarray]

I love Scharwenka.  The Opus 3 Polish Dances are very pianistic.  Excellent music of intermediate difficulty.  The Opus 58 Polish Dances are terrific, too.

My special favorite, however, is  the Op. 48 Theme and Variations, and one of the composer's favorite works.  Right up there Mendelssohn "Variations seriueses."  About 8.5 level.

Scharwenka was an enormously popular composer and pianist in his time.  Also, a famous teacher who established very successful conservatories both in Europe and NYC.

I think his work is unfairly overlooked, especially the concerti and chamber works.  His Fourth Concerto is a dazzling bit of music that you'll never forget once you've heard it. 

Go for it!  Scharwenka lives!  And rules!   

[edvond]

Years ago I knew a pianist who studied with Schwarenka and loved his music.  She had performed a lot of it--including the Concertos--in Germany and Poland before WW2.  At the time not much was available to read through but now there is a lot.   Thanks for the recommendation for the 4th Concerto.  The score looks intriguing.

You can read through many of his compositions on the IMSLP and decide what you would like to tackle.

Here is a link the Scharwenka's scores on IMSLP

https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Scharwenka%2C_Xaver

Ed