Philipp Scharwenka - Piano Quintet, Op. 118 (1910)

Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka (16 February 1847, Samter, Grand Duchy of Posen - 16 July 1917, Bad Nauheim) was a German composer and teacher of music. He was the older brother of Xaver Scharwenka.
Piano Quintet in B minor, Op. 118 (1910)
Dedicated to Max Reger
I. Allegro non tanto, ma energico (0:00)
II. Adagio con intimo sentimento (8:35)
III. Moderato (18:28)
IV. Finale. L'istesso Tempo (20:35)
Thomas Duis, piano and the Mannheimer String Quartet
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 became very famous), the 4-act opera 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, Anton Seidl 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.
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 and Moritz Meyer-Mahr.
One of his admirers was Max Reger, 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.

[@TheodoreServin]

This piece really deserves this awesome score video! It's heavenly, especially the slow movement!

[@bartjebartmans]

Thanks for pointing this work out to me, a great find!

[@gabriele4662]

What a lovely quintet!

[@thejils1669]

What a surprise! "Brahmsian" in nature composition. Very nice!

[@chetgallowayoreck7366]

Я это пьес нашёл три года назад, когда в школе был - какие хорошие воспомнимания. Огромное спасибо вам, что издали музыку малоизвестного но очень талантлого композитора.

[@richardyu3591]

thanks for this upload - i believe this is the first full unbroken version on youtube - especially with the score

[@TheMaestro2005]

What a great chamber piece! So interactive. Great recording also. I hate when the piano is too over powering, this was well balanced.

[@NanaKwame96]

What timing! I have been looking for some Piano quintets because of the rarity of them. Already was blown away literally from the opening. Very glad I found this and bravo to the performer and of course the uploader for revealing this treasure!

[@NanaKwame96]

And a small clarification, I know piano quintets are not super rare but it is not so often I hear these types of works.

[@andrewtrovato1828]

@@NanaKwame96 have you hear taneyev piano quintet? Sooo good

[@jrb5077]

@@NanaKwame96 A smallish repertoire, but a disproportionate number of masterpieces.

[@fransmeersman2334]

An unbelievable beautiful piano quartet ! Thank you once again for this wonderful chamber music.

[@robertcohn8858]

A delightful piece, just right for a Sunday afternoon chamber music interlude. Thank you for this gem.

[@f1f1s]

Philipp Scharwenka is such an inventive and melodical composer. His music is full of hidden gems and suddenly captivating wide harmonies. This piece was definitely written under the influence of Schubert and Mendelssohn. Scharwenka is the German Arensky-change my mind.

[@andrewtrovato1828]

Yes Gem after gem! I had only until recently listened to Scharwenka's piano concertos, and have been happily surprised by all of his chamber works. These along with all of the other recent chamber works this channel has been putting out have thoroughly invigorated me :) Such a relief and breath of fresh air from the standard rep

[@Manu_Forti]

@@andrewtrovato1828 I agree!

[@granthicks2030]

@@andrewtrovato1828 You're confusing Philipp Scharwenka with his younger brother Xaver. It was Xaver who wrote the piano concertos.

[@Manu_Forti]

What a splendid piece! Thank you, Bartje! I appreciate the pieces you upload and the time you undoubtedly put into it :)

[@simonjulien3767]

this is so incredibly beautiful🥺

[@camillebouchard6436]

Très beau !

[@tailleferrestan]

Loving the viola solos!

[@theMMAdhatter]

If you haven't already, you should check out Scharwenka's viola sonata!

[@jrlepage2a03]

You might also enjoy Scharwenka's Piano Trio Op. 121, which is unusually scored for violin and viola (rather than cello). The man sure knew how to write good viola parts.

[@irekmichal2005]

Great piece!! Thanx for sharing!

[@joeboyle5864]

Love it !! Thanks !

[@BenSadounJeremie]

Beautiful !

[@yuehchopin]

Gute Sendung

[@kuang-licheng402]

rare piece

[@nonamed135]

5:03