Xaver Scharwenka

Xaver Scharwenka was born in Samter (Posen), Prussia, January 6, 1850.

After study with Kullak and Wurst at Kullak’s Academy, Berlin, he became a teacher in that institution in 1868.

In 1874 he began a series of tours, in the course of which he visited America.

He established the Scharwenka Conservatory in Berlin in 1881 and was its director until 1891, when he founded a similar conservatory in New York.

In 1898 he returned to Berlin to assume the directorship of the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory, formed by consolidation with the school of Karl Klindworth.

Among his compositions are a symphony, three pianoforte concertos, several Polish dances, suites, etudes, and songs.