Phillip Scharwenka - Duo for Violin & Viola, Op. 105 (1898)

L. P. 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.

 

 Duo for Violin & Viola, Op. 105 (1898)

Dedication: Harmann Ritter

1. Andante sostenuto (A minor) (0:00)
2. Allegretto con spirito (A major) (3:47)

 

Laurent Albrecht Breuninger, violin

Lise Berthaud, viola
Oliver Triendl, piano

 

Also known as Piano Trio Op.105 (but not in its early publications). The latter is published as in A major, perhaps because only the slow introduction is in A minor.

The Duo was dedicated to Scharwenka's friend Hermann Ritter.

Hermann Ritter (16 September 1849 in Wismar – 25 January 1926 in Würzburg) was a German viola player, composer and music historian.

His outstanding talent was soon recognized and was appointed music director of the municipal orchestra in Heidelberg, where he also continued his education at the University of Heidelberg. During this time, his performance interest shifted from the violin to the viola, intent on improving the status of the violist by raising the standard of performance and developing an instrument with a tone equal to that of the violin and cello.

Besides musical compositions and transcriptions, Ritter is credited with writing many books and essays including several volumes on the music history of Europe.