Für die Jugend, Op. 71 No. 2

Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka.
Born 16 February 1847, in Samter, Grand Duchy of Posen.
Died 16 July 1917, in Bad Nauheim.
He was a German composer and teacher of music and the older brother of Xaver Scharwenka.
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. He wrote over 76 works for piano some with several parts.

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.

As Director of the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory Scharwenka remained active until his death in 1917. Otto Klemperer studied with him in Berlin.

One of his admirers was Max Reger, who in 1898 dedicated his Phantasiestücke op. 26 to him.