Scharwenka, (Franz) Xaver (1850–1924)

German-Polish pianist, composer, and teacher. He began his career as a touring pianist, but gradually became more involved in teaching, and eventually founded his own music school in Berlin, where his brother, Philipp Scharwenka, also taught.

He studied at Kullak's school of music in Berlin, and made his first appearance as a pianist there in 1869. Later he travelled widely, paying his first visit to England in 1879. In 1881, he opened a conservatory of his own in Berlin; in 1893, it became amalgamated with Klindworth's. In 1891–98 he lived mainly in New York, where he had opened a branch of his school.

Works Opera Mataswintha (on Felix Dahn's novel Ein Kampf um Rom, 1896).

Orchestral symphony in C minor; four piano concertos (published 1876–1908).

Chamber piano quartet; two piano trios; two cello and piano sonatas; Theme and Variations; Polish dances; numerous other works for piano.