Hyperion Records

The Serenade for violin and piano, Op 70, dates from 1895 when Scharwenka was based in the USA and, perhaps surprisingly, is the only example he left of the short ‘salon’ instrumental piece. It was dedicated to his brother’s wife, Marianne (née Stressov), a violinist who also taught at the Scharwenka Conservatory. In a simple A-B-A form, the mood is essentially lyrical and expressive and is typical of a genre very popular at the turn of the century.

from notes by Martin Eastick © 2002