Biography of Louis Spohr (1784-1859)

05.04.1784
Born in Brunswick, his father was an amateur flutist, his mother a professional singer and piano player
In early years harp lessons, later changing to violin.
1797
Appointment at the Brunswick theatre orchestra
1799
Chamber musician for the duke of Brunswick
1805
Concertmaster of the court orchestra in Gotha
02.02.1806
Marriage to the harpist Dorette Scheidler, who fascinated him by her virtuosic playing. His preoccupation with harp and violin led to the decision to tune the harp a semitone lower. Thus it was possible to play together with the violin in her preferred tonalities without using the harps pedals.
1812
Bandmaster at the "Theater an der Wien" and start of a friendship with Beethoven
1817
Band master of the urban theatre in Frankfurt
1820
Very successful stay in London
1822
On recommendation of Weber he becomes band master in Kassel
1834
His wife dies
1836
Second marriage with the pianist Marianne Pfeiffer
1857
Retirement with reduced earnings, as he had fallen in disgrace before
22.10.1859
Dies in Kassel
During his lifetime he was more famous than Beethoven or Schumann and supported Wagner by playing the Fliegende Holländer in Kassel. His fame being a violin virtuoso was only topped by Paganini.

Sheet music for flute:

Fantasie op. 118 (h-moll)
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, harp)
Edition Dohr, 99691
Rating: mid-grade
  1. Allegro molto
  2. Andantino
  3. Allegretto
  4. Andantino
Quintet op. 52
CD-Aufnahmen bei jpc.deMP3-Download bei amazon.de
(flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, piano)
Musica Rara, MR1510
Rating: mid-grade
  1. Allegro moderato
  2. Larghetto con moto
  3. Menuetto - Allegretto
Parts and score, which is the piano part at the same time.

Literature von/über Louis Spohr

Last edit 16.12.2012