Whose Birthday Is It? April 5, 2018

Louis Spohr, “The Forgotten Master” (1784)

A highly respected German composer and violinist in the 19th century, Spohr has been largely neglected since then. After touring Europe, he became kapellmeister—leader of the orchestra—in Kassel, Germany, in 1822 and remained there for the rest of his life, eventually directing all of the city’s music. Highly prolific, he wrote 15 violin concertos, nine symphonies, and many operas. In 1857, what accident put an end to Spohr’s violin playing? More…