Louis Spohr, sometimes described as “The Forgotten
Master", was a German composer, violinist and
conductor. Spohr was once as famous as Beethoven. As a
violinist, his virtuoso playing was admired by Queen
Victoria. As a composer he ranks as a historic figure
in the development of German music drama whose greatest
triumph was in the oratorio. His orchestral writings
and chamber works were once considered on par with
Mozart’s. He invented the chin rest for the violin
and the batton for conduct...(+)
Louis Spohr, sometimes described as “The Forgotten
Master", was a German composer, violinist and
conductor. Spohr was once as famous as Beethoven. As a
violinist, his virtuoso playing was admired by Queen
Victoria. As a composer he ranks as a historic figure
in the development of German music drama whose greatest
triumph was in the oratorio. His orchestral writings
and chamber works were once considered on par with
Mozart’s. He invented the chin rest for the violin
and the batton for conducting (or was one of the first
to use it). The Salon Duetts (drawing room pieces)
composed 1846, are largely forgotton, the first of
which coming from a volume that may be found only in
the furthest corner of an old archive, yet being
exceedingly pleasant and with its rythmic tango-like
accompaniment quite appealing, but not easy to play,
especially in the middle part of this composition.
