Louis Spohr's Autobiography. Spohr Louis

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       Louis Spohr

      Louis Spohr's Autobiography

      Translated from the German

      Published by Good Press, 2021

       [email protected]

      EAN 4057664575913

Table of Contents

       PREFACE.

       Chronological Index of Contents.

       Alphabetical list of the most notable persons, adverted to in the two volumes.

PREFACE.

       Table of Contents

      In publishing an English translation of the unadorned yet highly interesting Autobiography of the celebrated Violinist and great Composer Louis Spohr, we consider we are but satisfying a natural desire on the part of his many admirers in this country to become more intimately acquainted with both the public and private life of this great musical genius—this noble, manly character, in whom were combined in so high a degree the qualities of the true artist with those of the really great-minded and thoroughly good man.

      Although nearly twelve years have elapsed since Spohr’s last appearance in England, and during that time numberless foreign artists of distinction have visited us and gathered well-earned laurels and golden opinions in these islands; yet still above all Spohr shines out a star of the first magnitude, and there are no doubt thousands yet amongst us who were present at the performance of his oratorios, under his direction, at Norwich, or attended his concerts in London, and to whom this Autobiography will be of interest. We have little to say of it here—it speaks for itself. Simple and truthful throughout, it is a mirror of the mind of him who jotted down the details composing the same. Modest and unassuming at the commencement of his career, Spohr continued so till the end, notwithstanding the celebrity he achieved and the high position to which he attained. The praises showered upon him neither turned his brain nor puffed him up with pride; and he has left us an example of high morality, great amiability, and bright domestic virtues, too rare alas! among artists and men of genius.

      Spohr was a man devoted to his art, and although far from wealthy, often sacrificed his time—which to him, as to most of us, was money—in giving gratuitous instruction to young men of ability too poor to pay for lessons; and not unfrequently has he unhesitatingly dismissed some rich, well-paying, but dull scholar to make way for a poor but talented pupil, in hopes of thereby benefitting his art—and this was his sole reward.

      Another prominent trait in Spohr’s character was his childlike simplicity, combined with never-failing good-nature and an inability to bear malice. Nor did the many unavoidable trials and vexations of a long life ever permanently disturb his good humour or sour his temper; and even gross injustice failed to do more than temporarily ruffle the calm serenity of his soul. Thus he passed through the world, an active and highly useful member of society, beloved and respected by all who knew him, till in process of time he went down to his grave full of years and honour.

      As is explained in the text, the Autobiography comes to an end with the month of June 1838; but the description of the life and doings of the great master from that date till the time of his death was continued from reliable materials furnished by Mrs. Spohr and other members of the family; so that the whole forms a true account and lively picture of Spohr’s earthly career from his cradle to his grave.

      With these few remarks we submit the work to the perusal and kind consideration of the gentle reader.

      London, October 1864.

      THE TRANSLATOR.

Chronological Index of Contents.

       Table of Contents

Vol. I.
Page
1784 to 1799. Spohr’s childhood and youth at Seesen and Brunswick.—Musical proclivities, and the instrument of his choice.—His first instructors on the violin.—First attempts at composition.—Sent by his father to Hamburg to seek his fortune.—Disappointed hopes, and return to Brunswick.—Singular interview with the Duke of Brunswick.—Appointed violinist in the court orchestra of the Duke.—Undertakes the musical education of his brother Ferdinand.—His admiration of the music of Mozart.—Disturbs the Duchess of Brunswick at her party of “ombre” with his “murderous fiddling.”	1
1802. Spohr proceeds with Franz Eck to St. Petersburg.—Revisits Hamburg.—Cultivates at intervals his fondness for drawing and painting in water-colours.—His first love.—Dussek.—Spohr’s first published work, violin concerto Op. 1.—Stay at Strelitz.—Romantic adventure.—Second capture of Spohr’s heart.—Königsberg.—St. Petersburg.—Impressions, and incidents during his stay in that Capital.—Returns by sea to Germany.—Arrival at Brunswick	14
1803. Appointed court musician at Brunswick	62
1804. Musical tour to Leipsic, Dresden and Berlin	67
1805. Appointed Concert-Master at Gotha.—Present with Prince Louis Ferdinand at the military manœuvres at Magdeburg	84
1806. Marriage of Spohr with Dorette Scheidler	95
1807. Musical tour to Weimar, Leipsic, Dresden, Prague, Munich, Frankfort, Stuttgard and Heidelberg	101
1808. Pedestrian tour through the Harz with his pupils	112
Composes his opera of “Alruna”	115
Congress at Erfurt	117
1809. Musical tour to Leipsic, Breslau, Berlin and Hamburg	Скачать книгу 1 2 3 4 5 > В конец