Louis Spohr, German composer, 1784-1859

Louis (Ludwig) Spohr was a German composer, violinist and conductor. Highly regarded during his lifetime, Spohr composed ten symphonies, ten operas, eighteen violin concerti, four clarinet concerti, four oratorios, and various works for small ensemble, chamber music, and art songs. Spohr invented the violin chinrest and the orchestral rehearsal mark. His output occupies a pivotal position between Classicism and Romanticism, but fell into obscurity following his death, when his music was rarely heard. Spohr's operas "Faust" (1816), "Zemire und Azor" (1819) and "Jessonda" (1823) remained in the popular repertoire throughout the 19th and well into the 20th century.