TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
COPYRIGHT EDITION.
LONDON:
LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN.
CASSELL AND GŒTTINGEN: GEORGE H. WIGAND.
1865.
In publishing an English translation of the unadorned yethighly interesting Autobiography of the celebrated Violinistand great Composer Louis Spohr, we consider we are butsatisfying a natural desire on the part of his many admirersin this country to become more intimately acquainted with boththe public and private life of this great musical genius—thisnoble, manly character, in whom were combined in sohigh a degree the qualities of the true artist with those ofthe really great-minded and thoroughly good man.
Although nearly twelve years have elapsed since Spohr’slast appearance in England, and during that time numberlessforeign artists of distinction have visited us and gathered well-earnedlaurels and golden opinions in these islands; yet stillabove all Spohr shines out a star of the first magnitude, andthere are no doubt thousands yet amongst us who were presentat the performance of his oratorios, under his direction, atNorwich, or attended his concerts in London, and to whomthis Autobiography will be of interest. We have little to sayof it here—it speaks for itself. Simple and truthful throughout,it is a mirror of the mind of him who jotted down the detailscomposing the same. Modest and unassuming at the commencementof his career, Spohr continued so till the end,notwithstanding the celebrity he achieved and the high positionto which he attained. The praises showered upon himneither turned his brain nor puffed him up with pride; andhe has left us an example of high morality, great amiability,[Pg ii]and bright domestic virtues, too rare alas! among artists andmen of genius.
Spohr was a man devoted to his art, and although farfrom wealthy, often sacrificed his time—which to him, asto most of us, was money—in giving gratuitous instructionto young men of ability too poor to pay for lessons; and notunfrequently has he unhesitatingly dismissed some rich, well-paying,but dull scholar to make way for a poor but talentedpupil, in hopes of thereby benefitting his art—and this washis sole reward.
Another prominent trait in Spohr’s character was hischildlike simplicity, combined with never-failing good-natureand an inability to bear malice. Nor did the many unavoidabletrials and vexations of a long life ever permanentlydisturb his good humour or sour his temper; and even grossinjustice failed to do more than temporarily ruffle the calmserenity of his soul. Thus he passed through the world, anactive and highly useful member of society, beloved and respectedby all who knew him, till in process of time he wentdown to his grave full of years and honour.
As is explained in the text, the Autobiography comes toan end with the month of June 1838; but the description ofthe life and doings of the great master from that date till thetime of his death was continued from reliable materials furnishedby Mrs. Spohr and other members of the family; so thatthe whole forms a true account and lively picture of Spohr’searthly career from his cradle to his grave.
With these few remarks we submit the work to the perusaland kind consideration of the gentle reader.
London, October 1864.
THE TRANSLATOR.