such as Cambini and Boccherini developed a more lyrical style, often with virtuoso first violin writing, and it was this style which was taken up in France by Gossec, Viotti, and others and in Germany by Louis Spohr (Sadie).
Louis Spohr was born in Brunswick in 1784, the son of a physician. His musical talent showed itself at an early age--his family moved to Seesen shortly after his birth, and there he had his first musical lessons. His parents were both amateur yet accomplished musicians, and they encouraged him greatly. He soon returned to Brunswick to study violin and music theory and progressed at a good rate. When he was fourteen, he first attempted to launch his career as a concert violinist, though it became evident and apparent to all that he was not yet ready. He was disappointed but still determined to pursue a career as a musician. He returned to Brunswick where he was appointed as a chamber musician in the court of the Duke of Brunswick, who proved to be a generous patron. Spohr also took lessons and studied with the Mannheim violinist Franz Eck, and he toured with his teacher in Germany ("Louis Spohr").
After returning to Brunswick once more, Spohr had considerable success. In Brunswick, he saw a concert given by Pierre Rode, the favorite pupil of the virtuoso Viotti. Spohr would emulate Rode's style, and in this way, Spohr was able to once again launch a concert career, with success instantly his. He quickly became and remained one of the leading violinists and composers in Europe. It as in 1820 on a trip to London when he made history by conducting the Philharmonia Society's orchestra with a baton, though this move drew opposition from many of the members of the orchestra who feared he did so with violent intent. Spohr also continued to compose and met success with his works:
As a composer, Spohr is best described as a highly individual and gifted Classic Romantic. His own ideal in music was M...