Selbstbiographie

Rare Books Fund

Selbstbiographie [Louis Spohr]

Selbstbiographie
The autobiography (Selbstbiographie) of Louis Spohr — the eminent 19th-century German composer, violinist, conductor, and music educator — is a valuable monument to the musical and cultural history of Europe. Published in 1861 in German, after the author’s death, this book offers readers a vivid and sincere portrait of Spohr’s life: his artistic journey, concert tours, teaching career, and encounters with prominent contemporaries. Beyond personal recollections, the autobiography immerses readers in the musical atmosphere of the era, conveying the nuances of a musician’s profession and the aesthetic quests of the Romantic period. The edition is elegantly designed, with a burgundy cloth cover adorned with gold embossing — featuring a lyre and an open book, symbols of inspiration and knowledge — which gives the book not only artistic expressiveness but also collector’s value.