Louis Spohr (April 5, 1784 – October 22, 1859) was a German composer, violinist and conductor. Born Ludwig Spohr, he is usually known by the French form of his name outside Germany. Spohr was born in Braunschweig in the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg to Karl Heinrich Spohr and Juliane Ernestine Luise Henke and throughout his childhood showed talent for the violin. He joined the ducal orchestra at the age of 15. Three years later he was sent, with the Duke of Brunswick's support Read more on Last.fm