Spohr described his Symphony No. 4 as a 'Characteristic Tone Painting in the form of a Symphony,' with its four movements closely following a literary source.
Composer Biography
Louis Spohr was an early pioneer in the use of a baton for conducting, which caused dismay and apprehension when he first appeared with one before a London orchestra.
Performer Biography
Alfred Walter recorded over twenty volumes of the Johann Strauss II Edition for Marco Polo, as well as works by von Schillings, von Einem, de Bériot, Reinecke, and all symphonic works by Furtwängler and Spohr.
Performer Biography
The Budapest Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1943 by Ernő Dohnányi, became widely known through frequent broadcasts and recordings.
Composer Biography
Louis Spohr, the composer, was a leading violinist and teacher of his time, and is historically significant for his contribution to instrumental music and opera.
Performer Biography
Alfred Walter, the conductor, was given the title of Professor by the Austrian Government in 1986 and received the Golden Medal of the International Gustav Mahler Society in 1980.
Composition History
Spohr's Symphony No. 4, Op. 86, subtitled 'Die Weihe der Töne' (The Consecration of Sound), was originally conceived as a memorial cantata based on a poem by Carl Pfeiffer.
