Spohr was a leading virtuoso violinist and a composer.

During his life he was appointed as a chamber musician in the court of the Duke of Brunswick. He was appointed as leader of the orchestra of the Duke of Gotha. He toured Italy in 1816 and London in 1820 with his wife Dorette Schiedier. During the tour to London, he made history by conducting the Philharmonia Society's orchestra with a baton - one of the first to ever do so.

From 1822 to his death in 1859, Spohr fulfilled the post of court music director for the new Prince-Elector Wilhelm II at Kassel.

Spohr was a good friend and frequent associate of Carl Maria von Weber and an advocate of Richard Wagner, he met in Russia the composers John Field and Muzio Clementi.

Spohr wrote an opera, Jessonda, in 1823. He composed more than 200 works including 10 operas, 9 symphonies, 15 violin concertos, much chamber music, including an octet. Some of his works were for violin and harp which he wrote for himself and his wife who was a harpist. He wrote a concerto for clarinettist Johann Simon Hermstedt.

To P.R. Castle's list of Spohr's Compositions