In 1805 Spohr, just 30 and already established as a violin virtuoso, took up a post in Gotha, where he met the 18-year-old harpist Dorette Scheidler. Performances with this “pretty blonde” proved so enjoyable that the enamoured Spohr blurted out, “Shall we make music together for the rest of our lives?” – a proposal which Dorette correctly took to be one of marriage. She burst into tears and fell into his arms.

Spohr wrote a number of pieces for them, including the three sonatas admirably played on this record. The Op 113 Sonata was written early in the courtship, which perhaps accounts for a lengthy first movement that clearly required them to spend a lot of time together rehearsing it. What little is known of Dorette comes from Spohr’s autobiography and does not suggest that she would have been content with an accompanying role. The two pieces for solo harp show that she was well capable of holding her own in virtuosity. And she is treated very much as an equal partner in the duos, with great ingenuity both musically and, so a detailed insert-note describes, technically with regard to virtuoso harp technique. They are attractive pieces, sharing the musical interest between the two players, and discoursing on a favourite work with the Sonata concertante, Op 114, on themes from The Magic Flute. Allusions to “Ach, ich fühl’s” for early apprehensions and later the cheerful “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” are understandable enough for this devoted couple; but what can be the reason for the appearance of the Two Armed Men, whose fugato even Spohr’s skill cannot reconcile to harp and violin? No great ordeal afflicted their smooth courtship and happy marriage.