I would say that Spohr and Beethoven both built on the firm foundations laid down by Haydn and Mozart but did so in completely different directions. However, Beethoven's more dramatic style gave rise to a whole new school of symphonic and chamber works whereas Spohr's compositional style did not appear to influence any of his contemporaries or successors, even his own pupils.
Spohr has been very well served by the smaller record labels over the past quarter century, especially Naxos who have issued all 5 of his piano trios and all 4 of his clarinet concertos although more expensive rival versions often include better performances.. I also particularly enjoy the 2 Naxos CDs of his music for harp and violin written to be played in conjunction with his harpist first wife Dorette, who sadly died relatively young in 1834. As you probably know, Hyperion and CPO are both in the course of issuing CDs of all Spohr's symphonies, using 2 rival British conductors, Howard Shelley and Howard Griffiths.
