Karl (also Carl and later Charles) Oberthür was born in Munich 1819. His father made violins. Karl was taught in playing the harp by Elise Brauchle and in composition by George v. Röder who was music director at the Munich Court.
He was employed in Zurich, Wiesbaden, Mannheim and London. He became professor for harp at the Academy in London.
He died in 1895 in London.
He composed more than 350 works, the most of them for harp.
"Mon sejour a Darmstadt" op. 90 for Horn (or two horns ad. lib.) and Harp
This work describes his stay in Darmstadt. It was composed in 1856 and is dedicated to the two horn players fo the chapel of the Großherzog von Hessen-Darmstadt. The horn players are Ludwig and Friedrich. G.(?) Thomas. The work can be played by one as well as by two horn players.