Karl Richter
Born(1926-10-15)15 October 1926
Plauen, Weimar Republic
Died15 February 1981(1981-02-15) (aged 54)
Munich, West Germany
Occupations
  • Orchestral and choral conductor
  • Organist and harpsichordist
Spouse
Gladys Müller
​
(m. 1952)​
Children
  • Tobias Richter (b. 1953)
  • Simone Richter (b. 1961)

Karl Richter (15 October 1926 – 15 February 1981) was a German conductor, choirmaster, organist, and harpsichordist.

Early life and education

Karl Richter was born in Plauen to Christian Johannes Richter, a Protestant pastor, and Clara Hedwig Richter. He studied first in Dresden, where he was a member of the Dresdner Kreuzchor and later in Leipzig, where he received his degree in 1949. He studied with Günther Ramin (former teacher of another prominent Bach specialist, organist Helmut Walcha), Karl Straube and Rudolf Mauersberger.[1]

Career

In 1949, the year of his graduation, Richter became organist at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach had been the music director for 27 years. During his tenure there, he was witness to the inauguration of Bach's new grave and prepared a special performance of Bach's "St. Anne" Prelude and Fugue in E-flat for the reception.[1]

In 1952, after marrying Gladys Müller, with whom he had two children, Tobias and Simone, he moved to Munich, where he taught organ at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich and was cantor and organist at St. Mark's Church.

In 1954, Richter founded the Münchener Bach-Chor (Munich Bach Choir), and soon after, the Münchener Bach-Orchester (Munich Bach Orchestra), which rapidly became established as a prominent international ensemble and noted for its interpretations of the works of J. S. Bach and other composers. In the 1960s and 1970s he recorded often and toured Japan, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Richter served as conductor of both ensembles from 1954 until 1981.[2] In 1977, a recording of the First Movement from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F by the Munich Bach Orchestra under Richter was selected by NASA to be included on the Voyager Golden Record, a gold-plated copper record that was sent into space on the Voyager space craft. The record contained sounds and images which had been selected as examples of the diversity of life and culture on Earth.[3][4][5]

Richter played and conducted a wide range of music (sacred works from Heinrich Schütz to Max Reger, as well as the symphonic and concerto repertoire of the Classical and Romantic periods – even including Bruckner symphonies), but is best remembered for his interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Richter's performances were known for their soul-searching, intense and festive manner. He avoided the fluctuations in tempo that were previously characteristic of the prevailing Romantic manner of interpreting Bach, and devoted much attention to the woodwinds and to balance in general. His recordings from 1958 to 1970 are notable for "discipline, rhythmic tautness and expressive intensity".[6]

Richter viewed Baroque music as fundamentally impromptu and subjective in nature, explaining in an interview that he had been told his performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion sounded different from the one he had performed last year. He viewed this observation in a positive light, stating, "It's bad if you play a work with disdainful routine because you have to, and if you no longer have any thoughts or ideas about it." This was one of Richter's strengths, because each concert he conducted was a unique, irreplaceable event,[citation needed] and even though two performances could sound slightly different, both seemed just right in the moment he was playing them.[citation needed] Musicians who played with him acknowledged this and analogized that performing Baroque music with Richter was like playing ping-pong because the back and forth is what directed the piece.[7]

As well as a conductor, Richter is also renowned as a virtuoso harpsichordist and organist. He undertook at least two American concert tours, the second in late 1958.[8] His performances of Bach's organ works are known for their imposing registrations and favorable pace and are regarded by many as definitive.[citation needed]

Later years and death

The grave in January 2024.

In 1971, Richter suffered a heart attack and thereafter suffered increasing problems with his vision. Consequently, he began to memorize as many works as he could before he might lose his sight. Eventually he had eye surgery, of which he was initially skeptical but which was effective.[7]

When asked about the energy-draining self-imposed burden of work he set himself, he would reply "My time is now" and "We Richters don't grow old."[1]

In a hotel in Munich in 1981 he suffered a fatal heart attack, and was buried in the Enzenbühl cemetery in Zürich eight days later. His widow Gladys, who was born in 1931, died in 2019 and was buried in his grave.

Selected works

Although focusing mainly on the German Baroque period – and particularly on Johann Sebastian Bach's works, Richter recorded a wide amount of music. His discography includes works by Scarlatti, Handel, Telemann, C. P. E. Bach and Joh. Chr. Bach (Johann Sebastian's sons), Haydn, Gluck, Mozart and Mendelssohn, and Beethoven's Mass in C major. He also recorded organ works by Liszt and Reger related to Bach, and Brahms' chorale preludes for organ.

Recordings

Works by J. S. Bach

A Bach specialist and renowned interpreter, in 1958 he recorded the full St Matthew Passion for Archiv Produktion, leading himself the Münchener Bach-Orchester, the Münchener Bach-Chor and the Münchener Chorknaben. He would record the work again in later years (1979, published 1980).

In 1961, he recorded Bach's Mass in B minor, BWV 232, in a triple LP for Archiv Produktion, and the Magnificat, BWV 243 for the same label. His Magnificat was also released in another LP featuring BWV 78 on Side A.

In 1963, he recorded the complete Musical Offering, BWV 1079 for Archiv:

In the next two years, he and his orchestra and choir recorded other major vocal works by Bach: excerpts from St John Passion and the Christmas Oratorio; extracts of the former were also released the next year by Deutsche Grammophon.

Regarding his activity as organist and harpsichordist, among his first recordings (in addition to Handel's concertos, see below) are two works by Bach at the organ of Holy Mary of the Ottobeuren Abbey (1958):

He then recorded 4 LPs with Deutsche Grammophon from 1964 to 1969, and another one in 1978 (for Archiv Produktion, published in 1980).

In 1969 he recorded a selection of harpsichord works by Bach for Deutsche Grammophon, including the Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 (originally for organ).

In 1972 he recorded a split double album with organist Albert de Klerk for Telefunken, which included organ works by Bach and other Baroque composers.

Record labels such as Decca or Deutsche Grammophon occasionally recorded his organ recitals. For example:

Works by G. F. Handel

In 1952, he recorded Handel's Concerti grossi, op. 6 with the Bamberger Symphoniker directed by Fritz Lehmann, for Archiv Produktion:

Also regarding Handel's works, in 1959 he recorded the organ concertos for Decca Records, with the Karl Richter Chamber Orchestra. Richter lead the orchestra from the keyboard while playing the organ, which he also did in his Musical Offering recording (see above).

Works by other composers

Richter recorded not only works by Johann Sebastian Bach, but also by some of his sons. Specifically, he recorded C. P. E. Bach's Symphony No. 1 in D major and Johann Christian Bach's Symphony in B major, Op. 18, No. 2 for Telefunken, leading the Munich Bach Orchestra. The recording also includes Mozart's Symphony in A major, KV 201.

Also regarding C. P. E. Bach, he would later record his first four symphonies for Archiv:

In 1964, he had recorded a selection of organ works by Mozart, Brahms and Liszt for Deutsche Grammophon:

In 1971, he led the Munich Bach Orchestra and the Munich Bach Choir in Beethoven's Mass in C major, released by Deutsche Grammophon:

Legacy, reissues and reprints

The whole set of Bach's organ works as recorded by Richter was reissued in 2005 by Deutsche Grammophon in a 3-CD box set:

In 2020, Richter's 1958 Archiv recording of Bach's St Matthew Passion has been praised by Baroque specialist and harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock, in a videoblog interview for Deutsche Grammophon.[44]

Also in 2020, Richter's complete recordings on Archiv Produktion and Deutsche Grammophon were reissued in a limited edition, 97-CD & 3 Blu-Ray Audio box set.[45]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wörner, Roland (2006). "Karl Richter 1926–1981 / His Life and Work" (PDF). Conventus Musicus. Conventus Musicus. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Munchener Bach-Orchster (Orchestra) – Short History". www.bach-cantatas.com.
  3. ^ "Voyager – Music on the Golden Record". voyager.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Late Junction: The songs they sent to space". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Radio 3. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  5. ^ Sagan, Carl (2 April 2013). Murmurs of Earth. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-80202-6.
  6. ^ Nicholas Anderson, "Karl Richter," in Oxford Composer Companions: J. S. Bach, Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 420
  7. ^ a b Lindemann, Klaus. "The Legacy of Karl Richter", Deutsche Grammophon, 11 April 2006.
  8. ^ "Richter Makes a Second American Concert Tour" (PDF). The Diapason. 49 (11): 1. 1 October 1958.
  9. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach / Karl Richter – Passio Secundum Matthæum (Matthäus-Passion) (1958, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  10. ^ J. S. Bach, Edith Mathis, Janet Baker, Peter Schreier, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Matti Salminen, Münchener Bach-Chor, Regensburger Domspatzen, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter – Matthäus Passion = St. Matthew Passion = La Passion Selon Saint-Matthieu (1980, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  11. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach - Karl Richter – Missa Symbolum Nicenum Sanctus Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei Et Dona Nobis Pacem (Messe In H-Moll) BWV 232 (1961, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  12. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach, Maria Stader ∙ Hertha Töpper, Ernst Haefliger ∙ Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Münchener Bach-Chor ∙ Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter – Magnificat Für Soli, Chor Und Orchester In D-Dur, BWV 243 (1961, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  13. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach, Münchener Bach-Chor, Solistengemeinschaft Der Bach-Woche Ansbach, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter – "Jesu, Der Du Meine Seele" (Kantate Am 14. Sonntag Nach Trinitatis, BWV 78) / "Magnificat" (Für Soli, Chor Und Orchester D-dur, BWV 243) (1963, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  14. ^ "Johann Sebastian Bach / Aurèle Nicolet, Otto Büchner, Kurt Guntner, Siegfried Meinecke, Fritz Kiskalt, Hedwig Bilgram, Karl Richter - Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  15. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach / Karl Richter – Johannes-Passion: Arien & Chöre (1964, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  16. ^ "Johann Sebastian Bach / Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, Franz Crass, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter - Weihnachts-Oratorium • Christmas Oratorio • Oratorio De Noël, BWV 248". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Johann Sebastian Bach - Weihnachts-Oratorium, Chöre und Arien". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  18. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach, Karl Richter – Marienorgel Zu Ottobeuren (1958, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  19. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach, Karl Richter – Marienorgel Zu Ottobeuren . Dorische Toccata und Fuge, BWV 538 . Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig BWV 768 (Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  20. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach - Karl Richter – Toccata Und Fuge D-moll, BWV 565 • Triosonate Nr. 2 C-moll, BWV 526 • Präludium Und Fuge D-dur, BWV 532 • Fantasie Und Fuge G-moll, BWV 542 (Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  21. ^ J.S. Bach / Karl Richter – Orgelwerke · Organ Works · Oeuvres Pour Orgue (Vol. 1) (1968, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  22. ^ J.S. Bach · Karl Richter – Orgelwerke · Organ Works · Œuvres Pour Orgue (Vol. 2) (1968, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  23. ^ J.S. Bach - Karl Richter – Orgelwerke = Organ Works = Œuvres Pour Orgue(Vol. 3) (1969, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  24. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach - Karl Richter – Dorische Toccata Und Fuge • Passacaglia (1980, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  25. ^ "Johann Sebastian Bach, Karl Richter - Italienisches Konzert, BWV 971 · Fantasie, BWV 906 · Chromatische Fantasie Und Fuge, BWV 903 · Toccata, BWV 915 · Pastorale, BWV 590". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  26. ^ Karl Richter, Albert de Klerk – Norddeutsche Arp Schnitger-Orgeln (1972, Box set, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  27. ^ Bach, Karl Richter – Organ Recital (1960, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  28. ^ Johann Sebastian Bach - Karl Richter – Bach Organ Recital Vol. 1 Toccata And Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 • Trio Sonata No. 2 C in Minor, BWV 526 • Prelude And Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 • Fantasia And Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542 (1964, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  29. ^ Bach, Karl Richter – Organ Recital Vol. 2 (1967, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  30. ^ Bach, Karl Richter – Organ Recital Vol.3 (1967, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  31. ^ Georg Friedrich Händel – Otto Büchner · Franz Berger · Hans Melzer · Bamberger Symphoniker · Karl Richter · Fritz Lehmann – Concerti Grossi Op. 6 Nr. 1 G-dur - Nr. 2 F-dur - Nr. 3 E-moll - Nr. 4 A-moll (1952, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  32. ^ Georg Friedrich Händel – Otto Büchner · Franz Berger · Hans Melzer · Bamberger Symphoniker · Karl Richter · Fritz Lehmann – Concerti Grossi Op. 6 Nr. 5 D-dur - Nr. 6 G-moll (1952, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  33. ^ "Georg Friedrich Händel - Fritz Lehmann - Otto Büchner, Franz Berger, Hans Melzer, Karl Richter - Bamberger Symphoniker - Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Nr. 7 B-dur, Nr. 8 C-moll". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  34. ^ Georg Friedrich Händel, Bamberger Symphoniker, Fritz Lehmann, Karl Richter, Hans Melzer, Franz Berger, Otto Büchner – Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Nr. 9 F-dur, Nr. 10 D-moll (1952, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  35. ^ Georg Friedrich Händel, Fritz Lehmann, Bamberger Symphoniker – Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 Nr. 11 A-dur / Nr. 12 H-moll (1952, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  36. ^ Handel, Karl Richter With The Karl Richter Chamber Orchestra – Organ Concertos Vol. 1 Op. 4 Nos. 1 2 3 4 (1959, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  37. ^ Handel, Karl Richter With The Karl Richter Chamber Orchestra – Organ Concertos Vol. 2 Op.4 Nos. 5 6 7 8 (1960, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  38. ^ Handel, Karl Richter With The Karl Richter Chamber Orchestra – Organ Concertos Vol. 3: Nos. 9 10 11 12 (1959, Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  39. ^ "C. Ph. E. Bach* • Joh. Chr. Bach* • Mozart*, Das Münchener Bach-Orchester* Dirigent Karl Richter - Symphonien D-Dur • B-Dur • A-Dur". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach / Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter - Vier Orchester-Sinfonien = Four Orchestral Symphonies". Discogs (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  41. ^ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Johannes Brahms · Franz Liszt – Karl Richter – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Johannes Brahms · Franz Liszt / Karl Richter An Der Steinmeyer-Orgel Im Herkules-Saal, München (Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  42. ^ Karl Richter, Gundula Janowitz, Julia Hamari, Horst R. Laubenthal, Ernst Gerold Schramm, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Ludwig van Beethoven – Messe C-Dur Op. 86 - Mass In C Major, Op. 86 (Vinyl) (in Italian), retrieved 2 January 2022
  43. ^ J.S. Bach, Karl Richter – Organ Works (2005, CD) (in Italian), retrieved 1 January 2022
  44. ^ Trevor Pinnock – "My Baroque" #9/12: Karl Richter's Matthäuspassion (Videoblog), retrieved 1 January 2022
  45. ^ "KARL RICHTER Complete Recordings on Archiv and Deutsche Grammophon". www.deutschegrammophon.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  46. ^ "Deutsche Grammophon - der offizielle Shop - Complete Recordings On Archiv & DG (97 CDs & 3 BluRay Audio) - Ltd. Edition - Karl Richter - Box set". store.deutschegrammophon.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  47. ^ Richter also recorded the Pastorale, BWV 590 at the organ, in the same year, for a television broadcast program, which also included the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565; the Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582; and the chorale partitas O Gott, du former Gott, BWV 767. All pieces were recorded at the organs of the Ottobereuren Abbey.

Sources

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