- Karl Richter
Karl Richter (
October 15 ,1926 –February 15 ,1981 ) was a German conductor,organist , andharpsichordist . He was born inPlauen and studied first inDresden and thenLeipzig , where he received his degree in 1949. In the same year, he became organist at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, whereJohann Sebastian Bach once held the position as Musical Director. In 1951, he moved toMunich , where he taught at the conservatory and was cantor and organist at St. Mark's Church. He also conducted theMunich Bach Choir starting in 1954 and theMunich Bach Orchestra . In the 1960s and 1970s, he did a great deal of recording and undertook tours to Japan, the United States, and the Soviet Union.He conducted a wide range of music, but is best remembered today for his interpretations of
Johann Sebastian Bach 's music. Karl Richter avoided the fluctuations intempo that were then characteristic of the prevailing Romantic manner of conducting Bach, but otherwise did not make use of historically authentic performance practices, using modern instruments right to the end of his career.He died of a heart attack at the age of 54.
References
*Johannes Martin, "Karl Richter in Muenchen (1951 - 1981) . Zeitzeugen erinnern sich" (2005), Conventus Musicus, ISBN 3-00-016864-8
External links
* [http://www.jsbach.org/karlrichter.html J.S. Bach.org - Karl Richter Recordings]
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Richter-Karl.htm Bach Cantatas Website - Karl Richter Biography]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com/2005/06/chronik-muenchener-bach-chor-1951-1959.html Chronicle recordings & tours Karl Richter and MBC / MBO 1951 - 1959]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com/2005/07/chronik-muenchener-bach-chor-1960-1965.html Chronicle recordings & tours Karl Richter and MBC / MBO 1960 - 1965]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com/2005/07/chronik-muenchener-bach-chor-1966-1969.html Chronicle recordings & tours Karl Richter and MBC / MBO 1966 - 1969]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com/2005/08/chronik-muenchener-bach-chor-1970-1975.html Chronicle recordings & tours Karl Richter and MBC / MBO 1970 - 1975]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com/2005/08/chronik-muenchener-bach-chor-1976-1981.html Chronicle recordings & tours Karl Richter and MBC / MBO 1977 - 1981]
* [http://karlrichtermunich.blogspot.com Weblog Karl Richter in Munich (1951 - 1981) - Artists and Bach-choriser remember his work and influence on their career]
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