Karl Richter (conductor)

Karl Richter (15 October 1926 – 15 February 1981) was a German conductor, choirmaster, organist, and harpsichordist. He was born in Plauen and 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, Carl Straube and Rudolf Mauersberger. In the same year, he became organist at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach once held the position as Musical Director. In 1951, he moved to Munich, where he taught at the conservatory and was cantor and organist at St. Mark's Church. He also conducted the Münchener Bach-Chor starting in 1954 and the Münchener Bach-Orchester. In the 1960s and 1970s, he did a great deal of recording and undertook tours to Japan, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

He conducted a wide range of music (sacred music from Heinrich Schütz to Max Reger, as well as the symphonic and concerto repertoire of the Classical and Romantic period, including Bruckner's symphonies) but he is best remembered for his interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach's and Handel's music. Richter's performances were known for their soulsearching, intense and festive character, but he avoided the fluctuations in tempi that were then characteristic of the prevailing Romantic manner of conducting Bach. Much attention he devoted to the woodwinds and their balance.

As well as a conductor, Richter is also remembered as an excellent organist. His performances of Bach's organ pieces are known for their imposing registrations and favorable pace.

While staying in a hotel in Munich in 1981, Richter died from a heart attack. He was buried in the Enzenbühl cemetery in Zurich 8 days later.

Although both are of German heritage, Richter has no family relationship with the renowned Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter.