Richter, Franz Xaver

Franz Xaver Richter
 – 5 Symphonies
(b. Holleschau, Noravia, 1 December 1709 – gest. Straßburg, 12 September 1789 )

Symphony in B-flat major (Them. Index 65)
Allegro p.3
Siciliano: Andante poco p.8
Presto p.11

Symphony in F major (Them. Index 36)
Allegro p.19
Andante p. 23
Presto p.26

Symphony in G minor (Them. Index 26)
Allegro spiritoso p.33
Andante grazioso p.41
Fugato p.44

Symphony in E-flat major (Them. Index 73)
Allegro maestoso p.53
Andante grazioso p.59
Tempo di minuetto p.61

Symphony in C major (Them. Index 11)
Allegro p.65
Andante grazioso p.72
Minuetto p.75
Presto p.77

Preface
Franz Xaver Richter was among the first generation of Mannheim composers in the eighteenth century. Likely born in or around a little town called Holleschau in Moravia, there remain few records on his early life. He probably spent some time in Vienna between 1727 and 1736 where he intensively studied Johann Joseph Fux’s Gradus ad Parnassum – perhaps even studying with Fux himself – and extensively arranged Antonio Caldara’s church music. In 1736, Richter was accepted as a bass singer in the Stuttgart Hofkapelle. He moved to the Benedictine Ritterakademie in Ettal in the following year as the director of music. In 1740, he entered the service of Bishop Prince Anselm von Reichlin-Meldegg in Kempten, Allgäu, as Vizekapellmeister, later becoming Kapellmeister. Although he continued to perform in various court positions throughout his life, in 1744 he established himself as a composer by publishing the Six grandes symphonies for strings in Paris. The publication actually contained twelve symphonies in total.

From 1761, Richter developed a composition treatise entitled Harmonische Belehrungen, which he completed in 1767 and dedicated to his patron, Mannheim Elector Carl Theodor. It was a course on counterpoint based on the models of Fux and Meinrad Spiess, but it refers to contemporary genres such as the solo concerto and the symphonies.

As one of the leading Mannheim composers, Richter composed many instrumental works, however, his compositions have been found throughout Europe, from Sweden to Austria, and thus, it remains difficult to identify their authenticity and chronology. He composed at least 83 symphonies, over 30 concerti for different instruments, and a huge number of sacred music. …

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