Franz Xaver Richter

18th-Century Bohemian Composer and Violinist

Franz Xaver Richter (1709–1789) was an important figure in the world of music during the late Baroque and early Classical periods. A member of the Mannheim school, he was one of the composers who contributed to the development of the early symphonic form. Richter held various positions throughout his career, including serving as a violinist in the court orchestra at Mannheim and later as Kapellmeister in Strasbourg. His compositional output was diverse, encompassing a wide range of genres including symphonies, chamber music, choral works, and sacred music. Richter's style bridged the gap between the Baroque and Classical eras, with his earlier works exhibiting a more contrapuntal and complex style typical of the Baroque, while his later compositions leaned towards the clearer and more homophonic textures that characterized Classical music. Although not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, Richter's work has been subject to a revival of interest, with modern recordings bringing some of his pieces, such as his symphonies and chamber music, back into the public ear.