Franz Xaver Richter (1709-1789)
- Concerto (F-Dur) Per il | Oboe Principale | Violino Primo. |
Violino Secondo. | Violetta. | Con | Basso (1770)
Performers: Luise Hаugk (oboe); Czеch Baroque Ensemble; Roman Válеk (conductor)
Further info: Franz Xaver Richter (1709-1789) - Sinfonia in D (1750)
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Moravian composer, theorist and singer. His earliest education was at
the Jesuit school in Uherské Hradištĕ (Ungarisch Hradisch), following
which in 1727 he traveled to Italy and Vienna, where he probably
received some musical instruction from Johann Joseph Fux. From around
1735 to 1740 he was employed in a variety of small positions, probably
in Bavaria or the Tirol before obtaining the post of vice Kapellmeister
for Prince-Abbot Anselm von Reichlin-Meldeg in Kempten. Here he composed
one of his earliest works, a multi-movement Te Deum and several
symphonies for strings, 12 of which were published in two sets in Paris
(Grande Symphonies) as some of the earliest popular works in the genre.
In 1747 he arrived in Mannheim as a singer (bass), where he performed in
various operas and by 1768 had become known both as a teacher and as a
composer of chamber music. During this period he often traveled to Paris
and was on loan at the court of Oettingen-Wallerstein; his students
included Joseph Martin Kraus, as well as most likely Carl Stamitz and
Ignaz Fränzl. In 1769 he succeeded Joseph Garnier as Kapellmeister of
the cathedral in Strasbourg, where he remained the rest of his life,
save for a brief visit to Munich in 1787 to see his old colleagues from
Mannheim. Although he was an active composer of sacred music during this
time, his duties required him to hire an assistant in 1783, Ignaz
Pleyel, who also became his successor following Richter’s death. His
extant works include about 80 symphonies, overtures, 6 harpsichord
concertos, 8 flute concertos, an Oboe Concerto, dozens of sonatas for
several instruments, various keyboard pieces and much sacred music. He
was one of the most notable composers of the Classical period and
particulary in the instrumental field.
