Franz Xaver Richter

In service to the Prince-Abbot in Kempten as the vice-Kapellmeister and Kapellmeister at Strasbourg Cathedral, Richter was a bass singer, composer and outstanding member of the Mannheim school. He composed approximately seventy symphonies, six string quartets, six keyboard concertos, chamber music, oratorios and other church music. One of the oratorios was upon commission for Good Friday and is entitled "La deposizione dalla croce," (the stations of the cross). Richter was displeased about over zealous attitudes towards virtuosity and he was capable of composing lines in the Baroque style which were still inventive and also able to compose quartet music that was not only advanced but displayed a balance between voices that was heralding the Classical era. He was one of only two members of the Mannheim school, for example, to employ the use of minor modes as the tonic key or transitory key in the development of his symphonies. (The other composer was Franzl.) ~ Keith Johnson