Karl Richter
Bach's Instrumental Works

Contents

Recordings of Organ Works
Recordings of Solo Keyboard Works
Recordings of Chamber Works
Recordings of Orchestral Works
Recordings of Musical Offering & Art of Fugue
Box Sets & Selections
Recordings of Vocal Works: Part 1 | Part 2

Karl Richter - Short Biography
Münchener Bach-Chor - Short History
Münchener Bach-Orchester - Short History

Review: Famous Bach Organ Works from Karl Richter
Review: Karl Richter Performs Bach’s Partitas & Goldbergs
Comprative Review: Round-Up of Goldberg Variations Recordings: Recordings | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Review: Review: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 5 - conducted by Karl Richter

Recordings

Recordings of Organ Works

R-1

Bach: Organ Recital

Fantasia & Fugue in G minor ("Great"), BWV 542 [14:31]
Prelude & Fugue in E minor ("Wedge"), BWV 548 [14:15]
Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 [9:53]
Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 [15:31]
Chorale Prelude Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (I), BWV 606 [0:57]
Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), BWV 639 [3:58]
Chorale Prelude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 [5:33]
Chorale Prelude Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650 [4:52]

Karl Richter (Organ)

Decca - London

Oct 1954

CD / TT: 70:10

Recorded at Victoria-Hall, Geneva, Switzerland.
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R-2

Bach:

Toccata & Fugue in F major, BWV 540 []
Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564 []

Karl Richter (Organ) [Walcker]

Decca

1955

LP / TT:

Recorded at Martin-Luther-Gedächtnitkirche, Berlin, Germany.

R-3

J.S. Bach: Organ Works, BWV 527, 530, 538, 572, 590, 768

1. Trio Sonata No. 3 in D minor, BWV 527 []
2. Trio Sonata No. 6 in G major, BWV 530 []
3. Toccata & Fugue in D minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 []
4. Pièce d'orgue (Fantasia) in G major, BWV 572 []
5. Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 []
6. Chorale Partita Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig, BWV 768 []

Karl Richter (Organ) [Marienorgel - 1958, Arp-Schnitger-Orgel der Ludgeri-Orgel - 1960]

Teldec

1958 [3, 6]; 1960 [1-2, 4-5]

2-CD / TT:

Recorded at Stiftsbasilika Ottobeuren [1958]; Norden [1960].
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R-4

J.S. Bach: Organ Works [Box Set]
Karl Richter spielt J.S. Bach [Box Set]

1. Trio Sonata No. 1 in E flat major, BWV 525 [12:11]
2. Trio Sonata No. 2 in C minor, BWV 526 [11:19]
3. Trio Sonata No. 5 in C major, BWV 529 [17:15]
4. Prelude & Fugue in D major ("Little"), BWV 532 [9:48]
5. Toccata & Fugue in D minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 [15:42]
6. Toccata & Fugue in F major, BWV 540 [13:37]
7. Fantasia & Fugue in G minor ("Great"), BWV 542 [12:36]
8. Prelude & Fugue in A minor "The Great," BWV 543 [10:24]
9. Prelude & Fugue in B minor, BWV 544 [12:46]
10. Prelude & Fugue in C minor, BWV 546 [12:54]
11. Prelude & Fugue in E minor ("Wedge"), BWV 548 [12:51]
12. Prelude & Fugue in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552 [15:02]
13. Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 [8:56]
14. Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 [15:26]
15. Canzona in D minor, BWV 588 [7:22]
16. Chorale Prelude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 [5:51]
17. Chorale Prelude Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650 [3:38]
18. Chorale Prelude Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (I), BWV 654 [9:13]
19. Chorale Partita O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767 [14:24]
20. Chorale Partita Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig, BWV 768 [19:32]

Karl Richter (Organ) [Marcussen-Orgel - 1964-1968; Silbermann - 1978]

Archiv Produktion / Deutsche Grammophon

1964 [2, 4, 7, 13]; 1966 [3, 11-12, 16-17]; 1967 [6, 8-9, 18]; 1968 [1, 10, 15, 19]; 1978 [5, 14, 20];

3/4-CD / TT: 240:47

Recorded at Jaegerborg-Kirche near Copenhagen, Denmark; Dom, Freiburg (Saxony), Germany. Includes [R-7].
Buy this album at: Amazon.com [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set]

R-5

Bach Organ Recital

Trio Sonata No. 6 in G major, BWV 530 [11:46]
Fantasia & Fugue in G minor ("Great"), BWV 542 [12:10]
Prelude & Fugue in E minor ("Wedge"), BWV 548 [11:52]
Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 [8:22]
Chorale Partita Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig, BWV 768 [17:52]

Karl Richter (Organ)

Aura Classics / Ermitage

Jul 6, 1965

CD / TT: 62:18

Recorded live by Radiotelevisione della Svizzera Italiana/Rete 2, at Magadino.
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R-6

J.S. Bach: The Organ Concertos

Concerto No. 1 in G major (after Duke Johann Ernst), BWV 592 []
Concerto No. 2 in A minor (after Antonio Vivaldi), 593 [11:42]
Concerto No. 3 in C major (after Antonio Vivaldi), BWV 594 []
Concerto No. 4 in C major (after Duke Johann Ernst), BWV 595 [4:04]
Concerto No. 5 in D minor (after Antonio Vivaldi), BWV 596 []
Concerto No. 6 in E flat major (after unknown source), BWV 597 []

Karl Richter (Organ) [Silbermann]

Archiv Produktion

1973

CD / TT: 59:00

Recorded at rlesheim Cathedral, near Basle, Switzerland.
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R-7

J.S. Bach: Dorische Toccata und Fugue - Passacaglia

Toccata & Fugue in D minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 [15:42]
Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 [15:26]
Chorale Partita Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig, BWV 768 [19:32]

Karl Richter (Organ) [Silbermann]

Archiv Produktion

1978

CD / TT: 50:35

Recorded at Dom, Freiburg (Saxony), Germany. Included in Box Set [R-4].
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R-8

J.S. Bach: Orgelwerke

Toccata & Fugue F major, BWV 540 []
Prelude & Fugue in B minor, BWV 544: Prelude []
Prelude & Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 []
Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C major, BWV 564 []
Fantasia in G major, BWV 572 []
Chorale Prelude Kommst du nun Jesu, vom Himmel, BWV 650 []
Chorale Prelude Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654 []

Karl Richter (Organ)

TDK (J)

Feb 1979

CD / TT: 76:00

Recorded live in Japan.

K-1

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

London / Telefunken / Teldec

Jan 1956

CD / TT: 44:36 / 44:55

1^st recording of Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by K. Richter.
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K-2

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations; Partitas Nos. 1-6

1. Partitas BWV 825-830 []
2. Goldberg Variations BWV 988 [44:40]

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Teldec

Jan 1958 [2]; 1960 [1]

2-CD / TT:

2^nd recording of Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by K. Richter.
Review: Karl Richter Performs Bach’s Partitas & Goldbergs
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.de | Amazon.de [Partitas]

K-3

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Altus/NHK

Apr 1969

CD / TT: 74:25

3^rd recording of Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by K. Richter.
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K-4

Bach: Works for Cembalo

Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 []
Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 []
Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906 []
Toccata No. 6 in G minor, BWV 915 []
Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971 []

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Archiv Produktion

1969

CD / TT: ~ 50:00

K-5

J.S. Bach: Goldberg-Variationen

Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Archiv / Deutsche Grammophon

Apr 1970

CD / TT: 77:16 / 77:28 / 79:29

4^th recording of Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by K. Richter.
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K-6

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

TDK (J)

Feb 1979

CD / TT:

5^th recording of Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by K. Richter. Recorded live at the Ishibashi Memorial Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
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H-1

J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Cantata, BWV 4

Sonata for for flute & continuo in G minor, BWV 1020 [11:50]
Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1030 [18:49]
Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 2 in E flat major, BWV 1031 [11:03]

Aurele Nicolet (Flute); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Teldec

1963

CD / TT: 65:33

Other works: Cantata BWV 4 & sonata by C.P.E. Bach.
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H-2

J.S. Bach: Seshs Sonaten für Violins und Cembalo

Sonatas for violin & keyboard BWV 1014-1019 []

Schneiderhan (Violin); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Archiv Produktion

1966

2-LP / TT:

H-3

J.S. Bach: Seshs Sonaten für Violins und Cembalo

Sonatas for violin & keyboard BWV 1014-1019 []

Kogan (Violin); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Melodyia

1972

2-LP / TT:

H-4

J.S. Bach: Flöten-Sonaten

Sonate sor solo flute in A minor, BWV 1013 []
Sonata for for flute & continuo in G minor, BWV 1020
Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1030 []
Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 2 in E flat major, BWV 1031 []
Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 3 in A major, BWV 1032 []

Aurele Nicolet (Flute); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Archiv Produktion

1973

CD / TT:

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H-5

J.S. Bach: Drei Sonaten für Querflöte und Basso continuo

Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 4 in C major, BWV 1033 []
Sonata for flute & continuo No. 5 in E minor, BWV 1034 []
Sonata for flute & continuo No. 6 in E major, BWV 1035 []

Aurele Nicolet (Flute); Karl Richter (Harpsichord); Fink

Archiv Produktion

1973

LP / TT:

O-1

J.S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos

1. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 []
2. Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1061 []
3. Concerto for 3 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1064 []
4. Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor, BWV 1065 []

Karl Richter

Ansbach Bach Week Soloists Union

Karl Richter [1-4], Eduard Müller [2-4], Gerhard Aeschbacher [3-4], Heinrich Gurtner [4]

Teldec

1955

TT: 73:00

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O-2

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6

Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 [22:13, 12:55, 13:19, 17:54, 21:22, 18:26]

Karl Richter

Karl Richter and his Chamber Orchestra

Adolf Scherbaum (Trumpet); Klaus Schowchoe (Flute); Heinz Nordbruch (Oboe); Friedrich Wührer (Violin); Fritz Sommer (Violoncello)

Teldec / Apex

1958

2-CD / TT: 106:09

Review: Review: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 5 - conducted by Karl Richter
Buy this album at: Amazon.com [1-6], Amazon.com [1, 2, 5] | Amazon.de [1, 2, 5] | Amazon.de [1-6] | Amazon.de [1-6] | Amazon.com [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set]

O-3

J.S. Bach: Air & Badinerie - Orchestral Suiten

Orchestral Suites BWV 1066-1069 [92:28]
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056 = [O-6]
Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor, BWV 1065 = [O-6]

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

-

Archiv Produktion / Deutsche Grammophon

1960-1961

CD / TT:

Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.de | Amazon.de | Amazon.de [1, 2, 4] | Amazon.de [2-3] | Amazon.de [1-2] | Amazon.com [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set]

O-4

Bach:

Concerto for 2 violins, strings & continuo in D minor ("Double"), BWV 1043 []
Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C minor, BWV 1060 []

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

BWV 1043: Otto Büchner (Violin); Kurt Guntner (Violin)
BWV 1060: Karl Richter (Harpsichord); Hedwig Bilgram (Harpsicord)

Archiv Produktion

1963

O-5

J.S. Bach: Brandenburgische Konzerte u.a.

1-6. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 [94:37]
7. Concerto for oboe d'amore, harpsichord, strings & continuo A major, BWV 1055R []
8. Concerto for violin, oboe, strings & continuo in C minor, BWV 1060R []

Karl Richter

Münchner Bach-Orchester

1-6: Hansheinz Schneeberger (Violin); Aurele Nicolet (Flute); Hans-Martin Linde (Recorder); Gunther Holler (Recorder); Manfred Clement (Oboe); Pierre Thibaud (Trumpet); Hermann Baumann (Horn); Werner Meyendorf (Horn); Kurt-Christian Stier (Viola); Ingo Sinnhoffer (Viola); Oswald Uhl (Viola da gamba); Johannes Fink (Viola de gamba); Karl Richter (Harpsichord); Hedwig Bilgram (Harpsichord)
Manfred Clememt (Oboe d'amore) [7], Otto Büchner (Violin) [8]; Edgar Shann (Oboe) [8]

Archiv Produktion

1963 [8]; 1967 [1-6]; 1980 [7]

2-CD / TT: 125:40

Buy this album at: Amazon.com [1-3, 1055R, 1064R] | Amazon.de [1-6, 1055R, 1060R] | Amazon.de [4-6, 1060R] | Amazon.de [4-6] | Amazon.de [1-3] | Amazon.de [1-3, 1054, 1055R]

O-6

J.S. Bach: Die 13 Cembalokonzerte [Box-Set]

1. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 []
2. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053 []
3. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 3 in D major, BWV 1054 []
4. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055 []
5. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056 []
6. Concerto for harpsichord, 2 recorders, strings & continuo No. 6 in F major, BWV 1057 []
7. Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 7 in G minor, BWV 1058 []
8. Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C minor, BWV 1060 []
9. Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1061 []
10. Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C minor, BWV 1062 []
11. Concerto for 3 harpsichords, strings & continuo in D minor, BWV 1063 []
12. Concerto for 3 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1064 []
13. Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor, BWV 1065 []

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

Karl Richter [1-13]; Hedwig Bilgram [8-12]; Iwona Fütterer [11-12]; Ulrike Schott [13] (Harpsichords)

Archiv Produktion

1972

3-CD / TT:

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O-7

Bach:

Concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord, strings & continuo in A minor ("Triple"), BWV 1044 []
Concerto for 3 violins, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1064R []

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

BWV 1044: Aurele Nicolet (Flute); Hetzel (Violin); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)
BWV 1064R: Hetzel (Violin); Forcherr (Violin); González (Violin)

Archiv Produktion

1980

LP / TT:

A-1

Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge [A-1]

Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080, orchestrared by Kurt Redel

Kurt Redel

Pro Arte Kammerorchester

Karl Richter (Harpsichord & Organ)

Duretet-Thompson LAG-1075-76
Telefunken
Wesminster WAL-220

1955

2-LP / TT:

A-2

J.S. Bach: Musikalisches Opfer

Musical Offering BWV 1079

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

Aurèle Nicolet (Flute); Otto Büchner (Violin); Kurt Guntner (Violin); Siegfried Meinecke (Viola); Fritz Kiskalt (Violoncello); Hedwig Bilgram (Organ); Karl Richter (Harpsichord)

Archiv Produktion

1963

CD / TT:

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B-1

J.S. Bach: 6 Brandenburgische Konzerte; 4 Ouvertüren; Tripelkonzert BWV 1044 [Box-Set]

Includes: Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 [O-2], Orchestral Suites BWV 1066-1069 [O-3], Concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord, strings & continuo in A minor ("Triple"), BWV 1044 [O-7]

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

See above

Archiv

3-CD

Buy this album at: Amazon.com [Box Set] | Amazon.de [Box Set]

S-1

Toccata and Fugue: Bach Organ Music

Selections from [R-4]

Trio Sonata No. 5 in C major, BWV 529 [17:15]
Trio Sonata No. 5 in C major, BWV 529 [17:15]
Prelude & Fugue in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552 [15:02]
Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 [8:56]
Chorale Prelude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 [5:51]
Chorale Prelude Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650 [3:38]

Karl Richter (Organ)

Deutsche Grammophon

1964-1978

CD / TT:

Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.de

S-2

J.S. Bach: Toccata & Fuge - Famous Organ Works

Selections from [R-4], [R-6]

Toccata & Fugue in D minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 [15:42]
Fantasia & Fugue in G minor ("Great"), BWV 542 [12:36]
Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 [8:56]
Concerto No. 2 in A minor (after Antonio Vivaldi), BWV 593 [11:42]
Concerto No. 4 in C major (after Duke Johann Ernst), BWV 595 [4:04]
Chorale Prelude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 [5:51]
Chorale Prelude Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650 [3:38]

Karl Richter (Organ)

Deutsche Grammophon

1964-1978

CD / TT: 65:25

Review: Famous Bach Organ Works from Karl Richter
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S-3

Bach J.S: Harpsichord Concertos

Selections from [O-6]

Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053 []
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 3 in D major, BWV 1054 []
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055 []
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 7 in G minor, BWV 1058 []
Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C minor, BWV 1060 []

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

See above

Deutsche Grammophon

1972

CD / TT:

Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.de | Amazon.de

S-4

J.S. Bach: Meisterwerke Vol. 13

Selections from [O-6]

Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 []
Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1061 []
Concerto for 3 harpsichords, strings & continuo in C major, BWV 1064 []
Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor, BWV 1065 []

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Orchester

See above

Deutsche Grammophon

1972

CD / TT:

Buy this album at: Amazon.de

The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (October 2006 - March 2010)
Thanks to contributors: John Simkiss (January 2009)

Karl Richter: Short Biography | Münchener Bach-Chor
Recordings of Vocal Works: Part 1 | Part 2 | Recordings of Instrumental Works | General Discussions | Richter’ Video
Vocal Works: BWV 232 - K. Richter | BWV 244 - K. Richter | BWV 245 - K. Richter | BWV 248 - K. Richter
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: Famous Bach Organ Works from Karl Richter | Karl Richter Performs Bach’s Partitas & Goldbergs | Review: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 5 - conducted by K. Richter
Table of recordings by BWV Number