Album insights
Karl Richter's 1965 interpretation of Bach's Christmas Oratorio stands out among the numerous recordings. Praised for his ensembles, the Munich Bach Choir and the Munich Bach Orchestra, Richter is also acclaimed for his exceptional solo vocalists and instrumentalists. This recording serves as one of the last musical legacies of tenor Fritz Wunderlich, who tragically passed away a few months later, just before what would have been his 90th birthday in September. It marked Richter's second recording of the piece, showcasing a youthful vigor and remarkable clarity not present in his earlier rendition. Particularly noteworthy is the stellar quartet of soloists featuring Wunderlich, Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, and Franz Crass.