The Orfeo Barockorchester has released a recording featuring four symphonies by Franz Xaver Richter, a composer linked to the Mannheim school. This school, based in the German city of Mannheim, was crucial in shaping classical symphonies during the mid-1700s. Richter, who lived from 1709 to 1789, joined the court school in Mannheim in the 1740s and became a prominent figure there. Though his music is noted for its wit and humor, the only known portrait of him suggests a more austere appearance. The recording includes four of Richter’s 69 symphonies, among them the "Singonia con fuga in D minor," composed around 1760. This symphony is considered unusual, as it begins with a dramatic adagio that evokes the style of an oratorio or Passion, followed by a solemn fugue. The work also features a calming andante and a jubilant presto. Another piece included is the Symphony in B-flat major from 1750, which is scored for strings and harpsichord continuo, reflecting late Baroque influences and showcasing Richter’s sense of humor. Two other symphonies, the D minor op.3 n°4 and the G major op.4 n°6, are typical of the Mannheim period. These works feature stormy allegros, lyrical andantes, and dramatic endings. The introductory movement of the G major op.4 n°6 is described as resembling an opera overture, adding a theatrical flair to the composition. The recording is conducted by Michi Gaigg, and the Orfeo Barockorchester is praised for its passionate and expressive performance of Richter’s music. According to one account, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart admired Richter’s talent, describing the “fire” of his music, which suggests that Richter’s influence extended beyond his own time.