Archive of material relating to the pianist and music teacher Professor Willibald Richter

The German-born Richter (1860-1929) studied under Liszt, Haupt, Lebert, Mischalek, Oskar and Joachim, the last of whose protégé he became. He came to England in the 1880s, and was based from 1887 in Leicester, where he founded the Leicester and County College of Music, and where 'Herr Richter's Chamber Concerts' went through at least eighteen annual series. As a pianist he was widely praised for his 'fine technique and temperament' (The Times) and 'real musicianship (Westminster Gazette). According to a Leicester Mercury newspaper report (below), Richter 'introduced to the city quite a number of famous artists'.The material presented here provides a large amount of information about a significant but neglected musician. Although aged, the large majority of items are in very good condition, with only a handful with significant damage or loss. A. Personal material, manuscripts and scores - Large certificate, in German, headed 'Unter Seiner Majestaet Wilhelm Koenigs von Preussen, Allerhoechstem Protectorate'. Enrolling Richter as 'Eleve der Königlichen Akademie der Künste', 1 October 1876. Signed by 'Hitzig' and 'W. Taubers', and with the Akademie's embossed stamp. With closed tear. - Signed certificate, 1894, enrolling Richter into the Music Publishing Co-operative Society, Limited - Large poster for the Leicestershire Sunday School Union, Third Grand Musical Festival, 'Hon. Conductor, Herr W. Richter'. On the reverse is a manuscript draft of a programme or another poster, beginning, 'Testimonial to Herr W. Richter. Temperance Hall, Wednesday March 27. 1901. The Friends of Herr Richter desire to celebrate the 14th. year of his work in Leicester and the neighbourhood, by some substantial Testimonial to him on the occasion of his last Grand Concert on March 27th. inst.'- Printed and stamped register of the grant of a burial plot to 'Wilhelm Richter of De Montfort street [...] Leicester'. Signed by the Mayor. - Card, by 'The Sorrowing Widow and Children', announcing Richter's death, 'Loved and Mourned by Many.' - Draft of letter by Richter, 1 January 1909, on letterheads of 'Mr. Willibald Richter's Chamber Concerts, Leister' and 'Leicester and County College of Music', to 'Mr. Carnegie', whom he describes as a 'gentleman of [...] unique standing', regarding his desire to 'initiate first class orchestra concerts'.- Long typewritten letter (draft?), 18 January 1917, from Richter to the Editor of the Musical Standard - Manuscript score, undated, of 'Der Wind | Worte von A. Beuiert (Flg. Bl. No. 3111) | Musik von Willibald Richter'. - Manuscript score, undated of ' im Liede | (Solace in Song) | Text von Saxenhausen (Karl Heinz) für ein Singstimmus mit Pianoforte | von Willibald Richter | English words by Frank Hopps.' - Short manuscript score, titled 'Violin Obbligato to 'Trost im Leide [sic]' - 4 typescripts of a total of 4 libretti (by Richter?). One ('Russian Cradle-Song') is quite heavily amended; two have the original German with English translations. - 3 short printed scores, undated, for 'Part Songs', one with the stamp of the Leicester Glee Club, and another ('Burnsiana') marked 'corrected' and with autograph dedication by Richter to Lady Mary Hamilton. - Short printed score, undated, for a composition of the Lord's Prayer by Richter - Autograph notes on music, by Richter, in German, over 20 folio pages. - Autograph notes on music, by Richter, in English, over 17 folio pages. Includes 'Address' and 'For third concert, Ladies Musical Club, Dec. 15/08'. - Printed score of Rest in the Lord by W. Richter. Specially composed for E. W. May 1st, 1899. Brittle and in poor condition, with loss around one corner. B. Correspondence with Chappell & Co. of New Bond Street13 items, 1905-1927, the first 12 from the firm, relating to the publishing by them of three works of Richter's: Eavesdropping; Characterstück; and Waltzer Poesien. The last from Richter proposing the publication of another of his compositions. - 3 slips (2 from 1905 and 1 from 1915) acknowledging the signing by Richter of copies of his work - 1 Manuscript letter from the firm ('H. B.') to Richter, 1909 - 6 Typed Letters from the firm to Richter, 1909-1924, the first 5 signed on its behalf by director R. Goodman- 2 Royalty Accounts (accompanying the last two of the above), 1915 and 1924, for works by Richter - 1 Autograph Letter Signed (draft?) from Richter to the firm, 15 August 1927, requesting 'an appointment respecting the publication of a composition of mine. As this particular piece requires some explanation in detail it would be useless for me to send it in [...]. C. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1881-1930 - 15 items of correspondence in English, 1897-1930, contributors including: Handel Brothers; E. J. Dowsall; Roger Eckersley, Director of Programmes, British Broadcasting Corporation; Guildhall School of Music; C. Kirsch-Puricelli( to Boby ; C. B. Knight of the Leicester Glee Club (2); Robert Newman, Manager, Queens Hall Orchestra; Arthur Wakerley; J. White, Secretary, Willcocks & Co. Ltd, music publishers (3); Joseph Williams; G. W. Worrall (2)- 4 items of correspondence in German, 1881-1926, contributors including Paul David; H. Schumann of Schumann & Co., bankers; J. Warshaw D. Programmes, 1887-1928- German programme for an 1877 concert under Joachim at the Konigliche Akademie der Kunste zu Berlin, featuring Richter playing Bach. - 42 English programmes, mostly covering the years 1887-1907. Including: Harrogate Musical Festival; Hinckley: St George's Hall; Kettering: Corn Exchange; Leicester: Association Hall, Freemasons' Hall, Sunday School Union, Temperance Hall, Ladies' Musical Club; Leeds: The Albert Hall; London: Bechstein Hall, Grotrian Hall, Princes' Hall, Queen's Hall, St Martin-in-the-Field; Peterborough: Grand Assembly Room; Sheffield: Montgomery Hall; Stourbridge Clef Club. - Two different handbill advertisements; one, with photograph, stating that 'Prof. Willibald Richter accepts engagements for Concerts and At Homes; the other stressing the advantages of his 'Rational System of Pianoforte Playing'. - 4 newspaper cuttings relating to Richter. E. Lilian Richter Rushworth - 20 items relating to Richter's daughter the soprano singer Lilian Richter Rushworth, including photographs, letters to her (six from the BBC), and two programmes. A more readable description may be sent on application.