Karl Richter (October 15, 1926 - February 15, 1981) was a German conductor and organist.

He was born in Plauen and studied first in Dresden and then Leipzig. He later moved to Munich where he taught at conducted the Munich Bach Choir and Munich Bach Orchestra. He conducted a wide range of music, but is best remembered today for his interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach music. He avoided the fluctuations in tempo which was one characteristic of the prevailing Romantic manner of conducting Bach, but otherwise made no attempt to be historically authentic in his performances, using modern instruments right to the end of his career.