Karl Münchinger (May 29, 1915 – March 13, 1990) was a German conductor.
He was born in Stuttgart, Germany and studied at the Hochschule für Musik in his hometown. At first, he was a frequent guest conductor, supporting himself as an organist and church choir director. In 1941, he became principal conductor of the Hanover Symphony, a post he held until 1943. He held no other post until the end of World War II.
In 1945, he founded the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra . He built the group into a respectable touring ensemble, making their Paris debut in 1949 and their American debut in San Francisco in 1953.
He restored Baroque traditions to the interpretation of Bach's music.
In 1977, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra became the first German ensemble to visit the People's Republic of China. Münchinger retired in 1988 and died two years later.
