Martin Böttcher died age 91

[Skybird]

Maybe a name not that much known outside Middle Europe and Germany, he nevertheless was a giant in what he did, he was composer and arranger of musical scores and soundtracks for film and TV, and it is not exaggerated to say that his relevance and fame over here compares to that of Henry Mancini in America. He also ran his own band at times. His style and sound I would settle in the range of James Last, John Barry and Henry Mancini, sometimes even with a little flavour from Ennio Morricone. In Germany, he is especially famous for his many soundtracks for the Karl May movies, which are beautiful for sure and even poetic, but these in no way are all that is to know about this man. Chances are that even people form abroad who never heard of his name and never have seen a German Karl May Wester, nevertheless have listened to one or some tunes by him. He was honory member of the Max Steiner Society, beside big names like Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra. He won many prizes and awards and was even rewarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz for his life's work. He wrote the soundtracks for over 50 cinema movies and over 300 TV productions and series.

Thanks for the many oh so good memories! His tunes echo on in the soul of those of us us who grew up with them since our childhood.


Salute with what without doubt must be his most famous: Old Shatterhand's Theme

[Skybird]

Verflixt, bin echt bedient. Too many memories.

[Jimbuna]

Never knew a lot about his music but what I do remember is I usually compared him to Hans Zimmer.

RIP

[Commander Wallace]

Rest in Peace.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Never knew a lot about his music but what I do remember is I usually compared him to Hans Zimmer.

RIP

What I can actively recall of Hans Zimmer, are his military march-style and parading, stomping blockbuster themes only, but maybe I do not know him well enough then. Thus, this comparison makes me wonder, Böttcher and what I know of Zimmer, to me are two very different things.


These two are very typical für Böttcher'S style on TV productions. German TV without that would have been "unthinkable" in the 70s, 80s.









A nice general collection: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...AA8EC5FAF14E95

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Skybird

His style and sound I would settle in the range of James Last, John Barry and Henry Mancini, sometimes even with a little flavour from Ennio Morricone.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Never knew a lot about his music but what I do remember is I usually compared him to Hans Zimmer.

Look at it however you like - that's lofty company to be in.

Being an isolated insulated American I was unfamiliar with his name and his work, though I must have heard some of his work at one point or another considering all the movies I've seen. Thanks for making us aware of this, Sky.

[Skybird]

One curious note I forgot: since his youth, I assume due to the war, he was completely deaf on one ear.

He was prisoner of war, and during that time taught himself playing guitar. That was his personal ignition for musical liftoff. Originally he wanted to become a pilot.