Martin Böttcher (June 17, 1927 – April 19, 2019) was a German composer, arranger, and orchestra leader, best known for his iconic film scores. Born in Berlin, he developed an early passion for music and initially trained as a pilot before turning to composition.
In the 1950s, Böttcher became a key figure in German film music, particularly for his work on the popular Winnetou films based on Karl May’s novels. His evocative orchestral themes, blending symphonic, jazz, and folk elements, became some of the most recognizable film scores in German cinema history. The Old Shatterhand Melody and Winnetou’s Theme remain his most famous compositions.
Beyond film, Böttcher composed for television, including the long-running crime series Derrick and Der Alte. His arrangements and orchestrations displayed a unique ability to create atmospheric and emotionally engaging soundscapes.
With a career spanning over six decades, Martin Böttcher left a lasting legacy in European film music. His work continues to inspire composers and is beloved by fans of classic cinema.
89 recordings by Martin Böttcher you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
(Is This The Way To) Amarillo • A Man And A Woman • Aber Dich Gibt’s Nur Einmal Für Mich • Adagio In G-Minor • Alte Freundschaften (Titelmusik) • Apanatschi • Baby, Bye Bye Aus ”Schöne Ferien” • Blumenmörder-Thema • Bonanza • Campo Limpo • Carnival • Charade • Chinla-River-Song • Cocodrillo • Crazy Daisy • Easy Going • Ein Märchen Aus ”Familienfest” • Ein Schöner Tag • Einsam • Endstation Liebe (Main Theme) • Es Muss Nicht Immer Kaviar Sein • Fernsehmelodie • Fiesta In Banana City • Fiesta In Belo Horizonte • Flowers Aus ”Siebenbirken” • Flucht • Forsthaus Falkenau • Friedhofsballade • Golden River • Grand Canyon-Melodie • Happy Teddy • High Noon • Himalaja Aus ”Siebenbirken” • Holidays For Bees • I Will Return • Ich Schlafe Mit Meinem Mörder • In Usa • Judy • Kara Ben Nemsi Effendi • Kriminalmuseum • Last Dance • Liebesmelodie • Liebesthema Aus ”Verliebte Ferien In Tirol” • Liebesthema Aus Winnetou I • Lili’s Melodie • Lovelights • Marianne’s Melody • Melodie Für Jessica • Midnight In Hamburg • Moonlight Melody • My Love Song Aus ”Der Lebensretter” • My Sunshine Aus ”Der Lebensretter” • Old Shatterhand-Melodie • Old Surehand-Melodie • Olé O’cangaceiro • Ölprinz-Melodie • Onda Marina • Open House Aus ”Pfarrer’s Kinder – Müller’s Vieh” • Sacramento • Salute Sardegna Aus ”Schöne Ferien” • Salute Sardegna From Tv-Series ”Schöne Ferien” • Salzburg Melodie • Schöne Ferien • Schöne Ferien (Titelmusik) • Schut-Melodie • Schwarz Auf Weiß • Segeln • Seven Trees Aus ”siebenbirken” • Singapur Aus ”schöne Ferien” • Snow Frolic • Sonderdezernat K1 • Spiel Mir Das Lied Vom Tod (The Harmonica Man) • Strangers In The Night • Stranger’s Serenade • Tausender-Melodie • The Man I Love • The Shadow Of Your Smile • The Young New Mexican Puppeteer • Theme From ”Love Story” • This Guy’s In Love With You • This Is My Song • Tramp-Melodie • Traumfrau Aus ”flohr Und Die Traumfrau” • Unter Geiern • Vera’s Melodie • Wedding Day Aus ”Der Lebensretter_ • Winnetou-Melodie • Winter-Serenade Aus ”Familienfest” • Wonderland Of Love •
