Jan Reetze
PETER THOMAS
Auf den Spuren des Sound-Astronauten
(On the Traces of the Sound Astronaut)
Hardcover, circa 240 pages
Verlag Andreas Reiffer, Meine 2027
ISBN 978-3-910335-62-2
Book in German language!
To be released March 8, 2027
Pre-order here.
Everyone knows them—the sounds of Peter Thomas (1925–2020). Few composers shaped the soundtracks of 1960s and 70s Germany quite like he did. He composed music for around 500 film and television productions—from the smash-hit crime dramas of the era (such as "Jerry Cotton", "Edgar Wallace", "Winnetou", and "Melissa" to series like "Derrick" and "Der Kommissar". The sci-fi series "Raumpatrouille" ("Space Patrol") likely would not have achieved cult status without his music. Often, his scores outshone the productions themselves, and acts such as Pulp, Pizzicato Five, Röyksopp, Die Fantastischen Vier, and DJ Spinna have long since discovered his futuristic sounds as a source for sampling.
Peter Thomas composed the soundtrack to the "Economic Miracle" years: songs for Esther & Abi Ofarim, Juliette Gréco, and Donna Summer, as well as schlager hits, cabaret pieces, music for stage and radio plays, and musicals.
Jan Reetze sheds light on both the well-known and lesser-known facets of this film composer, unfolding the story of an extraordinary career. His book is a journey through time in the world of cinema and television music; at the same time, it paints a panoramic picture of the German post-war cabaret scene, the dawn of the Krautrock era, and the role of music in film, radio, and television.
The book is in German language!