Klaus Doldinger, the esteemed German musician and composer known for creating the iconic soundtracks for films such as “Das Boot” and “The NeverEnding Story,” has passed away at the age of 89.
His family confirmed the news of his death to the German press agency DPA. Doldinger reportedly took his last breath on October 16.
Born in Berlin on May 12, 1936, Doldinger initially received training in piano and clarinet. Following World War II, his musical direction shifted dramatically towards jazz, influenced by American soldiers stationed in Germany.
Having experienced the Nazi dictatorship, Doldinger later articulated his artistic philosophy in his 2022 autobiography, “Made in Germany. Mein Leben für die Musik.” He resolved to create music that one “couldn’t march to, or click your heels together to.”
His distinctive talent found significant success in film with Wolfgang Petersen’s submarine drama, “Das Boot,” released in 1981. Doldinger’s sparse, electronically-tinged soundtrack for the film earned him widespread acclaim.
He crafted a unique soundscape using early synthesizers alongside a minimal orchestra of strings, brass, and percussion. This arrangement expertly conveyed the claustrophobic metallic environment of a World War II U-boat, characterized by sonar pings and engine drones.