The radio documentary, “The mysterious tracks of a cosmic runner,” is part of Radio National’s Radio Tonic Series and was produced by Jack Kerr. You can listen or download at the Radio National website
If you’re interested in tracking down the albums they’re released on Kosmischer Laufer.
This from the bio of the Kosmischer Laufer label:
“In East Germany in the early 1970’s Martin Zeichnete worked as a sound editor for DEFA, (Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft), the state-owned film studio. Like many young East Germans of the time he would listen furtively to West German radio at night and became infatuated with the Kosmische Musik or ‘Krautrock’ epitomised by the likes of Kraftwerk, Neu! and Cluster emerging from his neighbouring country. Martin, a keen runner, hit upon the idea of using the repetitive, motorik beats of this new music as a training aid for athletes.
After sharing his concept with colleagues Martin was taken from his studio to East Berlin, quizzed by the authorities about his ideas and, fearing the worst, was surprised to find himself put to work by the Nationales Olympisches Komitee immediately. Installed in a cold Berlin studio with the few electronic instruments the state could supply, (Martin asked for a Moog but was refused), he began one of the strangest journeys in music. Known to the government as State Plan 14.84L, Martin and his fellow musicians informally called it ‘Projekt Kosmischer Läufer’ (Cosmic Runner).
For the next 11 years Martin would be spirited to Berlin to work on tracks with little notice. He created hours of music fusing traditional rock instruments with synthesizers, early drum computers, tape slicing and looping techniques he and his engineer formulated themselves. His output included tracks for running at various paces, warm up pieces, ‘ambient’ music to play in gyms during training and pieces for artistic gymnastic routines.”
Jack Kerr, a fan of this cosmic music himself, had to know more. He followed the story of Kosmischer Läufer to Berlin to investigate. Starring Adrian Plitzco as the mysterious Martin Zeichnete.
Whether fact or fiction it’s a fascinating concept and a great documentary.
The picture is from a 2013 interview with Martin Zeichnete. Only one copy exists. It was cut into 120 pieces which went out with the first copies of Volume One of Kosmischer Läufer.
