Danny Elfman (1953) is the final
American composer we’ll look at this month on Clef Notes. Known for his film
scores, Elfman got a late start in composition. It wasn’t until the 1970s when
he was in Paris with his older brother that the two formed a music group known
as “Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo.” Elfman’s work with this group made him
realize that he not only had an interest in writing music, but was rather good
at it.
Film director Tim Burton happened to be
a fan of Oingo Boingo, and eventually became acquainted with Elfman and asked
him to collaborate on Pee-wee’s Big
Adventure (1985). This was the start of a lasting relationship between
Elfman and Burton, the composer writing music for hits such as Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), and Nightmare
Before Christmas (1993).
But does Elfman compose anything besides
scores for monster and superhero films? Check out his score to Good Will Hunting (1997), one of my
personal favorites.
