Composer of the week - Danny Elfman:

Daniel Robert Elfman, or more famously known as “Danny” Elfman, is an American composer often collaborating with the director Tim Burton. Famous works by Danny Elfman are, among others, his music for “Batman” (Tim Burton), the melody for the main titles in “The Simpsons”, “Edward Scissorhands”, “Spider-man” (the first and second), “The Nightmare before Christmas”, “Planet of the Apes” and “Men in Black” (the first, second and third).

Photo of Danny Elfman, taken from Wikimedia Commons.

Some of Danny Elfman’s most recent works include the soundtrack for “Oz the Great and Powerful” (American fantasy adventure film from 2013), “Frankenweenie” (Tim Burton’s newest animation movie from 2012) and “Silver Linings Playbook” (American romantic comedy-drama film from 2012).

Danny Elfman was born May 29, 1953, in the American city Los Angeles, located in the state California. After the creation of a ska band during his high school years, performances with "Le Grand Magic Circus" in France after following his brother, a musical journey through Africa, and Balinese music lessons at CalArts ("California Institue of the Arts"), Danny Elfman started his musical career in 1972 when he joined the American New Wave band called "Oingo Boingo" (originally called "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo"), founded by his brother Richard Elfman. This led to Danny Elfman's first film score for his brother's debut movie "Forbidden Zone". Danny Elfman remained a part of "Oingo Boingo" until 1995.

Danny Elfman and Tim Burton started to work together when Danny Elfman in 1985 composed the music for one of Tim Burton's earliest movies: "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". This collaboration led to the, for me, beautiful music found in the scores of Tim Burton's dark movies. Examples of this are: "Edward Scissorhands", "Corpse Bride" and "The Nightmare before Christmas". 

Danny Elfman is one of my all-times favourite composers. I find his music for Tim Burton's dark and gothic movies hauntingly beautiful. I think likewise that his music for other genra of films is really good, for instance "The Planet of the Apes", "Spider-Man" and "Big Fish". All in all, Danny Elfman is for me a great treasure in the world of film music.

Question of the day: 

What is your personal favourite soundtrack by Danny Elfman?