Simpsons composer Alf Clausen has been let go from the show after 27 years.
According to Variety, producer Richard Sakai informed Clausen the show was looking for a different musical direction. Clausen uses a 35-piece orchestra, something creator Matt Groening insisted upon, and it was rumored that cost-cutting might have played a part in his dismissal.
The composer was responsible for some of the series’ greatest original music, including “Can I Borrow a Feeling?“and the Planet of the Apes musical. He also composed music for Moonlighting and Alf. Check out his most essential work below.
The best Alf Clausen songs from The Simpsons
1) The epic-as-hell Apes musical
2) Kirk Van Houten’s failed solo single
3) Apu’s sweeping ode to his business
4) Mr. Burns’ villainous Beauty and the Beast parody
5) The Kamp Krusty song
6) Clausen’s dynamite homage to Springfield
7) The rollicking Stonecutters anthem
8) Who shot Mr. Burns? It wasn’t Tito Puente
9) The heartbreaking Mother Simpson theme
10) The Canyonero jingle
11) The Scorpio credits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1VQeJ_U198
12) The Schoolhouse Rock parody
13) Kent Brockman’s Eye on Springfield theme
Clausen was active on Twitter in the wake of the news, responding to fans.
Cheers! https://t.co/GCoz1AYl8o
— Alf Clausen (@TheAlfClausen) August 31, 2017
The 29th season premieres Oct. 1, and will apparently still include Danny Elfman’s theme. A new composer has not been named.
H/T Variety
