Crossword Genius

Composer put line in short song: riff not requiring one (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carl orff

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'composer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'line in short song riff not requiring one' is the wordplay.
'line in short song' becomes 'carlo' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'not requiring' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'one' becomes 'i' (roman numeral).
'riff' with 'i' taken away is 'rff'.
'carlo'+'rff'='CARL ORFF'

'put' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for carl orff that I've seen is " German composer of "Carmina Burana"".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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