Crossword Genius

Composer starts idea, occasionally (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

satie

'composer' is the definition.
(French composer Erik Satie)

'starts idea occasionally' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
'starts'+'idea'='startsidea'
The alternate letters of 'startsidea' are 'SATIE'.

(Other definitions for satie that I've seen before include "French composer (Trois Gymnopedies)" , "creative Frenchman" , "scorer" , "French composer of the Gymnopedies, d. 1925" , "posed by yours truly close to stage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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