Alan Menken has defined the sound of contemporary musical theater and film animation for four decades. His gift for melody combined with sophisticated harmonic language has earned him multiple Academy Awards, Grammys, and Tony Awards, with an output spanning Disney films, stage musicals, and concert works that have become standards in music education and performance.
Howard Ashman was a lyricist of uncommon wit and emotional intelligence. His partnership with Menken produced some of musical theater's most memorable songs, characterized by clever internal rhymes, singable melodies, and lyrics that advanced character and story simultaneously. His work set a new standard for how popular song could serve both entertainment and artistic depth.