"I remember when we wrote it, there was a huge amount of excitement. It gives such a lift to the whole project... basically saying 'That's the DNA we're going to be build from'": Alan Menken looks back on his biggest Disney movie compositions

Alan Menken sitting at a piano with a microphone.

Whether it's from your childhood favourite film, or from memories of your own children sat spellbound in front of the TV screen, chances are you're already familiar with the music of Alan Menken.

Menken has been composing professionally for over 50 years, and has written for a multitude of Broadway musicals and classic films, including box office hits like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Tangled and Aladdin.