Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announced that it has signed a global publishing agreement with world-renowned songwriter and composer Alan Menken. Best known for his famed Disney and Broadway scores and songs, Menken has won eight Academy Awards®, more than any other living composer — as well as eleven Grammy® Awards, a Tony® Award, seven Golden Globes®, the Drama Desk Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, London’s Evening Standard Award, the Olivier, Outer Critics Circle Awards and numerous other honors.
“I’ve had so many exciting chapters in my career; too many to mention, without making me feel really old. But nothing has excited me more than embarking on this new chapter in association with Warner/Chappell Music,” said Menken.
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music said: “Alan is unquestionably one of the greatest songwriters and composers of our lifetime, and his commitment to his craft represents everything we stand for at Warner/Chappell. We’re honored to count him among our first-rate theatre repertoire, and excited for the many opportunities ahead.”
Kurt Deutsch, Senior Vice President, Theatrical & Catalog Development for Warner/Chappell Music, added: “Alan has an astonishing ability to capture the right emotion, melody and rhythm time after time. His work is responsible for not only bringing musicals to the mainstream, but for influencing aspiring songwriters and composers around the world. This is a tremendous win for WCM.”
Warner/Chappell will administer Menken’s entire catalog, including current and upcoming material, with the exception of select Disney works. Among Menken’s current projects are Broadway hit A Bronx Tale, based on the play by the same name; Disney Aladdin and a Guy Ritchie-directed live-action Aladdin movie.
WCM’s deep catalog in musical theatre includes songs written by legends such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, Charles Strouse, Comden and Green, Stephen Sondheim, and Rodgers and Hart—with a roster of notable composers including Lin-Manuel Miranda.
