Darren Criss surprise serenades composer Alan Menken at conference

Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who wrote the music for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and many more on Monday recieved this year's Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Maestro Award.

Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde presented Menken with the award after introducing him as "the Babe Ruth of composers."

"My favorite part about [his] career is that at some point in the '80s, BMI gave [him] a lifetime achievement award for his work on Broadway -- and then he went on to win eight Academy Awards," Werde marveled from the stage.

In a lengthy chat that was heavy on wisecracks, Menken and Werde discussed Menken's early interest in songwriting (which eventually included inspiration from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan), his transition from Broadway to Disney, his non-Disney work (his song in this summer's Captain America: The First Avenger, said Menken, was "deliberately an homage to Irving Berlin") and his multiple Oscar wins.

During the Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference, Glee's Darren Criss surprised Menken with a serenade.

"Just look at your songs / aren't they neat? Wouldn't you think your collection's complete?" Criss sang, reworking the lyrics to Menken's "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. "Wouldn't you think you're the guy, the guy who has everything?"

The medley concluded with an appearance from the voice of Jasmine herself, Lea Salonga.

Menken received multiple standing ovations from the audience, but perhaps Criss put it best: "How many Oscars can one bastard hold?” Criss sang to an eruption of laughter around the room. "He's got verses and bridges aplenty / Want an original song for your movie? He'll write 20."

More on the Menken chat here. Watch Darren Criss below.

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