He was also musical director for a large number of musicals and other plays, including ones by Noel Coward. After the war, he concentrated on recording, and eventually gave up live performance altogether. He worked with arranger and composer Ronnie Binge, who developed the "cascading strings" sound (also known as the "Mantovani sound").[citation needed] His records were regulars in stores selling hi-fi stereo equipment, as they were produced and arranged for stereo reproduction. In 1952 Binge ceased to arrange for Mantovani, but his distinctive sound remained.
He recorded for Decca until the mid-1950s, and then London Records. He recorded over 50 albums on that label, many of which were top-40 hits. These included Song from Moulin Rouge and Cara Mia, which reached No. 1 in Britain in 1953 and 1954, respectively. The latter was also Mantovani's first U.S. Top Ten hit.
In the United States, between 1955 and 1972, he released over 40 albums with 27 reaching the Top 40 and 11 the Top Ten. His biggest success was with the album Film Encores, which made it to No. 1 in 1957. Similarly, Mantovani Plays Music From 'Exodus' and Other Great Themes made it to No. 2 in 1961 and sold over one million albums.
In 1959, Mantovani starred in his own syndicated television series, Mantovani, which was produced in England and which aired in the United States. 39 episodes were filmed.[1]
Mantovani made his last recordings in 1975.[citation needed]
[edit] Music style and influences
The cascading strings technique developed by Binge became Mantovani's hallmark in such hits arranged by Binge as "Charmaine". Binge developed this technique to replicate the echo experienced in venues such as cathedrals by arrangement alone, in an echo-free surrounding.
Author Joseph Lanza describes Mantovani's string arrangements as the most "rich and mellifluous" of the emerging light music style during the early 1950s. He stated that Mantovani was a leader in the use of new studio technologies to "create sound tapestries with innumerable strings", and that "the sustained hum of Mantovani's reverberated violins produced a sonic vaporizer foreshadowing the synthesizer harmonics of space music."[2]
In 1958 Mantovani and his family bought a holiday home in Bournemouth in Durley Chine Road, then in 1961 acquired a new property in Burton Road (now part of Poole). He moved, finally, to a new home in Martello Road in Poole.
Since his death at a care home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1980, his music has enjoyed a minor revival,[citation needed] with much of his catalogue reappearing on CD and an orchestra bearing his name performing concert tours. The saleability of the Mantovani name is underscored by new recordings being made as the Mantovani Orchestra. Unfortunately[neutrality is disputed], a large number of CDs are also available of unauthorized recordings, billed as Mantovani or Mantovani Orchestra.[citation needed] There have also been CDs released under the Mantovani name of recordings made by others while Mantovani was still alive.[citation needed] Thus, consumers of this music are advised to familiarize themselves with the conductor's discography. Material with the London Records logo on it is apt to be genuine Mantovani, while other recordings are less likely to be actual Mantovani recordings.[citation needed]
The continued popularity of Mantovani's music is evident by the number of original albums which are being released, on labels such as Dutton-Vocalion, and by the many compilations available throughout the world. In 2008, as a result of successful, ongoing CD sales, amongst other contributing factors, the Mantovani Orchestra (performing from the original scores) was recreated for a tremendously successful historical tribute concert, sponsored by Bentley Motors, held at the Lighthouse, in Poole, England, on 27 January, conducted by Sam Newgarth, MBE. Much critical acclaim has led to the planning of a second concert, to take place in January 2009, at the same venue. There are four Mantovani websites in honour of the maestro, a written biography by Colin MacKenzie entitled Mantovani - A Lifetime In Music (ISBN 1-905226-19-5). For further information, please visit http://www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm; http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/torumonty; http://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk (re. ticket sales for 31 January 2009). A ten CD set 'The Wonderful World of Mantovani' was released in November 2008 in Japan (a link to the website in Japan may be found by visiting www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm), featuring many rare tracks which have never been released on CD before, in a superbly remastered format, and, following the success of the Mantovani Orchestra's 2008 concert, 'More MANTOVANI Magic' took place at Lighthouse in Poole, England, on 31 January 2009, again conducted by maestro Sam Newgarth MBE. The concert was sponsored by Poole Audi, and also with the generous support of Richard Cox.
A Very Precious Love
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is what you are to me
A stairway to a star
A night in Shangri-La
Of ecstasy
Lanterns of gold
Lanterns of blue
While I dance with you
An echo in the wind
(An echo in the wind)
Across the summer lake
(Across the summer lake)
Is saying you should know
That lanterns lose their glow
And hearts can break
(And hearts can break)
So hold me close, my darling
Then kiss me tenderly
And give your precious love
Your very precious love to me
So hold me close, my darling
Then kiss me tenderly
And give your precious love
Your very precious love to me
(My very precious love)
The song "A Very Precious Love" by Mantovani is a romantic ballad that describes the depth of love between two people. The singer describes his love as a precious treasure that is worth more than anything else in the world. The metaphor of a stairway to a star and a night in Shangri-La is used to express the incredible joy and happiness he feels with his partner. The lanterns of gold and blue add to the dreamlike quality of the song, evoking a sense of wonder and enchantment.
However, the singer acknowledges that nothing lasts forever. The echo across the summer lake reminds us of the transience of life and love. The lanterns lose their glow and hearts can break. Despite this, the singer asks his partner to hold him close and kiss him tenderly, to give him her precious love. The ending line of "My very precious love" reinforces the theme of the song as a declaration of love.
Overall, "A Very Precious Love" is a classic example of a romantic ballad, expressing the beauty and fragility of love. The use of metaphors and imagery adds to the dreamlike quality of the song, creating a sense of enchantment and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
A very precious love
The love between the singer and the person being addressed is incredibly valuable
Is what you are to me
The person being addressed is the source of the valuable love referred to in the previous line
A stairway to a star
The love between the singer and the person being addressed provides a path to great heights and possibilities
A night in Shangri-La
The love between the artist and the person being addressed is like experiencing the ultimate pleasure and paradise
Of ecstasy
The love between the artist and the person being addressed brings intense happiness and delight
Lanterns of gold
Golden lanterns are hanging around, possibly symbolizing prosperity or hope
Lanterns of blue
Blue lanterns are hanging around, possibly symbolizing mystery or sadness
Twinkle in the shadows
The lanterns are shining and flickering in the darkness
While I dance with you
The artist is dancing with the person being addressed amid the lanterns
An echo in the wind
A sound that is similar to the artist's voice can be heard in nature
(An echo in the wind)
Reiterating that the previous line refers to an echo in the wind
Across the summer lake
The echo in the wind can be heard reverberating across a peaceful and scenic lake during summertime
(Across the summer lake)
Reiterating that the previous line refers to hearing echoes across a summer lake
Is saying you should know
The metaphorical wind echo conveys an important message
That lanterns lose their glow
The lanterns will inevitably not shine as brightly as they currently are
And hearts can break
Emphasizing that relationships can end or turn painful
(And hearts can break)
Reiterating that love can be vulnerable and not last forever
So hold me close, my darling
As a result of the previous lines, the singer pleads for the person being addressed to embrace them tightly
Then kiss me tenderly
The singer requests a loving kiss that echoes the tender nature of the embrace
And give your precious love
The artist asks the person being addressed to express their love
Your very precious love to me
Reiterating that the artist wishes to receive the valuable love of the person being addressed
(My very precious love)
The artist regards the love referred to as personally belonging to them, emphasizing the closeness and importance of the relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMMY FAIN, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind