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.
Almost Like Being In Love
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a rare mood I'm in!
Why, it's almost like being in love
There's a smile on my face
For the whole human race
Why it's almost like being in love
Like a bell that is ringing for me
And from the way that I feel
When the bell starts to peal
I would swear I was falling
I could swear I was falling
It's almost like being in love
The lyrics of Mantovani's song "Almost Like Being In Love" capture the feeling of falling in love. The song conveys a sense of joy and excitement at the prospect of love. The singer is in a rare mood, feeling happy and alive. The music of life seems to be ringing out, and the singer is caught up in the moment.
The first verse establishes the singer's enthusiastic mood. He proclaims, "What a day this has been!" and notes that he is in a "rare mood." This sets the stage for the rest of the song, which describes the feeling of being in love. The chorus repeats the phrase "almost like being in love," emphasizing the sense of excitement and wonder that comes with falling in love.
The second verse expands on the happiness that the singer is feeling. He notes that there is a smile on his face "for the whole human race." This suggests that love has given the singer a new perspective on the world. Everything seems brighter and more beautiful. The bridge of the song likens the feeling of falling in love to the sound of a bell ringing. This imagery captures the sense of wonder and awe that comes with the realization that one is falling in love.
Overall, Mantovani's song "Almost Like Being In Love" conveys the exhilaration of falling in love. The lyrics capture the sense of joy and excitement that comes with the realization that one has found a new love.
Line by Line Meaning
What a day this has been!
Today has been an incredible day filled with happiness and positivity
What a rare mood I'm in!
I am in an uncommonly good mood, feeling cheerful and content
Why, it's almost like being in love
My mood and the way I am feeling is comparable to the feelings of being in love
There's a smile on my face
I am smiling, feeling joyful and optimistic
For the whole human race
My happiness and positivity is radiating to all those around me
Why it's almost like being in love
Once again, my mood is akin to the emotions of being in love
All the music of life seems to be
Every aspect of life, like music, is enhancing my feelings of joy and contentment
Like a bell that is ringing for me
Life is calling out to me, filled with opportunities and positivity
And from the way that I feel
Based on my current emotions and feelings
When the bell starts to peal
As opportunities and positivity continue to come my way
I would swear I was falling
I feel like I am falling, but in a good way, as my positive emotions overwhelm me
I could swear I was falling
Repeating the same sentiment as before
It's almost like being in love
Once again, the emotions I am experiencing are similar to those of being in love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind