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.
Bewitched
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a fool can have her charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old situation
Lately I've not slept a wink
Since this crazy situation
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A whimpering, simpering child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I lost my heart, but what of it
She is cold I agree
She might laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
The lyrics to Mantovani's song "Bewitched" describe the singer's infatuation with a woman who is a "fool" but nonetheless charming. The singer is aware of the foolish nature of their love but cannot help but show it like "a babe in arms." The situation is causing the singer distress and insomnia, as they are "bewitched, bothered and bewildered."
The singer acknowledges that they have lost their heart to this woman, even though she may not reciprocate their feelings. They are willing to do anything to win her over, including serenading her and bringing "spring" to her. Despite the potential for humiliation, the singer remains besotted with this woman, unable to resist their bewitching charm.
Overall, the song explores the irrationality of love and how it can overwhelm and bewilder even the most rational of individuals. The singer's unrequited love for a woman who may not even be worth their time is a relatable theme for many people who have experienced the all-consuming nature of infatuation.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a fool and don't I know it
I am aware that she is foolish.
But a fool can have her charms
Even though she is foolish, she still has qualities that are attractive to me.
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am deeply in love with her and it shows in my behavior.
Like a babe in arms
My love for her is childlike and innocent.
Love's the same old situation
This situation of being in love is one that happens frequently and is familiar.
Lately I've not slept a wink
I have not been able to sleep recently.
Since this crazy situation
This love-induced state of mind.
Has me on the blink
It has me emotionally unstable.
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I find myself excited and captivated by her again.
A whimpering, simpering child again
I am acting like a whiny and immature child in this situation.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am under a spell, bothered and confused by my love for her.
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
I was unable to sleep because of my emotions.
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
My love for her was so strong that it kept me up at night.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am still confused and unsettled by my love for her.
I lost my heart, but what of it
I have given my heart to her, regardless of what could happen.
She is cold I agree
I acknowledge that she is not reciprocating my feelings.
She might laugh, but I love it
Even if she is laughing at me, I still love her.
Although the laugh's on me
Even though I am the object of her laughter.
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
I will express my love for her through music and bring happiness to her.
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
I hope to be able to hold onto her and be with her in the future.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am still in a state of confusion and emotional turmoil because of my love for her.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sang nguyen
Heart melting melody from heaven.
cruachen
Bill Snyder's version is still the best.