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 Bothered and Bewildered
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 of Mantovani's song Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered speak of the turmoil and confusion that one can feel when in love with someone who might not reciprocate those feelings. The first two lines of the song acknowledge the main character's awareness that the woman he loves might not be the wisest choice, but he also recognizes her charms. He then goes on to acknowledge that he is undeniably in love with her, and this fact is clear to everyone, like a "babe in arms." The song continues to describe the emotional turmoil that he feels, stating that he hasn't been able to sleep and that the "crazy situation has [him] on the blink."
The chorus highlights his emotional state, as he repeats the phrase "Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I" several times throughout the song. He feels wild, beguiled, and like a "whimpering, simpering child." The second verse speaks to the idea that our main character can recognize the flaws in the woman he loves, acknowledging that she is cold and might even laugh at him. However, he cannot help but love her despite these flaws, even if that means the "laugh's on me."
In the third verse, he talks about his longing for her and his desire to win her over. He is so in love that he will sing to her and bring spring to her, all while longing for the day when he can finally cling to her.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a fool and don't I know it
I'm aware that she's foolish, but still find her charming.
But a fool can have her charms
Despite her foolishness, she has qualities that are attractive.
I'm in love and don't I show it
I'm unabashedly in love and it shows in my actions.
Like a babe in arms
My actions are reminiscent of an infant being held in someone's arms.
Love's the same old situation
Being in love is just another ordinary experience.
Lately I've not slept a wink
I've been unable to sleep recently.
Since this crazy situation
This current situation is causing chaos in my life.
Has me on the blink
The situation is causing me mental distress.
I'm wild again, beguiled again
These feelings of love are making me feel reckless and captivated.
A whimpering, simpering child again
I feel like a helpless, whiny child all over again.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I'm under a spell, troubled, and confused by my intense feelings of love.
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
I was unable and unwilling to sleep.
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
My feelings of love kept me awake and didn't allow me to sleep.
I lost my heart, but what of it
I gave my heart away, but it doesn't matter.
She is cold I agree
I admit that she appears unemotional.
She might laugh, but I love it
Even if she's laughing at me, I find it endearing.
Although the laugh's on me
I'm the one being laughed at, but I still find it charming.
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
I'll use my voice to entertain her and brighten up her day.
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
I eagerly anticipate the day when I can hug her and show my affection.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I'm spellbound, troubled, and confused by my intense feelings of love.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEIF EDLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind