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.
Dream
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You go a wondering, wandering
Stumbling, tumbling, round! round!
When will you find
What's on the tip of your mind?
Why are you blind
To all you ever were
Never were, really are, nearly are?
Will you ever be done traveling
Always unraveling you, you?
Running away could lead you further astray
And as for fishing in streams for pieces of dreams
Those pieces will never fit
What is the sense of it?
Little boy blue, don't let your little sheep roam
It's time ,come blow your horn, meet the morn
Look and see, can you be far from home?
The lyrics of Mantovani Orchestra's song "Dream" explore the theme of self-discovery and the search for authenticity. The song addresses a "little boy" who is lost and searching for something, both externally and internally. The boy is described as wondering and stumbling, never fully finding what he is looking for. The lyrics question his awareness and perception, urging him to open his eyes to his true self and who he really is.
The song suggests that the little boy is misguided in his search for truth. He is described as "false" and always unraveling, never satisfied with his current state. The lyrics caution against constantly running away and seeking validation elsewhere. It emphasizes that chasing after fragmented dreams will never bring the desired sense of fulfillment or wholeness.
The song concludes by urging the little boy to stop wandering, blowing his horn and embracing the morning. It encourages him to truly look within and discover his own sense of home. It implies that only by finding oneself, can the boy find a sense of belonging and contentment.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dream" by Mantovani Orchestra convey a message of self-reflection and the importance of authenticity. It encourages the listener to stop seeking validation externally and instead focus on finding their own truth and inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Little boy lost in search of little boy found
A young and naive person is searching for a lost version of themselves
You go a wondering, wandering
You keep aimlessly and uncertainly moving about
Stumbling, tumbling, round! round!
You keep making mistakes and experiencing setbacks persistently
When will you find
What's on the tip of your mind?
When will you discover the thoughts and ideas that you've been contemplating?
Why are you blind
To all you ever were
Never were, really are, nearly are?
Why are you unable to see and understand your true self, both past, present, and potential future?
Little boy false in search of little boy true
A deceptive version of yourself is trying to find an authentic version of yourself
Will you ever be done traveling
Always unraveling you, you?
Will you ever stop seeking and continuously trying to understand yourself?
Running away could lead you further astray
Escaping from your problems and responsibilities could cause you to become even more lost
And as for fishing in streams for pieces of dreams
Those pieces will never fit
What is the sense of it?
Trying to gather fragments of your dreams will only bring disappointment and confusion. What is the purpose of doing so?
Little boy blue, don't let your little sheep roam
Don't allow your thoughts and desires to wander aimlessly without guidance
It's time, come blow your horn, meet the morn
It's time to take action, declare your presence, and embrace the new day
Look and see, can you be far from home?
Observe and reflect, are you truly distant from where you truly belong?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind