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.
For You
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nature patterned you and when she was done
You were all the sweet things rolled up in one
You're like a plaintive melody
That never lets me free
For I'm content the angels must have sent you
And they meant you just for me
Nature patterned you and when she was done
You were all the sweet things rolled up in one
You're like a plaintive melody
That never lets me free
For I'm content the angels must have sent you
And they meant you just for me
Mantovani's "You Were Meant for Me" is a love song with an intense sense of destiny. This song begins with the declaration: "You were meant for me, I was meant for you." The singer believes that the person they are addressing in the song was "patterned" by nature, and that they possess all the sweet things rolled into one. What's fascinating about these lyrics is the idea that two people can be "meant" for each other- it implies that there is a greater force at work, orchestrating our love stories before we even know it.
As the song progresses, the singer likens this person to a "plaintive melody." This could be interpreted in a couple of ways; on the one hand, it could suggest a sense of sadness or longing, but on the other hand, it could be seen as a sort of serenade- a gentle, constant reminder of their love. The singer admits that they are never truly free from this person, but that they feel content because they were "sent" by angels and "meant" just for them.
Overall, "You Were Meant for Me" is a song about destiny and the power of love. It suggests that there is a cosmic plan for our lives, and that falling in love is one of the most important parts of that plan. There's a sense of comfort in this idea- even when things are tough, the fact that we were meant to be with someone can give us a sense of purpose and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
You were meant for me, I was meant for you
Our fates were always intertwined, and we were meant to be together since the beginning of time
Nature patterned you and when she was done
The natural forces of the universe worked together to create a perfect individual in you, one who is truly unique
You were all the sweet things rolled up in one
You embody all of the good, kind, and wonderful things that exist in this world, encapsulated in a single, perfect person
You're like a plaintive melody
Your essence is like the mournful, heartfelt tune of a song, something that touches the very core of my being
That never lets me free
Your presence is so strong that it holds me captive with its power, unable to escape the hold you have on me
For I'm content the angels must have sent you
I am at peace knowing that you were sent to me by a higher power, as if a divine being sought to reward me with your presence
And they meant you just for me
You were not just a random person placed in my life, but rather you were intentionally sent to me for a specific purpose, to fulfill a role that only you can perform
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARTHUR FREED, NACIO BROWN, NACIO HERB BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Stokes
This was the theme for the "Shut-Ins" program on CJOB, Winnipeg. I dearly love the mellow sax and how different instruments are highlighted. Love the way the strings soar to open the song.
Inger Games
Correct......George Mcloy would lead in with “Just for you....”
Inger Games
Perhaps the most beautiful music I have ever heard
Jim Stokes
Wondrous arrangement highlighting different instruments. :) Love the bittersweet sax.
Hugh Jones
One of Monty's first songs his ork recorded. First on 78 rpm. Then transferred to LP. Such bittersweet music. I like this and "I Live for You" among his first recordings. CHEERS! Don't really care that much for the sax. But it fits the entire arrangement OK. What the heck. I can't think of an optional instrument in scoring.