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.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconcile.
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
Glory to the newborn King.
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail, the incarnate deity,
Pleased as Man with to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the suns of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first stanza of the song describes the joyous celebration of the birth of Christ, with the angels singing and proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King". The stanza goes on to describe the peace on earth that is brought about by the birth of Christ, as God reconciles with sinners.
The second stanza of the song elaborates on the divine nature of Christ, describing him as "Christ the everlasting Lord" who is "adored" by the highest heavens. The stanza goes on to describe the miraculous birth of Christ to a virgin mother. The stanza concludes by identifying Jesus as Emmanuel, which means "God with us".
The third stanza of the song describes Jesus as the "heaven-born Prince of peace", who brings light, life, and healing to all. The stanza goes on to describe Jesus as "laying his glory by" to be born as a man and to save humanity from death. The stanza concludes by describing Jesus as being born "to raise the sons of earth" and to give them "second birth".
Overall, the song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" celebrates the joy and wonder of the birth of Christ, and acknowledges the divine nature of his mission on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The messengers of the king are singing
Glory to the newborn King
Praise the new King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and gentle mercy on earth
God and sinners reconcile.
God has made peace with sinners
Joyful all ye nations rise
All people from every nation should rise up in joy
Join the triumph of the skies;
Come together to celebrate the victory from heaven
With the angelic host proclaim
Announce together with the angels
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
'The savior has been born in Bethlehem'
Christ by highest heaven adored
Jesus is adored by the highest heaven
Christ the everlasting Lord
Jesus is the eternal Lord
Late in time behold him come,
He came at the appointed time
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
He was born from a virgin
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Although he was covered in flesh, he was truly divine
Hail, the incarnate deity,
Greetings to God in human form
Pleased as Man with to dwell,
He was happy to live as a human
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, our God With Us!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the peace-bringing prince of heaven!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Greetings to the source of righteousness, the Sun!
Light and life to all he brings,
He brings light and and life to everyone
Risen with healing in his wings.
He has risen with the power to heal
Mild he lays his glory by,
He humbly sets aside his glory
Born that man no more may die,
He was born so that man may not die forever
Born to raise the suns of earth,
Born to raise the people of the earth
Born to give them second birth.
Born to give them a new life
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of the king are singing
Glory to the newborn King.
Praise the new King!
Writer(s): Ronnie Aldrich
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GlitzPianoman
I wish I knew Spanish so I could fully express my gratitude for posting this. This is classic holiday music from when I was a child. Muchos gracias! (I hope I spelled that right.)
@edwardterrill380
Mantovani has no peers when it comes to Carol arrangements.