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.
I'll Be Seing You
Mantovani Lyrics
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That this heart of mine embraces all day through
In that small cafe, the park across the way
The children's carousel,
The chestnut trees, the wishing well
I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll find you in the morning' sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
The lyrics to Mantovani's song "I'll Be Seeing You" describe the sensation of longing for someone who is not present, but constantly on one's mind. The singer tells of how they will see this person in "all the old familiar places," such as a small cafe, a park, or a children's carousel. These are places that are tied to memories, and it is as if the memory of this person is imprinted on the surroundings. The singer also mentions "lovely summer's days" and "everything that's light and gay," indicating that the person they long for is associated with happiness and joy.
The singer says that they will find this person in the morning sun and the new night, and even when they look at the moon, they will still see them. This suggests that the person they long for is always present, even in the everyday objects that surround them. It is a bittersweet sentiment, as the singer is unable to be with this person physically, but their presence is still felt strongly.
Overall, the lyrics to "I'll Be Seeing You" capture the sensation of longing and the power of memory. The singer is constantly reminded of the person they miss, but this reminder brings them a sense of comfort and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places
I will remember you in all the places that are meaningful to me
That this heart of mine embraces all day through
These places are dear to my heart and I think of them every day
In that small cafe, the park across the way
I will see your memory in the places where we used to spend time together, like the charming little cafe or the park just across the street
The children's carousel,
I will even see you in the joyful activity of children, such as riding the carousel
The chestnut trees, the wishing well
Even the trees and wells will remind me of you because they are part of the environment where we shared happy moments together
I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day
I will see your memory every time I experience a beautiful, sunny day
In everything that's light and gay
Every joyful and light-hearted moment will make me think of you
I'll always think of you that way
I will always remember you with fondness and joy
I'll find you in the morning' sun
When the sun rises in the morning I will think of you
And when the night is new
Even at night time, when everything seems fresh and new, I will think of you
I'll be looking at the moon
When I see the moon in the sky, your memory will come to mind
But I'll be seeing you
No matter where I go or what I do, your memory will always be with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING KAHAL, SAMMY FAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind