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 Left My Heart in San Francisco
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High on a hill it calls to me
to be where little cable cars
climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air,
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco,
above the blue and windy sea.
your golden sun will shine for me!
I left my heart in San Francisco.
High on a hill it calls to me
to be where little cable cars
climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air,
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco,
above the blue and windy sea.
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
your golden sun will shine for me!
The lyrics of Mantovani's song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" tell a story of a lover who has left their heart in the city of San Francisco. It starts with the character on a hill, hearing the call to be where the cable cars climb halfway to the stars. This line speaks metaphorically to the heights of love, where the character wishes to be with someone who holds their heart. The reference to cable cars is a reminder of the city's famous landmark, also representing the couple's journey as they climb higher in their relationship.
The following verse describes the city's notorious morning fog, but to the character, it does not matter because their love waits for them in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea. This line illustrates the beauty of the city as well as the character's emotional connection to it, emphasizing that the city holds everything that they desire. The final verse highlights the character's longing to return to San Francisco and reunite with their love. The line "your golden sun will shine for me" expresses the character's hope to experience joy and happiness when they are back with their loved one.
Overall, Mantovani's song speaks about the power of love and how it can leave an indelible mark on a person's heart, which cannot be easily forgotten. The lyrics appeal to anyone who has left their loved ones behind, hoping to be reunited and reignite that feeling once again. It also highlights the beauty of the city of San Francisco, a place that holds a lot of sentimentality for the author.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my heart in San Francisco.
I was so deeply moved by the beauty of San Francisco that it felt as though a piece of my heart stayed behind.
High on a hill it calls to me
The incredible view from a hill in San Francisco captivates me and I feel drawn to return there.
to be where little cable cars
The charming cable cars of San Francisco have become iconic and I long to be near them once more.
climb halfway to the stars!
The cable cars ascend up the steep hills of San Francisco, giving the impression of reaching for the sky.
The morning fog may chill the air,
The cool, damp fog that often envelopes San Francisco may create a chill in the air, but it does not deter me from loving the city.
I don't care!
I am willing to overlook any of San Francisco's weather quirks because my love for the city runs deep.
My love waits there in San Francisco,
The person I love is in San Francisco, which only makes me yearn for the city more deeply.
above the blue and windy sea.
San Francisco is situated on the coastline and the vast expanse of the ocean, combined with the gusty winds, creates an unmatched environment.
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
I consider San Francisco to be a home to me, and I long to return there again.
your golden sun will shine for me!
San Francisco's sunny, cheerful disposition makes me feel welcomed, as though the sun itself is shining just for me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Douglas Cross, George Cory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind