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.
Live and Let Die
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your heart was an open book
You used to say live and let live
You know you did
You know you did
You know you did
But if this ever changin' world
In which we live in
Say live and let die
Live and let die
What does it matter to ya
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell
You used to say live and let live
You know you did
You know you did
You know you did
But if this ever changin' world
In which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die
The lyrics of Mantovani's song "Live and Let Die" exude an air of defiance and resilience against the ever-changing world. The words "live and let live" are a call to allow others to lead their lives without interference, an ideology that the singer claims to have upheld when younger. However, as the world changes and presents new challenges, the singer advises against giving in to despair and instead advocates for living and letting die. This phrase may be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to convey an acceptance of mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence.
The second stanza takes a more aggressive tone, suggesting that when there's work to be done, one must do it well and give others hell if necessary. The repetition of "you know you did" emphasizes the singer's previous adherence to the "live and let live" philosophy, and underscores the concern that the changing world may be eroding this sentiment. The chorus reiterates the message that in spite of any hardship, one must continue living and not surrender to the difficulties of life.
"Live and Let Die" was composed by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, and was initially recorded by McCartney's band, Wings, in 1973. However, the version by British bandleader Mantovani, which was arranged as a instrumental rendition for easy listening, became incredibly popular and was even used as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name in 1973. The piece became one of Mantovani's most well-known pieces, and McCartney himself even praised the orchestration done by the Mantovani orchestra.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young
Back when you were youthful
And your heart was an open book
And your emotions were easily readable
You used to say live and let live
You were once a proponent of allowing others to live their lives freely
You know you did
You are aware that this was once your stance
You know you did
You remember it clearly
You know you did
You are certain of it
But if this ever changin' world
However, in this constantly evolving world
In which we live in
In the world we live in currently
Makes you give in and cry
If it causes you to falter and cry
Say live and let die
Then proclaim that it's best to let things be and move on
Live and let die
Live and let things perish
What does it matter to ya
Why does it concern you
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
When you have a task, you must complete it with proficiency
You got to give the other fella hell
You must give full effort regardless of the opposition
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID WHITAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind