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.
Oom-Pah-Pah
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ知っている
大人も子供も 赤ちゃんも
歌う ウンパッパ
歌に願いをこめて 歌えば
広場で街で 公園で
楽しい歌が 小鳥のように
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ誰でも
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ知っている
大人も子供も 赤ちゃんも
歌う ウンパッパ
心の中を のぞいて見られる
眼鏡があったら 便利だな
あの子は早く 大人になって
毎日ダンスを したいの
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ知っている
歌う ウンパッパ
夢を大事にしながら 子供は
素敵な大人に なるでしょう
大人はいつか 年寄りになって
昔の歌を 歌うでしょう
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ誰でも
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ知っている
大人も子供も 赤ちゃんも
歌う ウンパッパ
The song "Oom-Pah-Pah" by Mantovani is a happy and cheerful tune that emphasizes the power of singing and the importance of music in bringing people together. The lyrics center around the simple but catchy phrase "Oom-Pah-Pah" that is known and loved by everyone, from adults to children, and even babies. The song encourages people to sing along with their wishes and aspirations put into the lyrics, and when gathered at various locations such as parks or town squares, the fun and uplifting song sends pleasant vibes through the air, much like the singing of birds.
The chorus repeats itself, emphasizing the universal nature of the song's message. The lyrics also speak about the importance of cherishing children's dreams and nurturing them into becoming beautiful adults. It suggests that singing can become a lifelong source of joy and comfort, and older people can sing the same songs that once brought them happiness, even in their later years. The song's message is simple and positive, promoting the healing, cheerful, and uniting power of music in a world where such things are more important than ever.
Line by Line Meaning
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ誰でも
Anyone can sing Oom-Pah-Pah
ウンパッパ ウンパッパ知っている
Everyone knows Oom-Pah-Pah
大人も子供も 赤ちゃんも
Adults, children, and babies can all join in
歌う ウンパッパ
Sing Oom-Pah-Pah
歌に願いをこめて 歌えば
If you sing with your hopes in the song
広場で街で 公園で
In the square, in the city, in the park
楽しい歌が 小鳥のように
The joyful song will be like a bird
みんなの夢を 歌い出す
Singing everyone's dreams
心の中を のぞいて見られる
You can see into your heart
眼鏡があったら 便利だな
It would be convenient to have glasses
あの子は早く 大人になって
That child wants to grow up quickly
毎日ダンスを したいの
They want to dance every day
夢を大事にしながら 子供は
While valuing their dreams, children
素敵な大人に なるでしょう
Will become wonderful adults
大人はいつか 年寄りになって
One day, adults become elderly
昔の歌を 歌うでしょう
And sing the songs of the past
Contributed by Stella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.