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.
Santa's Sleigh Ride
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,
Let's look at the show.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand
Just holding your hand.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
The opening lines to Mantovani Orchestra’s classic holiday song, “Sleigh Ride,” sets the perfect wintry scene. Listeners can’t help but imagine a cheerful horse-drawn sleigh dashing through the snow, with sleigh bells ringing merrily in the background. This catchy tune instantly puts you in a good mood and amps up the holiday spirit.
As the song progresses, the singer invites someone to take a sleigh ride together in the snowy weather. The lyrics mention “friends” calling out and a “wintery fairy land” where the two can glide along while holding hands. The singer paints a romantic picture of the two snuggled up together – “our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we” – while singing a chorus of Christmas carols together.
Overall, “Sleigh Ride” is a fun and festive tune that highlights the beauty and magic of wintertime traditions. The lyrics perfectly capture the joy and excitement of spending time with loved ones during the holidays.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting tingle-ing, too,
Listen to the sound of the sleigh bells as they beautifully jingle and ting while we are riding.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Let's enjoy this wonderful weather and take a sleigh ride together.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"
The snow is falling outside, and our friends are calling out to us so we can all enjoy this weather together.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Let's take advantage of this delightful weather and ride in a sleigh together.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,
Let's go, and encourage the horses with the words 'giddy yap'.
Let's look at the show.
Let's enjoy the view around us.
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
We are riding in a snow-covered area, and it looks and feels like a magical wonderland.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand
It's wonderful, and we are encouraging the horses to keep moving fast and brisk.
Just holding your hand.
I am enjoying holding your hand as we glide along.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.
As we glide along, it feels like we are in a magical winter wonderland, and we are singing a beautiful song.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,
Our cheeks are flushed with the cold, but we feel comfortable and cozy sitting together.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
We are snuggled up close to each other, like two birds of a feather that belong together.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Let's continue on the road ahead, and sing a few more songs together.
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Let's not miss this beautiful opportunity to spend time together on a sleigh ride.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind