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.
Serenade
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the splendor of the setting sun is fading
From the hill I hear a love serenading
And tonight it carves steel once again
Just a melody that comes, bound to remind me
But one night I sang a love song all in there
Just the same serenade that I tenderly played on a night long ago
There were stars in the sky and I sang 'neath a window
But she gave not a sign that she'd ever be mine and my love story closes
Oh, why must the south wind be bringing it?
Oh, why must my heart keep on singing it?
Serenade in the night from the past comes to haunt me
When I hear that refrain, oh, my heart aches again
For that lost love of mine
Serenade in the night from the past comes to haunt me
When I hear that refrain, oh, my heart aches again
For that lost love of mine
The lyrics of Mantovani's song Serenade in blue evoke a sense of deep nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The singer hears the serenade and is transported back to a different time, a time when he and his love were happy together. Memories of joy and happiness flood his mind, bringing back the face of his lost love like a forgotten melody. Despite the passage of time, the memories are vivid and clear, like an album in his mind.
However, the lyrics also reveal a sense of sadness and loss. The singer wonders if the love that he once shared with his beloved is gone forever or if there is still a spark. He is unsure if he should continue to hold on to the memories and feel the pain of unrequited love or try to move on with his life. He questions whether the shadows of his lost love are all that remain or if the flame can be rekindled. The serenade in blue provides a backdrop for the poignant lyrics, emphasizing the emotions of nostalgia, love, and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear that Serenade in blue
Upon hearing Mantovani's song Serenade, the listener is transported to another world where they feel connected and alone with their beloved.
I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
The song reminds the listener of a vivid memory of a time spent with their loved one, where they felt content and at peace with each other.
Sharing all the joys we used to know
The listener remembers experiencing feelings of immense happiness and pleasure with their loved one in the past.
Many moons ago
This refers to a distant and long-gone time period, in which the listener experienced these pleasant memories with their loved one.
Once again your face comes back to me
The cherished memory of their loved one is brought back to the listener, and it feels as though their loved one is present with them again.
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
The memory of their loved one is similar to a melody that has been forgotten, but has resurfaced suddenly.
In the album of my memory
The listener's recollection of this memory is vivid, and is catalogued in their mind like an entry in an album.
Serenade in blue
The song, Serenade, played by Mantovani is the catalyst for bringing up these memories of the listener's loved one.
It seems like only yesterday
It feels like it was only a short while ago that the listener spent time with their loved one and were happy together.
The small cafe, a crowded floor
The listener recalls a specific place where they spent time with their loved one - a small cafe with a busy dance space.
And as we danced the night away
The memory the listener cherishes is one of dancing with their loved one throughout the night.
I hear you say forever more
The listener remembers their loved one promising to be with them forever and never leave them.
And then the song became a sigh
The feeling of happiness from the memory is interrupted as the listener reminisces how their loved one left them, causing the sentimental memories to feel like a heavy sigh.
Forever more became goodbye
The promise of forever and never ending love from their loved one has been broken and eventually resulted in the end of their relationship.
Cause you remained in my heart, but
Even though their loved one has left them, they still hold a special place in their heart.
Tell me darling in there still a spark?
The listener is questioning if their loved one still has feelings for them, after all the time that has passed since their departure.
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
The listener is wondering if the love they shared with their partner has faded away and become nothing but memories of a long-gone relationship.
Should I go on whistling in the dark,
The listener is unsure whether to hold onto the memories of their loved one and continue to hope for a reconciliation or let go and move on from the past.
Serenade in blue
The song, Serenade, continues to stir up emotions and memories within the listener, and is the backdrop for this personal and reflective moment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bixio Cherubini, Cesare Bixio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesmillsbooks6848
My absolute favourite! 1950s happiness... fields, wild flowers, playgrounds, loyal friends, innocent childhood. Even though we were poverty stricken. Every time I listen to it I'm transported back. It's good for my soul!
@patriciaoreilly8907
Everyword i read was from my childhood & understood how i felt listening to this music 🎶 magical 😊 calming 😊 safe 😊
@franklinchinquee8762
When I was a boy in rural Jamaica in the 1960s I would be listening to this wonderful instrumental music on a Sunday night, as I used primitive clothes iron from the coal stove to press my khaki clothes for going to school on Monday morning. Everything would be so quiet except for music like this on the radio. It really brings back good memories.
@carlthompson9997
Me too o listened to this in jamaica
@franklinchinquee8762
@@carlthompson9997 CHEERS!
@tanjavanstaden4719
My mom's favourite song..she has been fighting cancer since 2011..she is still with us..every day a blessing..may this song be with us through the lows to come
@lena-mariaglouis-charles7036
💕🙏
@zubeidahrahiman1422
I hope your mum all the best and play it for her often so that she can relive that wonderfull moments.
@janath9118
Tanja Van Staden I wish your mom all the best of health and good luck!
Sorry for the late comment.
@almighty3372
I hope she is still well. God has His arrangement, have peace in your mind and put your trust in Him..