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.
Silent Night
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
SPOKEN Intro: "To you the man, woman, the child we have never met but think of as a friend, this is Nelson Eddy wishing you a Christmas complete with the excitement and pleasure of giving and receiving presents and warm and inspiring with its spiritual beauty. May the coming year bring this blessed land of ours a little closer to that day of eternal Christmas, that day of peace on earth."
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
glories stream from heaven afar
heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Mantovani's version of "Silent Night" is a classic Christmas hymn that evokes the sacred beauty of the holy night when Jesus Christ was born. The spoken intro by Nelson Eddy sets the tone for a warm and inspiring Christmas and hopes for peace on earth. The lyrics of the song are simple and poetic, offering a serene image of the scene in Bethlehem, with the virgin mother tenderly holding her holy infant, surrounded by a hushed and peaceful night. The alliteration of the words "calm," "bright," and "child" reinforces the feeling of serenity and innocence in the scene, which contrasts with the turmoil and chaos of the world outside.
The second stanza of the song introduces another element to the story, with the shepherds who were tending their flocks fearing as they see the shining glory of angels from heaven. The use of the word "quake" in the lyrics emphasizes their awe and reverence for the divine spectacle, while the word "glories" conveys the grandeur and magnificence of the heavenly hosts singing Alleluia. The final line of the song declares the birth of Christ, the savior who brings hope and salvation to the world. The repetition of the line "Christ the Saviour is born!" emphasizes the joy and significance of the moment, as well as the spiritual message of the song.
Overall, Mantovani's version of "Silent Night" is a timeless rendition of a beloved Christmas carol that captures the essence of the nativity scene with simplicity, elegance, and emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent Night
A peaceful and quiet night
Holy Night
An evening of spiritual significance
All is calm all is bright
Everything is serene and shining
Round yon virgin mother and child
Nearby the young mother and her newborn baby
Holy infant so tender and mild
A gentle and innocent newborn child
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Rest in an atmosphere of divine tranquility
Shepherds quake at the sight
The shepherds tremble in fear and awe
Glories stream from heaven afar
The magnificent light from the heavens illuminates from a distance
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Angelic beings sing praises to God
Christ the Saviour is born!
The Messiah has been brought into the world
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DP, CHRIS HAZELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind