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.
The Little Drummer Boy
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
"The Little Drummer Boy" is a heartwarming Christmas song that tells the story of a poor boy who is invited to the birth of the newborn king. The boy shares with the king his only gift, the gift of music. The song begins with "Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum," which invites us to join the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem to visit the newborn King. The repetition of "pa-rum pum pum pum" creates a drum-like rhythm that guides us through the story. The Magi offer their finest gifts to the King, while the poor boy has nothing but his drum. However, he offers to play his drum and thus shares his musical gift with the King.
The second verse of the song introduces the poor boy himself: "Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum, I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum. I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum." This verse establishes the boy's humility and portrays him as an underdog. He is aware of his lowly status and feels inadequate to present any fit for a King's acceptance. The boy offers to play his drum, showing that he is not afraid to give what little he has. In the final verse, we learn that the King accepts the boy's gift of music. The animals, the ox, and the lamb keep tempo as the boy plays his drum, and the King smiles. The Boy leaves the King with joy, knowing that he has given his best to honor the newborn King.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They informed me with urgency, with a rhythmic sound
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of the newly-born King, with a repetitive beat
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
Our most precious offerings are presented, with a steady drumming
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer our gifts before the King, with a persistent drumbeat
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
A rhythmic and consistent beat
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To pay respect to Him, with a repeating drum sound
When we come
When we arrive
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The small and tender infant, with a percussion pattern
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also impoverished, accompanied by a beat
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I possess no present to offer, with a drumming sound
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is appropriate to present to our King, with a repeated drumbeat
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
A regular and rhythmic sound
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Should I perform music for you, accompanied by a drum sound
on my drum?
On the small percussion instrument that I have
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary assented with a rhythmical beat
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb synchronized their movements to the beat
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I performed music for Him, with a steady drumbeat
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my all in the musical offering, with a rhythmic sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
A repeated and consistent sound
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Then, He expressed delight towards me, with a drumbeat
Me and my drum
Myself and my percussion instrument
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Music Selection
Guess what Steve of all I have played this morning , my cats have chosen this one as the best as it is soothing and has made them all fall asleep , that's a good compliment from them lol and I luv the music and chorus singing .. a festive spirit is a coming :)
wordsmith52
+Music Selection ha ha...9 out of 10 cats approve it lol!
Music Selection
wordsmith52 ha ha .. I wonder what the 10th cat would like instead lol .. Rap
P version maybe
Maritza Falcon
Excelente music faltaría ver la orquesta en vídeos, was fantastic
Blanca Rodriguez
Hermosa música. Gracias por compartirla
IVORIESMAN
...more mulled wine music - always welcome, any time..!
Cheers Steve.
wordsmith52
+IVORIESMAN thanks Jo - been meaning to post it for ages, but could not find the record until recently! Go easy on the mulled wine...lol!
IVORIESMAN
wordsmith52 ...no chance...:-)
bente beukel
<3
Mario Del Monaco
❤❤❤