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.
Tzena Tzena Tzena
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you hear the music playing
In the city square
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there
Tzena, Tzena join the celebration
Dawn will find us laughing in the sunlight
Dancing in the city square
Tzena, Tzena, come and dance the Hora
One, two, three, four
All the boys will envy me for
Tzena, Tzena, when the band is playing
My heart's saying
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Can't you hear the music playing
In the city square
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Can't you hear the music playing
In the city square
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there
Tzena, Tzena
Can't you hear the music playing
In the city square
Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there
Can't you hear the music playing
In the city square
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there
Tzena, Tzena join the celebration
There'll be people there from every nation
Dawn will find us laughing in the sunlight
Dancing in the city square
Tzena, Tzena, come and dance the Hora
One, two, three, four
All the boys will envy me for
Tzena, Tzena, when the band is playing
My heart's saying
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
The lyrics in Mantovani's song "Tzena Tzena Tzena" are a warm invitation to join a joyous celebration in the city square where the music never stops playing. The song illustrates the genuine spirit of togetherness that the world needs today. The words "Tzena, Tzena" are a Hebrew expression that means "come on, this way." The song calls people, from every nation, to join together in a communal dance celebrating their unity, despite any differences.
The lyrics open by inviting the listener to come and join a lively, vibrant party in the city square. As the song progresses, the lyrics talk about people from all backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures joining hands and dancing to the same rhythm, celebrating their common humanity. The lyrics also encourage people to dance as the sun rises, signifying a new beginning for people working together to build a utopian society free of division, hate, and prejudice. The song makes people want to get up, dance, and celebrate together.
Line by Line Meaning
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Invitation for everyone to come and join the celebration.
Can't you hear the music playing
Asking if the listener can hear the music playing in the city square.
In the city square
A specific location where the celebration is happening.
Come where all our friends will find us
Asking the listener to come to the city square where all their friends are.
With the dancers there
Informing the listener that there are dancers in the city square.
Join the celebration
An invitation for the listener to participate in the festivities.
There'll be people there from every nation
Assurance that the celebration is for everyone, regardless of where they come from.
Dawn will find us laughing in the sunlight
Describing the joyous atmosphere of the celebration, with people laughing and enjoying themselves even in the morning.
Dancing in the city square
A specific activity that will happen during the celebration.
Come and dance the Hora
An invitation for the listener to dance a traditional circle dance called Hora.
One, two, three, four
Counting beats to indicate the rhythm of the dance.
All the boys will envy me for
The singer teasing that other boys will be envious of him for dancing with the listener.
When the band is playing
Specific situation prompting the singer's heart to sing Tzena Tzena Tzena.
My heart's saying
The singer expressing his emotion towards the situation.
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Repeating the invitation for everyone to come and join the celebration.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ISSACHAR MIRON, MITCHELL PARISH, YEHIEL HAGGIZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind