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.
When I Grow Too Old to Dream
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life has been beautiful, we have been young
After you've gone, life will go on
Like an old song we have sung
When I grow too old to dream
I'll have you to remember
When I grow too old to dream
So, kiss me my sweet
And so let us part
And when I grow too old to dream
That kiss will live in my heart
And when I grow too old to dream
That kiss will live in my heart
So, kiss me my sweet
And so let us part
And when I grow too old to dream
That kiss will live in my heart
The lyrics to Mantovani's song, "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" talk about the beauty of life, the passing of time, and the power of love to endure. The song starts out nostalgically, noting that the singer and their loved one have been "gay," or happy, going their own way through life. They have been young and beautiful, but the song acknowledges that eventually, they will have to go their separate ways. The phrase "After you've gone, life will go on" emphasizes the inevitability of the passage of time and the changes that will inevitably come.
However, despite the sadness of parting, the song takes a hopeful turn, with the singer declaring that even when they grow old and their memories fade, their love for their partner will remain. The phrase "When I grow too old to dream, I'll have you to remember" shows that the memories of their love will be a comfort to them in their old age. The repeated lines "And when I grow too old to dream, that kiss will live in my heart" emphasize the deep and lasting impact that love can have on a person's life.
Overall, "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" is a poignant and romantic song about the beauty of life and the power of love to endure. It acknowledges the inevitability of change and loss but ultimately celebrates the enduring nature of true love and its ability to remain in our hearts even as we grow old.
Line by Line Meaning
We have been gay, going our way
We have been happy and carefree, living our lives the way we want
Life has been beautiful, we have been young
Our lives have been full of beauty and wonder as we enjoyed our youth
After you've gone, life will go on
Even after you have left, the world will continue to move forward
Like an old song we have sung
Our time together will have become a cherished memory, much like an old song we used to sing
When I grow too old to dream
As I age and my ability to dream fades
I'll have you to remember
I will always remember you and the love we shared
Your love will live in my heart
The love we shared will always be a part of me
So, kiss me my sweet
So, please give me one last kiss
And so let us part
And now it is time for us to say goodbye
And when I grow too old to dream
And as I age and my ability to dream fades
That kiss will live in my heart
That final kiss will be forever imprinted on my heart
And when I grow too old to dream
And as I age and my ability to dream fades
That kiss will live in my heart
That final kiss will be forever imprinted on my heart
So, kiss me my sweet
So, please give me one last kiss
And so let us part
And now it is time for us to say goodbye
And when I grow too old to dream
And as I age and my ability to dream fades
That kiss will live in my heart
That final kiss will be forever imprinted on my heart
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein Ii, Sigmund Romberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@benplante4377
Mantovani’s music has been among my favorites for many years
@josebenedictodasilva4575
Fine orchestra!
@schienenlaufer697
Resembles "Charmaine", but it is nevertheless marvelous!
@shlee229
Good melody