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.
foolish heart
Mantovani Lyrics
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Beware my foolish heart
How white the ever constant moon
Take care my foolish heart
There's a line between love and fascination
That's hard to see, how many names such as this
For they both have the very same sensation
Her lips are much too close to mine
Beware my foolish heart
But should our eager lips combine
Then let the fire start
For this time it isn't fascination
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart
The lyrics to Mantovani and His Orchestra's song “My Foolish Heart” are full of warning for someone who is falling in love. The night is beautiful, with the moon shining bright, but the person must beware of their foolish heart. There is a fine line between love and fascination, and it can be hard to see. The person knows that they are in love, but they also know that their heart is foolish and vulnerable.
The lyrics describe the intensity of the emotions that the person is feeling, especially when they are close to the object of their affection. The sensation of love and fascination is the same, and it is hard to tell the difference. The person's lips are too close to the other person's, and they warn themselves to be careful. They know that if they kiss, it will be like lighting a fire.
Despite the person's caution, they know that this time it is love. They have been fascinated and dreamt before, but this time it feels different. Their heart is foolish, but it is also full of love.
Line by Line Meaning
The night is like a lovely tune
The atmosphere of the night is beautiful, like a sweet melody
Beware my foolish heart
Be careful, my heart is vulnerable and can be easily deceived
How white the ever constant moon
The moon is bright and steady, like an unchanging symbol of hope
Take care my foolish heart
Be cautious, my heart can be easily swayed by emotions and illusions
There's a line between love and fascination
It's difficult to discern the boundary between deep attraction and mere infatuation
That's hard to see, how many names such as this
It's unclear how to define this type of feeling, and many people use different terms for it
For they both have the very same sensation
Both love and fascination elicit similar emotions and sensations in a person
When you're locked in the magic of a kiss
When two people share an intimate moment like a kiss, they feel the enchantment and passion of such a connection
Her lips are much too close to mine
The physical proximity of the other person's lips to my own is too tempting and alluring
But should our eager lips combine
In the event that we both choose to engage in a romantic encounter, our passion will ignite
Then let the fire start
Allow the flames of passion to ignite and burn brightly between us
For this time it isn't fascination
This time, my feelings are deeper and more genuine than mere fascination or attraction
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
This love isn't a fleeting or unrealistic fantasy that will eventually disappear or fail
It's love, this time it's love
What I'm feeling now is real love, and it's stronger and more powerful than anything else
My foolish heart
Even though I may be naive and reckless when it comes to love, I am still willing to take the chance on this powerful, genuine emotion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ned Washington, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind