He was born in Venice, Italy and his father was the concertmaster of the La Scala orchestra under Arturo Toscanini. His family moved to England in 1912, where he studied at Trinity College of Music in London. After graduation, he formed his own orchestra, which played in and around Birmingham. By the time World War II broke out, his orchestra was one of the most popular in England, both on the BBC and in live performances.
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 Ronnie Binge, who developed the cascading string sound that became his hallmark in such hits as Charmaine. His records were regulars in stores selling hi-fi stereo equipment, as they were produced and arranged for stereo reproduction.
He recorded for Decca until the mid-1950s, at which time he switched to 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 to 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.
Mantovani made his last recordings in 1975.
Since his death at his 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 salability of the Mantovani name is underscored by new recordings being made as the Mantovani Orchestra. Unfortunately, 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.
Theme
The Mantovani Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door.
What are you hoping for, do you know?
Once we were standing still in time,
And you knew how I loved you but my spirit was free,
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me.
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Now looking back at all we planned,
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands.
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door.
The Mantovani Orchestra's song "Theme From Cabaret" is a poignant and reflective look at life and its uncertainties. The lyrics are a series of probing questions directed towards the listener, asking them if they know where they're going in life, if they like what they see along the way, and whether or not they're getting what they hope for. The song urges the listener to consider their choices and the path they're on, recognizing that sometimes the answers to those questions can be sad.
The first verse asks whether the listener knows where they're going, and if they're enjoying the journey. The second verse reflects on the past, on missed opportunities and the dreams that were left behind. The melancholic tone of the song suggests a longing for something that may have been lost, and a desire to find fulfillment in the present moment. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the questions being asked, indicating that these are not rhetorical, but rather an invitation for contemplation.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know where you're going to?
Are you clear of your destination in life?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Do you enjoy the journey of life and its experiences?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you have a defined future planned out for yourself?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
Are your expectations in life being met?
When you look behind you there's no open door.
Do you feel trapped or regretful of past choices?
Once we were standing still in time,
There was a time in the past when we were stagnant and not progressing.
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds.
We pursued unrealistic dreams and desires.
And you knew how I loved you but my spirit was free,
You were aware of my affection, but my independence was more important to me.
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me.
I found amusement in your inquiries that now seem significant.
Now looking back at all we planned,
In retrospect of our past goals and aspirations,
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands.
We allowed countless opportunities to escape us.
Why must we wait so long before we see
Why is it that we only realize the sadness of our regrets much later in life?
How sad the answers to those questions can be?
It is disheartening to come face to face with the reality of missed chances and failures.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Michael Masser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darleneeast2743
Good music is heavenly.
Calming
Inspiring
Resting
Our world does not need the tone of today.
It inspires us to rush without inspiring thought of why rush.
Constantly in competition
Rather than harmony.
We may desire community
We as a society keep fighting,
Competing.
Faster! Faster!
@basstachira8127
0:01 Charmaine
3:25 Three Coins In The
Fountain
7:00 Autumn Leaves
11:00 Amapola
13:55 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
18:49 I Left My Heart in San Francisco
24:29 Beyond The Sea (La Mer）
35:00 Moulin Rouge Theme
41:12 Limelight
48:00 More
51:38 Some Enchanted Evening
55:06 Moon River
57:20 Around The World
@AlejandroHernandez-qy5bw
Hermosa musica....tenia 15 años...la escuchaba en una radiodifusora 620 decia el locutor " la musica que llegó para quedarse". Hoy tengo 71 años y sigo deleitando mis oídos.Gracias DIOS....por permitirme estar todavía con vida. Saludos a todos los que lean esto. Desde Mérida Yucatán, México.
@rebecasanchez4830
Exacto amigo, esa música la escuchaba en un radio viejito que tenían mis padres, recuerdo que era de bulbos y que como no tenía botón de encendido sólo estaba la barilla en donde lo llevaba entonces me subía de panza a mi cama para prenderlo (tenía el radio en el suelo a un costado de mi cama) y desde ahí lo encendía para que no me diera toques... 😌
@rebecasanchez4830
Por cielo que linda es Mérida... 🥰
@chollyrd8796
Maganda talaga ang mga ganitong klase ng musika lalo na sa gabi habang ikaw ay nagpapahinga. Napakasarap sa pandinig, Para kang ipinaghehele.Nakakawala ng pagod.
@rebecasanchez4830
Me da mucho gusto encontrarme por éste medio a personas como usted porque me identifico plenamente, muchas gracias.
Saludos a mi hermosa Mérida... 🥰
@josip2103
❤
@CarlosGonzalez-qn4dt
Im 60 and just discovered Mantovani. So beautiful. ❤
@dbj1941
When I was a senior in high school (1959) my girlfriend asked me if I had ever heard of Mantovani and I had listened to him many times at my aunt's house. When I mentioned this to my aunt she gave me several 78 records of Mantovani. My girl and I would take a break from Elvis, The Platters, Chuck Berry, and such. Great music to listen to with someone you are in love with. After four years we called it quits and now my wife of 58 years and I listen to Alexa playing Mantovani for us every night. I often think about what may have been, but I came out way ahead.
@FernandoJimenez-mj8vg
En el año 1963, llegó a mi casa el primer disco L.P en sonido estereofónico. El : Mantovani Film Encores.
A partir de ese momento nunca he dejado de oírlo. Con los años, fui comprando todos sus discos. ¿ Porqué ? Porque Mantovani y su orquesta te llenan el alma y el espíritu, co por lo general lo hace la música de los GRANDES GENIOS que la han compuesto y producido.
Tengo 76 años y sigo oyéndolo y lo haré hasta el final de mi existencia.
@sylviavaldes1682
I agree with Fernando Jimenez.