Mantovani And His Orchestra
Venice-born Annunzio Paolo Mantovani became known not only for arrangements of popular tunes and for his own compositions, but for the unique sonic character of "His Orchestra," a sound often likened to the strains of "cascading strings." Detractors called the style elevator music, but Mantovani would become one of the best-known creators and conductors of light orchestral music of his time.
Mantovani began conducting in 1925, his first position being conductor of the Hotel Metropole Orchestra in Leeds, an ensemble with whom he made several recordings in 1928. Among the more successful works he composed and recorded that year were Impromptu Serenade and Venetian Boatmen's Song.
Concurrently he pursued a career as a concert violinist in England, and had achieved considerable success in that endeavor. In 1931 he made the difficult decision to abandon his soloist's career in favor of conducting. He then founded his first orchestra, the Tipica Orchestra. With this group he performed regularly in radio broadcasts and in 1932 began making recordings. Several were hits in England and the U.S., including the 1936 Serenade to the Night.
In 1937, Columbia Records billed the performers as Mantovani and His Orchestra, and the name has been used ever since. Mantovani and his ensemble grew in popularity in the 1940s, not least because the conductor dabbled in many successful theater productions on the side. In 1951, Mantovani, with the aid of arranger and former accordionist in his orchestra Ronald Binge, fashioned the aforementioned "cascading strings" sound, introducing it with one of Mantovani's most popular hits, Charmaine.
In 1954 Mantovani recorded his greatest hit, Cara Mia, wherein he employed a female choir. A string of big sellers followed: Beyond the Stars (1955), Toy Shop Ballet (1956), and It Was Love (1959). A good many of his recorded efforts -- at least 74 -- were crafted by him, though he would often write his works under a pseudonym, such as Paul Remy or Paul Lambrecht. Sometimes he would do a second version of a successful piece: his 1966 rendition of Cara Mia featured Mantovani at the piano, accompanying the orchestra, a performance released by Decca in 1975. After 1973, Mantovani's popularity declined, but he remained active for several years in composition. He died on March 30, 1980. His recordings continued to be reissued after his death, especially with a later resurgence of interest in his work.
© TiVo
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Mantovani Plays Strauss Waltzes
Lounge - Released by Music Manager on 4 feb. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
There's No Business Like Show Business with Mantovani And His Orchestra, Vol. 2
Rock - Released by Show Business on 8 mrt. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Songs To Remember
Originele soundtracks - Released by Blue Jango on 27 feb. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Maria Elena
Wereldmuziek - Released by Music Today Records on 17 mrt. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When You Lose the One You Love (UK Chart Top 40 - No. 7)
David Whitfield, Mantovani And His Orchestra
Lounge - Released by Music Manager on 2 okt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Latin Classics: Mantovani
Pop - Released by Sonoria on 7 jul. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Christmas No. 10 - EP: Christmas Music
Kerstmuziek - Released by Vintage Music on 26 nov. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Songs to Remember
Pop - Released by Foggy Milan Records on 17 feb. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mantovani Broadway Encores
Originele soundtracks - Released by Foggy Milan Records on 8 feb. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Music No. 118 - LP: Mantovani Plays Sigmund Romberg
Originele soundtracks - Released by Vintage Music on 15 jul. 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
There's No Business Like Show Business with Mantovani And His Orchestra, Vol. 1
Rock - Released by Show Business on 1 mrt. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Angels Sing For You
Kerstmuziek - Released by Reminisce Music on 7 dec. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gems Forever
Wereldmuziek - Released by TP4 Music on 6 jan. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Film Encores, Vol. 2
Pop - Released by Foggy Milan Records on 17 feb. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Dance Orchestras No. 164 - EP: Highlights
Klassiek - Released by Vintage Music on 12 apr. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beyond the Stars (UK Chart Top 40 - No. 8)
David Whitfield, Mantovani And His Orchestra
Pop - Released by Music Manager on 2 okt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Carols
Ambient / New Age / Easy Listening - Released by Copyright Group on 11 aug. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Spider of the Night
Pop - Released by Music Parlament on 25 feb. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Silver Screen Favourites
Pop - Released by Odeon on 12 dec. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mantovani and His Orchestra Selected Favorites, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 21 mrt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Dance Orchestras Nº 99 - EPs Collectors, "4 x Mantovani"
Klassiek - Released by Vintage Music on 21 mrt. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo