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.
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Christmas Carols Medley: The First Noel / Hark, The Herald Angels Sing / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / White Christmas / Good King Wenceslas / O Holy Night / Adeste Fideles / Joy To The World / Silent Night, Holy Night / O Tannenbaum / Midnight Waltz / Na
Pop - Released by JB Production CH on 20 aug. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tropical
Morton Gould & His Orchestra, Jay Wilbur's Serenaders, Mantovani And His Orchestra
Pop - Released by SINETONE AMR on 10 jun. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mantovani Plays The Waltzes Of Irving Berlin
Pop - Released by Leverage on 31 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Play Music From The Films
Pop - Released by Leverage on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Whistling Under The Moon
Pop - Released by Leverage on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La Cumparsita And Other Hits (All Tracks Remastered)
Pop - Released by Millennium Digital Remaster on 24 nov. 2019
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Summertime in Venice
Musicals - Released by JB Production CH on 7 aug. 2018
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Someone Nice Like You / As Long As He Needs Me (All Tracks Remastered)
Originele soundtracks - Released by Hit Singles Records on 27 sep. 2019
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