Mantovani Compositions  

Throughout a busy career Mantovani found time to pen a host of delightful melodies, most of  which were recorded for Imperial, Sterno, Columbia and Decca/London. Although recognised as a gifted violinist, he invariably composed at the piano. His first compositions appeared in 1928, these being "Impromptu Serenade" and "Venetian Boatman's Song".

   Mantovani's biggest seller was the 1954 version of "Cara Mia" in which his orchestra and a female choir accompanied David Whitfield. It was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1975 London Records USA paid Mantovani an overdue tribute with a compilation album of ten of his own melodies including a 1966 orchestral version of "Cara Mia" with himself at the piano. "Cara Mia" has been recorded by a host of celebrities down the years, among them Gordon MacCrae, Mario Del Monaco (with Mantovani), 101 Strings, Jay & The Americans, Gene Pitney, Al Caiola, Ray Anthony, Mario Lanza, Slim Whitman, Jose Carreras, Ron Goodwin and Richard Clayderman.

 Mantovani also collaborated with several composers and lyricists, among them Bunny Lee, Marcel Stellman, Sonny Miller, Michael Carr, Paul Francis Webster, Harold Adamson, and Norman Newell. His most frequently used pen names were Pedro Manilla, Tulio Trapani, Paul Remy and Paul Lambrecht. In the list of 74 compositions which follows (written between 1945 and 1975) these pen names are shown by surname only. Alongside each tune are details of when it was recorded by Mantovani. Also included in the list is Arana De La Noche from 1935 which Mantovani recorded for Decca with larger string orchestras in 1945 and 1953. The kind assistance of Mr. Kenneth Mantovani in compiling this list is acknowledged.

Go to Top