Welcome to one of the largest fan websites on the internet. Mantovani, the "Grand Master"* of light orchestra music  wanted his large string orchestra to sound as if it were playing in a cathedral. Avoiding echo chambers or electronic gadgetry of any kind, he achieved this unique majestic and elegant sound using nothing but his arrangements, orchestrations, and his amazing leadership. There were no electronically amplified strings or other instruments atypical to a large concert or recording orchestra. The orchestrations used the natural acoustics of the concert halls and recording studios. The arrangements simply achieved the absolute best from the instruments used and the talent of virtuoso musicians. Nothing "easy listening" came from Mantovani and His Orchestra. The presentations required careful listening as any dedicated fan will tell you. The delicate and poignant renderings, harmonies, and amazing counterpoints are legendary and are still appreciated by music lovers around the world. Even simple themes were dressed up to classical, concert worthy, and heart touching performances under the baton of Mantovani. This site is dedicated to perpetuating his legacy and that of the talented virtuoso musicians also responsible for the music.

Mantovani heard something in melodies that made them better and then interpreted what he heard into elegant orchestra arrangements. He made melodies sweeter and more touching than imagined even by the composer. For instance, check out this link to Strauss Blue Danube to support this opinion. You will not hear the Blue Danube played more beautifully even in Vienna. If you have trouble sleeping, would like to calm your unborn baby so that you can sleep during pregnancy, perhaps you could put some Mantovani on your CD Player and relax. Many others have and it really works. What a nice way to relax. It doesn't mean the music is "easy listening". It is not. Mantovani music calls for some sophistication and a good music ear. But even with a tacit understanding, it is beautiful and spiritually fulfilling.

Mantovani, a Marine, a Relationship, and Orange County, California A love for Mantovani music and the marriage of our Don and Annette Southwell From the OC Register article, " Goodbye, "Semper Fi" The demilitarization of Orange County goes on 10 years after the closing of the El Toro and Tustin Marine Air Stations. By GARY A. WARNER

"...Many were like Don Southwell, a Michigan native. Assigned to El Toro in 1955, the sergeant would go into Santa Ana to buy the classically tinged albums by Mantovani at the Blue Note record store. There he met a clerk named Annette. "She said she went out with me because she wanted to see if I was really as square as I seemed," Southwell said. "When everyone else was buying Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and the Comets, I was buying Mantovani." After returning to Michigan for college, Southwell moved permanently to Orange County. Now married to Annette, he got a job at Autonetics North American and settled in Anaheim. He was one of thousands of former Marines who found jobs at McDonnell Douglas, Raytheon, Hughes, Loral and other defense and aerospace firms hungry for disciplined, skilled employees. "Getting assigned to El Toro is the best thing that ever happened in my life," he said..." We were very pleased to find this very interesting article on our friend Don Southwell this morning and we thought you would appreciate reading it as well. Here is a link to the full story. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/county-orange-marine-2481926-toro-marines Happy Fourth of July to my American Friends. God Bless our glorious Constitution.

M*A*S*H in real life Nurse recalls Korea, ‘The Forgotten War’ (and Mantovani Music)

(From the Lancaster County (Pennsylvania, USA) "Lancaster On-line". Copyright (c) 2009, Intelligencer Journal Published: May 25, 2009 "When nurse Marie Cottrell tried to enlist in the Army during World War II, her 5-foot-7 1/2-inch, 120-pound frame was deemed "too thin," and she was turned away. A few years later, the Korean War began. Cottrell's weight hadn't changed, but this time the military welcomed the Long Island native. It had become apparent that more surgical nurses were going to be needed to help the large numbers of wounded soldiers. At so in April 1951, at age 30, Cottrell began basic training at the San Antonio Hospital. She was sent to Fort Leonard and Fort Dix before heading overseas to Osaka, Japan, in January 1952. Six months later, she was transferred to Korea, where she spent the next 14 months as a first lieutenant with the 121st Evac Unit, near Seoul. "We had quite a large unit," the Manheim Township resident said. "We were lucky. Our hospital was a burned-out school building." They had a lot of work, treating an average of 100 patients every day. More than 40,000 soldiers came through the evac unit during the time Cottrell was stationed there, she said.

Cottrell was an operating room supervisor, tasked with seeing that the tables were set and ready to go for each surgery. "We had 10 tables in a big room, and we kept moving them in and out for minor surgeries. We also had two rooms that were private for major surgery." Cottrell was in charge of the 12 nurses in surgery and the GI medics..." "It was brutally hot in Korea, and we spent six weeks without showers. That was not good," she said. Cottrell said she thought their nine-hole latrine would be the end of her. "I can't go in public places, but I learned." Medical personnel lived in quonset huts. "In the front was the sitting room. A bar was in the sitting room, and we partied. ... It was just party, party, party, like they did in the 'M*A*S*H' TV show." She recalled that cigarettes were 20 cents a pack and booze was $2 a bottle, which they bought at the officer's club. The bulletin board, she said, was where they "found out all the dirt, the scoop." "We had a radio, and the G.I. station played the most beautiful music — Mantovani. It was so peaceful, it felt like being in heaven. I went to see him at Carnegie Hall when I got home," Cottrell said. Cottrell also recalled "Bed Check Charlie," a single plane that made regular night-time nuisance bombing runs. "At 10 p.m., the North Korean Communists flew over us. They blew up an oil tank near us one night, but most nights nothing, just fly over us to scare us," she said."

Mantovani Influence on ABBA Music From The Guardian (UK) Observer Craig McLean The Observer, Sunday 17 May 2009 Article history

Benny Andersson of ABBA

"Soundtrack of my life: Benny Andersson The Abba star tells Craig McLean about six records with a very special meaning for him ...... My introduction to melody ... Mantovani, Film Encores (1957) For some strange reason when I was 12, 13, I bought this. There was a lot of wonderful music on it: Laura, Limelight, Three Coins in the Fountain. You know what Mantovani is like: strings and tons of reverb. So very not rock'n'roll. I learned all these songs and that brought me into melody-making. The essence of good music to me has always been good melodies..." Editor's note: I've always loved the work of ABBA who were absolutely true musical talents on the level of Chicago. There is no other way of describing the quality of their magnificent work. It seems that the list of music stars who are, in-fact Mantovani fans is growing and includes Smokey Robinson and Bono.

 

YouTube and Mantovani. If you were to search for "Mantovani" on YouTube, you'd find there are 759 videos available. Who can doubt the current world popularity of Mantovani? Here are statistics that support the fact that there remains a world-wide interest in beautiful Mantovani music. The statistics are accompanied by selected viewer comments. Note:  The quality of sound from YouTube is very poor compared to that from a good quality vinyl or CD release. If you click on the title, it will take you to the specific YouTube video. Please use your [Back] button to return to the Mantovani Fan Website. The numbers seem to be increasing by hundreds per day. Wow!!!  The comments are very touching. They reminded me of the comments we received on Mantovani's 100th Birthday Tribute. You may read them by clicking here: Tribute
Title	Views		Comment
	28 May 2009	12 June 2009
Le Ronde/Greensleeves (from a 45 RPM double recording)	9,209	9,819	Gracious! The memories come waltzing down. Used to hear this 35 yrs. or more ago on the radio and never knew the name of it (La Ronde)! Still so lovely, many years later! Viva Montovani!
Swedish Rhapsody	22,836	24,063	Just wonderful. Brings back great memories. I always tried to pick out the accordion parts every time I heard it as a chikl.. Thanks for posting.
Edellveiss	30,163	36,087	if u close ur eyes then open them again u can imagine urself in another place a beautiful place of course
Elizabethan Serenade	16,396	18,164	I am 25yrs and this song takes me back to grade three when we would have music. I remembered being absent that day we were supposed to write it and for the next few days we learned to sing it.I loved the song so much but didn't have the words. Until today. It's beautifully serenading.The serenity it brings is just undescribable. Great piece of music
Le Mer (Beyond The Sea)	49,506	52,473	Oh man!!! what beautiful feelings you have stired in me. Memories of an earlier life that was free of many of todays ills. Note: there are other versions following Mantovani's on the program.
Blue Danube	29,542	31,536	lindo, musica dos sonhos maravilhoso. I'd like to add my own comment, this is the piece that introduced me to Mantovani in about 1953-1954. My life has never been the same since then. You will not hear this Strauss masterpiece played more beautifully, even in Vienna. Listen for the bell like sound from the high strings.
Some Enchanted Evening	33,116	34,549	Thanks to YouTube we can see and hear the evolution of Montavani's music. Note: Listen to Charlie Botterill's magnificent Deagan Vibraharp.
La Paloma	25,648	26,605	The most beatifull music that I like me very much. Thanks,
Come Prima	44,308	46,331	oh,Lord, such beautiful masterpiece. you don't need romance to feel that love. Thank you for your sharing.
Sweet Lelani	60,038	63,243	Mantovani's music is just lovely, and ageless
Theme From Exodus	36,104	37,951	Unbelievable,Unbelievable,Unbelievable all the music… and all feelings in just one instrumental…
Under Paris Bajo el cielo de París)	45,423	47,293	What to GO! kraustrujillo ! Your hitting home to my heart on this tune! WoW! Can't say enough! My parents used to play. !!!!!La orquésta de Mantovani, hace mucho que no la escuchàba, muy buena orquésta!!!!! Note: listen to the magnificent transition to the Mantovani Signature Sound (he did not use it everywhere).
Ebb Tide	10,641	12,093	why o why can't there be more gorgeous music like this on the radio ? Thank God I was privy to his music when growing up and listening to my parents radio player. His music is a PRIME example of WHY everything doesn't always have to have a BEAT <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ! God bless that there will be more beautiful music like this in the world !
Amapola	13561	14,938	ellissima musica!!! Grazie Luiz !!!! Besos Perla.
Theme From Limelight	10,467	11,625	OH MAN! How awesome! I was so lucky to see them live in concert! Thank you for sharing!
Greensleeves	10,404	11,378	The most human melody , a melody that connects people with the heavens !!!
Tulips From Amsterdam		66,106	Mantovani's strings ALWAYS make me shiver.
Totals	447,362	497,923	Increase= 50,561

 

This site is currently dedicated to a Mantovani Fan who is a beautiful spirit and a beautiful lady who is serving her country in Afghanistan. God Bless and protect my friend.

In memory of Paolo Mantovani

Amid many tribulations,
in the midst of so much sadness and despair,
in the midst of so much inhuman suffering,
in the midst of so much pain and helplessness,

We can find an island of peace and honest joy,
We can find a little peace of mind
To our consciences and hearts,

 

 from JavierVMaldonado on YouTube on a Mantovani and His Orchestra Selection

To hear examples of the outstanding orchestrations by Mantovani and His Orchestra, visit the website Jukebox.

Vocalion releases: "Songs Of Praise" by Mantovani And His Orchestra

From Theo Gelderblom, The Netherlands

We added some track segments for your review. Please note that the track segments are in Monaural and a much reduced sound quality than the recordings from Vocalion. If you have never heard Mantovani playing sacred music, this should convince you of his mastery. Simply click on the title that is hyperlinked to the MP3 file. We had to reduce quality to keep the file size reasonable.

Purchase direct from Dutton Laboratories:

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/

+44 1923 803 001

UK (01923) 803 001

Mantovani, the undisputed King of light 

orchestral music, makes yet another 

appearance on Vocalion, this time with 

his 1961 Decca album Songs of Praise. 

In partnership with his regular arranger, 

Cecil Milner, Mantovani produces rich, 

spellbinding orchestral renditions

of hymns.  Also included is Rock 

of Ages, which originally only appeared 

in the American version of the album. For some of 

the hymns, the Sammes Chorus accompanies Mantovani's

 orchestra, adding a further to dimension to what is 

a characteristically gorgeous Mantovani album. 
 
NEW VOCALION RELEASE CDLF 8133 : 
MANTOVANI AND HIS ORCHESTRA
"SONGS OF PRAISE"
ORIGINAL LP SKL 4152 (1961) STEREO
-A Mighty Fortress is our God (Luther; Hedges arr Milner)
-Whispering Hope (Hawthorne arr Mantovani)* 
-Nearer my God to Thee (Mason arr Milner)* 
-The Lord's my Shepherd (Grant arr Milner) 
-Abide with Me (Monk; Lyte arr Milner) 
-Onward Christian Soldiers (Sullivan; Baring-Gold arr Milner)*
-The Holy City (Adams; Weatherly arr Mantovani)
-Eternal Father Strong to Save (Dykes; Whiting arr Milner)*
-Beautiful Isle of Somewhere (Fearis; Pounds arr Mantovani)
-Jesu, Lover of my Soul (Parry; Wesley arr Milner) 
-Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach arr Milner) 
-Little Brown Church in the Vale (Pitts arr Mantovani)
=All People that on Earth do Dwell (Bourgeois; Kethe arr Mantovani)
-Rock of Ages (Hastings; Redhead; Toplady arr Milner)*
* with the Sammes Chorus

From Colin MacKenzie:

Anyone who knows this landmark album well will be delighted to learn that the 14 tracks recorded at three sessions at Kingsway Hall and West Hampstead in August 1961 are reunited at last. When the American version of the LP was originally issued, "Rock of Ages" was included, but "All people that on earth do dwell" was omitted; similarly, the 13 track British LP issue did not include "Rock of Ages". Now that this augmented "Songs of Praise" album is available in a single 50 minute + CD format at a bargain price, it should be snapped up by all Mantovani fans, especially those in Britain for whom it is appearing for the first time on CD. Even if you are not remotely religious, this selection of music is utterly glorious, for it succeeds in inspiring and moving the soul, particularly in these troubled times.



 

Three of the pieces were recorded using the Kingsway Hall organ and there are five that include a muted female vocal chorus supplied by Mike Sammes which in no way detracts from the overall presentation. Indeed, where appropriate, these choral harmonies are skilfully welded into the arrangements which, for the most part, lay in the hands of master arranger Cecil Milner who contributed to as many as nine of the 14 scores. His sterling work on the album is rightfully acknowledged in the detailed sleeve notes which tell for the first time the story behind the album. Cecil's contribution to Mantovani's successes was crucial, and this is perhaps his crowning moment.

It seems that Monty carefully pondered a collection of hymns and songs of praise for at least 18 months, considering all the while how such melodies could be recorded without using the so familiar lyrics. How well he triumphed can be experienced here. Everyone will have his or her own particular favourite, but it would be invidious of this reviewer to single out any one particular track. It's quite simply a wonderful collection, one of Mantovani's best, and an essential addition to the collections of all lovers of good music. Our grateful thanks should go to Mike Dutton at Vocalion for making this superb album available. For this particular reviewer it's just wonderful to be able to sing the praises of this great album once more.

Colin MacKenzie

Editor's Note: The music of Mantovani's "Songs of Praise" inspires lots of correspondence to this website from all over the world. When you hear the arrangements of Mantovani and Milner, you will understand, regardless of your religion or faith.  I am sure this will be another winner for Vocalion. I haven't heard the CD yet but I am certain Mike Dutton and his engineers have done an outstanding job. I know that I will hear things in the playing that I never realized previous as a result of their work.

New Vocalion Release: Strauss Waltzes and Mantovani Favourites

For more New Releases information go to our New Releases page by clicking here:

Original LP cover art:

STRAUSS WALTZES
ORIGINAL LP DECCA SKL 4010 (1958) STEREO
Blue Danube (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)
Voices of Spring (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)
Roses from the South (Johann Strauss arr Milner)
Emperor Waltz (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)
A Thousand and One Nights (Johann Strauss arr Milner)
Treasure Waltz 'The Gypsy Baron' (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)
Village Swallows (Josef Strauss arr Mantovani)
Wine, Women and Song (Johann Strauss arr Milner)
Accelerations (Johann Strauss arr Milner)
Tales from the Vienna Woods (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)
Morning Papers (Johann Strauss arr Milner)
You and You 'Die Fledermaus' (Johann Strauss arr Mantovani)

MANTOVANI FAVOURITES
ORIGINAL LP DECCA SKL 5271 (1977) STEREO
Londonderry Air (Trad arr Mantovani)
A Walk in the Black Forest (Jankowski; Cowen)
Dream (Mercer)
Dark Eyes (Trad arr Mantovani)
Welcome Home (Beldone; Dupre; Blackburn)
The Party's Over (Styne; Comden; Green)
The Happy Wanderer (Möller; Ridge; Siegesmunde)
Polonaise in A (Chopin arr Kaye; Mossman)
A Trumpeter's Lullaby (Anderson)
The Whiffenpoof Song (Galloway; Pomeroy; Minnegerode)
Tulips from Amsterdam (Arnie; Martyn; Bader)
Auld Lang Syne (Trad arr Mantovani)

From Colin MacKenzie:
The first of four Mantovani album releases for the Christmas market and beyond is the million selling "Strauss Waltzes" which began life as a mono LP back in 1952. The version offered here, however, is the wonderful stereo recording made by Mantovani in 1958 which does rather fuller justice to these sparkling waltzes than a mono album could ever do. In some cases the Mantovani - Milner arrangements from 1952 have been lengthened to great advantage. If you want to hear these waltzes played with verve and enthusiasm by an orchestra of many colours, this is the Strauss album to obtain. So many highlights - the flowing energy of the "Blue Danube", the lovely "Roses from the South", "Village Swallows" with its intriguing stereo effects, the charming "Treasure Waltz" and the timeless "Tales from the Vienna Woods", to name but a few. The entire package is a truly memorable step back into a world of gaiety, romance and charm. Its two-in-one companion was a 1977 hybrid, consisting of previously released tracks together with about seven not heard anywhere else on CD. Compiled by record producer Tony D'Amato, at a time when the maestro was ill and had retired from all musical activity, it includes several choice items such as "Dream" from 1966, "Welcome home" and "Till the end of time" from 1974 or thereabouts and the perennnial favourite "Auld Lang Syne", recorded in early 1962 for Continental listeners. The comprehensive notes, which give an interesting slant on the life of Johann Strauss the Younger, are by Mantovani buff Scott Raeburn.

UK (01923) 803 001

New Vocalion Release: MANTOVANI MAGIC & CONCERT ENCORES

For more New Releases information go to our New Releases page by clicking here:

MANTOVANI MAGIC
ORIGINAL LP SKL 4749 (1966) STEREO
Misty (Garner; Burke)
Red Roses for a Blue Lady (Tepper; Brodsky)
Chim Chim Cher-ee (R M & R B Sherman)
Love Me with All Your Heart (C & M Rigual; Vaughn)
Goodnight Sweetheart (Noble; Campbell; Connolly)
Cara Mia (Trapani; Lange)
I Wish You Love (Trenet; Beach)
Lover (Rodgers; Hart)
Stardust (Carmichael; Parish)
Mona Lisa (Livingston; Evans)
Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Rodgers; Hart)
Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart (Storch; Sexton; Turner)

CONCERT ENCORES
ORIGINAL LP SKL 4021 (1959) STEREO
Clair de Lune (Debussy arr Mantovani)
Spanish Dance (Granados arr Mantovani)
Can-Can 'La Boutique Fantasque' (Rossini arr Respighi)
Chanson de Matin (Elgar arr Mantovani)
Gipsy Airs (Zigeunerweisen) (Sarasate arr Mantovani)
Autumn (Chaminade arr Milner)
Song of India (Rimsky-Korsakov arr Mantovani)
Schön Rosmarin (Kreisler orch Mantovani)
Méditation 'Thaïs' (Massenet arr Mantovani)
Perpetuum Mobile (Johann Strauss II arr Milner)

UK (01923) 803 001

Announcing the Release (in Japan only) of the ten CD Set, "The Wonderful World of Mantovani."

If anyone doubts the strength of the resurgence of Mantovani, the King of Light Orchestra Music, this should dash that opinion. What a wonderful set. My friend Akima Toru was responsible for much of the production. The notes are from Mantovani biographer Colin MacKenzie. As anyone will see on this site, the recording notes and reviews from Colin are informative and educational. Click on the picture below to go to the Japan information and order site. Remember that the set is only available in Japan. Tell them you learned of the release on the Mantovani Fan Website. My friend Akima Toru notes: The track, "Kanashi I" by Mantovani And His Orchestra is the first release of this recording in the world. Thank you Toru.