Annunzio Paolo Mantovani was an Anglo-Italian conductor, composer and light orchestra-styled entertainer with a cascading strings musical signature.
"It's April Again" is a popular song that first appeared in the 1952 film Moulin Rouge. It became a No. 1 hit in the UK Singles Chart when recorded by Mantovani. The music for the film was written by Georges Auric; the original French lyrics were by Jacques Larue, with the English words by William Engvick. The Auric-Engvick song was published in 1953.
"April in Portugal" is a popular song, also named "The Whisp'ring Serenade." The music was written by Raul Ferrão with Portuguese lyrics by José Galhardo as a fado named "Coimbra", about the city of that name in 1947. English lyrics written by Jimmy Kennedy were set to the music, though many of the most popular versions of the song were instrumentals. It is one of the signature songs of Portuguese singer and fadista Amália Rodrigues. It was also recorded in French by the tenor Luís Piçarra.
"Theme from A Summer Place" is a song with lyrics by Mack Discant and music by Max Steiner, written for the 1959 film A Summer Place, which starred Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. It was recorded for the film as an instrumental by Hugo Winterhalter. Originally known as the "Molly and Johnny Theme", this lush extended cue, as orchestrated by Murray Cutter, is not the main title theme of the film, but an oft-heard secondary love theme for the characters played by Dee and Donahue. The theme has become a canonical representation of the easy listening genre, and is considered by some to be the definitive easy listening track of all time.
"With These Hands" is a song written by Benny Davis and Abner Silver and performed by Eddie Fisher featuring Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra. It reached number 7 on the U.S. pop chart in 1953.
"Love Me Tonight" is a song performed by Tom Jones. It reached #2 on the adult contemporary chart, #9 on the UK Singles Chart, and #13 on the U.S. pop chart in 1969.
Gems Forever is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1958 by London. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on May 19, 1958, peaked at the No. 5 spot, and remained on the chart for 56 weeks. It was an RIAA certified gold album. AllMusic later gave the album a rating of four-and-a-half stars.
Mantovani Plays Music from Exodus and Other Great Themes is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1960 by London. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on December 5, 1960, held the No. 2 spot for five weeks, and remained on the chart for 44 weeks. It was an RIAA certified gold album. AllMusic later gave the album a rating of four-and-a-half stars.
Mantovani Stereo Showcase is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1959 by London. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on June 1, 1959, peaked at the No. 6 spot, and remained on the chart for 11 weeks. AllMusic later gave the album a rating of three stars.
Song Hits from Theatreland is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1955 by Decca. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on July 9, 1955, peaked at the No. 8 spot, and remained on the chart for eight weeks. It was an RIAA certified gold album .< AllMusic later gave the album a rating of three stars.
Strauss Waltzes is an album of music composed by Richard Strauss and performed by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1958 by London. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on November 24, 1958, peaked at the No. 7 spot, and remained on the chart for 24 weeks. It was an RIAA certified gold album.
Christmas Carols is an album of Christmas music by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was originally released in 1953 by London Records. It was recorded at Kingsway Hall in London with Charles Smart playing Kingsway Hall's organ. The album was re-recorded in stereo in 1958. The album includes an original Mantovani composition, "Midnight Waltz".
American Scene is an album of music by American songwriters performed by the Anglo-Italian conductor, Mantovani and His Orchestra. Side 1 consists entirely of music composed by Stephen Foster. It was released in 1959 by Decca Records. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on March 28, 1960, peaked at the No. 11 spot, and remained on the chart for 30 weeks. AllMusic later gave it a rating of three stars.
All-American Showcase is a double album of music by four American composers performed by the Anglo-Italian conductor Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1959 by London Recordings. Each of the four sides is dedicated to one of four composers: Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, and Rudolf Friml. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on January 4, 1960, peaked at the No. 8 spot, and remained on the chart for 18 weeks. AllMusic later gave it a rating of three stars.
Italia Mia is an album of Italian music by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1961 by Decca Records. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on June 26, 1961, peaked at the No. 8 spot, and remained on the chart for 15 weeks. AllMusic later gave it a rating of four-and-a-half stars.
Continental Encores is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1959 by Decca Records. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on February 16, 1959, peaked at the No. 13 spot, and remained on the chart for 31 weeks. AllMusic later gave it a rating of three stars.
Latin Rendezvous is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1963 by Decca Records. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on June 1, 1963, peaked at the No. 10 spot, and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.
American Waltzes is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1962 by London Recordings. It debuted on Billboard magazine's pop album chart on June 16, 1962, peaked at the No. 8 spot, and remained on the chart for 19 weeks. AllMusic later gave the album a rating of three stars.
Film Encores Vol. 2 is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1959 by London.
Songs to Remember is an album by Mantovani and His Orchestra. It was released in 1960 by London.
