Customer Reviews

Mantovani at the Movies

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In this year in which fans celebrate Mantovani's 100th birthday, another excellent British compilation of some of the great maestro's original recordings has been released. The tracks on this CD come predominantly from Mantovani's 1957 bestselling LP, Film Encores, his 1959 Film Encores Volume 2, and his 1967 LP entitled "Mantovani/Hollywood." Up until now, the six tracks from the Hollywood LP have been the most difficult to find on CD in locations other than Japan, and it includes Monty's exciting arrangements of the themes from Zorba the Greek, the Magnficent Seven, Lawrence of Arabia, and You Only Live Twice. While these alone are worth the CD price, the remaining selections comprise the very best of Mantovani's film music library, including Unchained Melody (now better known as the theme from the movie "Ghost"), April Love, the theme from The Apartment, and Charlie Chaplin's Limelight. Attentive Mantovani fans will hear the inclusion of a less heard variation of the "golden hit" Moon River in which the maestro replaced the trumpet solo with the soprano sax in a later recording of this forever popular number. Sooner or later, and we hope sooner, everything recorded by the original orchestra led by the incomparable Mantovani will appear on CD. That is a just and fitting tribute to the most popular light orchestra leader in the 20th Century whose music will live on and will be heard to delight fans all over the world in the 21st.

Mantovani & His Orchestra always played so well to satisfy their audiences; and when you hear this fantastic album of movie hits you'll be sure to agree! These musical numbers are universally arranged with great sensitivity; and that's excellent. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and I like that artwork, too.

"Unchained Melody" begins the track set; this beautiful melody uses the strings to great advantage and it's very easy on the ear--what great music this is! "Moon River" comes from the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's;" Mantovani and his band give this their all and I'm struck by the natural beauty of this number. It's flawless--this music is all THAT good. In addition, we also get "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz;" Mantovani's group delivers this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note and that intro they play is very elegant as well. "Three Coins in the Fountain" is a most poignant song that has stood the test of time; I always like to hear this ballad with or without vocals.

"Limelight" is very pretty; and listen for Mantovani & His Orchestra to outdo even themselves on "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" from the movie of the same name. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" uses the brass, drums and strings in particular to make this shine brighter than silver and gold; I love it. Moreover, "A Certain Smile" is absolutely charming; Mantovani and his mates do this one up right and it's easily a major highlight of this album. "The Magnificent Seven" is dramatic and energetic at once; and I really like this, too.

"Tara's Theme" from "Gone with the Wind" is another stunner of a musical number; they play this to perfection--and beyond! The theme from "Zorba the Greek" is very well done; and I particularly enjoy hearing them perform the theme from the James Bond movie entitled "Goldfinger." "Lawrence of Arabia" is another number with a rather lush musical arrangement that works very well; it just couldn't have been done any better.

"Lara's Theme" comes from the movie "Doctor Zhivago;" and it's one of my favorites on this CD. "Lara's Theme" has a wonderful melody; and Mantovani & His Orchestra do a splendid job on "Fiddler on the Roof" from the musical of the same name. "The Apartment" has a very elegant piano arrangement; and "Be My Love" is also very nicely done. The album ends very well with Mantovani & His Orchestra performing "Friendly Persuasion" and it rounds out the track set very well.

All in all, if you want five star movie music from the great Mantovani & His Orchestra, this is it! I highly recommend this for Mantovani fans; and people who enjoy easy listening will not be disappointed.

This is a very good collection of Montovani film music. These recording are so soothing and pleasing to the ear. Most impressive are Montovani's versions of YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is incredibly beautiful.

Sometimes I listen to this CD softly as background music and other times I like it as loud as if I was sitting in the audience at a symphony orchestra. Mantovani's touch is that he plays the music without overpowering the song and oscillating between loud and soft like some orchestras. Many of these songs were great vocal hits and I have them. But sometimes I just want to enjoy the melody.

When you say Mantovani, you said it all. Lush and inventive arrangements make this staple music always fresh in the hands of the Maestro. No hesitation in recommending it. I am a fan I know but who isn't?

Montovani At The Movies is a beautiful cd. I play this cd often.