Annunzio Paolo Mantovani
Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, born on November 15, 1905, in Venice, Italy, was an Italian-born British conductor and composer renowned for his "cascading strings" musical style. His father, a violinist at La Scala under Arturo Toscanini, moved the family to England in 1912, where Mantovani later studied at Trinity College of Music in London. By age 16, he was performing as a professional violinist, and he soon transitioned to leading his own orchestra.
Mantovani's orchestra gained popularity in England during World War II, and he served as musical director for several theatrical productions. After the war, he focused on recording rather than live performances, collaborating with arranger Ronnie Binge to develop his signature lush orchestral sound. This "Mantovani sound" became a hallmark of easy listening music.
Mantovani's recording career was prolific, with over 50 albums recorded for Decca and London Records. He achieved significant success in the United States, with more than 40 albums charting between 1955 and 1972, including the number one album "Film Encores" in 1957. His singles, such as "Charmaine" and "The Song from Moulin Rouge," were also major hits.
Mantovani's music was widely used for hi-fi stereo demonstrations, and he became the first artist to sell over one million stereophonic records. Despite the rise of rock and roll, his easy listening music remained popular, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Annunzio Paolo Mantovani passed away on March 30, 1980, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most successful bandleaders of his time.
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