Mantovani: A Lifetime in Music [Hardcover]

This 24 chapter book tells the story of Mantovani's quest for musical perfection and how he achieved it. Written with the enthusiastic endorsement of his family, his record producer, several former musicians, Decca luminaries and Mantovani fans, this is the 'real deal', a book that 'no Mantovani fan or anyone interested in light orchestral music can afford to be without.' 'Mantovani - a Lifetime in Music' tells his story as it has never been told before, getting behind the legend to examine: - his childhood - his views on music - his success as a dance band leader in the 1930s - his theatre activities with Noel Coward and Lupino Lane - Charmaine and Ronnie Binge - his phenomenal success in the 1950s when he became Britain's top record seller - his American and British tours, his recordings and film work

Until now there has been no biography available of Mantovani, the British light orchestra leader, who was his country's leading record seller before the advent of The Beatles. Now for the first time we have the chance to look at an in depth account of Mantovani's amazing career in music, from his early ambitions to become a classical musician to being in charge of what has been called "the most distinctive and beautiful sound in the world of orchestral music that the world has ever known". In writing this book I have had the co-operation of his family, various surviving musicians or their relatives, his record producer,one of his leading arrangers and record collectors and fans. The result is a lively 24 chapter account of the maestro's career and his views on music. Included is a complete chapter on his theatre relations with Noel Coward,two chapters dealing with his American and Canadian tours and much more besides. I have included 4 appendices, dealing with his record issues, his compositions, his US concert programmes and his British musicians. This is the "real deal", the Mantovani story as it has never been told before. It should interest all Mantovani fans and also those who follow 20th century popular music.

This 24 chapter book tells the story of Mantovani's quest for musical perfection and how he achieved it. Written with the enthusiastic endorsement of his family, his record producer, several former musicians, Decca luminaries and Mantovani fans, this is the "real deal", a book that no Mantovani fan or anyone interested in light orchestral music can afford to be without. Mantovani - A Lifetime In Music tells his story as it has never been told before, getting behind the legend to examine: his childhood, his views on music, his success as a dance band leader in the 1930s,his theate activities with Noel Coward and Lupino Lane, Charmaine and Ronnie Binge, his phenomenal success in the 1950s when he became Britain's top record seller, and his American and British tours, his recordings and film work.

Mantovani The full story of Britain's "Ambassador Of Music".
Meticulously researched, Mantovani - A Lifetime in Music which covers his entire musical career from 1921-1975 will interest all light music devotees and students of 20th Century popular music.

Colin MacKenzie is a retired civil servant who has collected Mantovani's recordings from all eras since 1959. Upon hearing 'Under Paris Skies' for the first time, he was completely 'hooked' and since then has sought out many rare items for his own collection. He contributes to the Mantovani fan website and corresponds with collectors all over the world. In conjunction with Alan Dixon, he has helped compile a listing of Mantovani's British musicians. His other interests are in art history, good music of all sorts, rambling and West Bromwich Albion FC, where he is a shareholder and season ticket holder.