 |  | Again the Strings Cascade |  |
Mantovani has become synonymous with "elevator music." Aside from the fact that about as many elevators still carry music as they do operators, this is cruel injustice. Arguably more than anyone else, Mantovani perfected a particular kind of "light classicism" in the 1950s and early 60s. The arrangements he commissioned were at once lush yet restrained. At the podium he was an exacting taskmaster, and his talented musicians rose to the maestro's challenge. The result, in this CD, is a dozen of his best-known covers--and this is Mantovani, not simply the eponymous orchestra that would later travel under his name.
Duke Ellington said that there is, finally, only two kinds of music: good and bad. Of its kind, this is very, very good. If this is "lounge music," then show me the way. I could lounge here for a very long time.
September 18, 2007 | | WONDERFUL... The Mantovani way! | |
Mantovani was of the best! We had almost everything Mantovani did on 33 1/3 until Katrina washed it away. I am delighted to be able to get this on a CD. If you don't want to become a Mantovani devotee, don't listen to this as it will entrance you. WONDERFUL music...
August 29, 2007 | | Painfully dull, cluelessly retro | |
It's possible that someone out there might still find favor with the over-orchestrated, over-produced music here - the kind that was once commonly used in dentist's offices and elevators to soothe the listener's nerves. These days, while other retro music like Martin Denny can have an agreeably continental flair, Mantovani is just plain dull. This is music of the worst possible type: drained of personality and soul, where even the occasional more modern song (mid sixties) comes off as stilted. This kind of thing has long been replaced by easy-listening jazz; not even the uncoolest of the Star Search generation would be caught dead with this in their closet.
This kind of dreck gives you sympathy for the poor listener whose musical background is so impoverished as to make this music an option.
April 28, 2007Takes you back to a time when really good music was coming from car radios. Believe it or not, these fine tunes were big hits even with younger listeners.
January 3, 2007Mantovani's Golden Hits has been in my life for many years. I first purchased this particular Sound track for my mother as a Christmas present in the 1960's as a 33 rpm record. She so loved the composer and many of the musical selections. She played this often and I grew up appreciating the gorgeous orchestra music when the rage was rock and roll. My mother died many years ago but I kept her record. I did listen to it as I was raising my children. My son is now getting married and wanted a beautiful waltz to dance with his bride at the reception. He requested my help in finding "Moon River" without the lyrics and in perfect waltz tempo. I immediately pulled out my 33 rpm and played it for him. I then ordered the cd for him to play at his wedding reception. All the selections on this CD are so beautifully arranged and timeless.
August 22, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(13 reviews)