• Tracks

Mantovani & His Orchestra - All The Hits And More: Orchestral Classics 1936-62 - Born in Venice, Italy, in 1905 into a musical family, he moved to the UK in 1912, and after studying at Trinity College formed his own orchestra, and during the 1930s became one of the most popular British dance bands. He started recording for Columbia and Decca in the UK, and had his first hit in 1936. Developing a sound and technique he called "Cascading Strings" he continued having hits on both sides of the Atlantic right through to the '60s, as well as being in the vanguard of the stereo album boom of the 1960s and '70s. This 45-track 2-CD collection comprises all his hits from this era on Columbia, Decca and London, along with selected classic orchestral recordings from his singles and EPs from these years. It features his UK No. 1 and US No. 8 with "The Theme From Moulin Rouge", and his UK and US Top 10 hits with "Red Sails In The Sunset", "Serenade In The Night", "Charmaine", "White Christmas" and Swedish Rhapsody", and the Top 20 hit "Around The World", plus hits with British singer David Whitfield, including the UK No.1 "Cara Mia". It also includes famous orchestral pieces like "Warsaw Concerto", "Cornish Rhapsody", "Legend of A Glass Mountain", "Dream of Olwen", Intermezzo", "Tales From The Vienna Woods" and others. For lovers of this style of lush melodic orchestral music it makes for a thoroughly entertaining programme.