Golden Hits – MANTOVANI*****

Charmaine/Moon River/Moulin Rouge Theme/Summertime In Venice/Diane/Exodus Main Theme/Greensleeves/ Games That People Play/La Vie En Rose/Around The World/Some Enchanted Evening/Swedish Rhapsody

Best of collection that features some of the best known Mantovani recordings. With Golden Hits you can be sure of hearing the authentic Mantovani arrangements as the maestro himself intended. (US:53 UK:10)

"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 LP, is a dozen of his best known covers - and this is Mantovani, not simply the eponymous orchestra that would later travel under his name."

"Offers a good introduction to Mantovani. The opening track, Charmaine, was Mantovani's trademark, with a definitive use of the cascading strings technique. Other highlights include the various subtle uses of the accordion in The Moulin Rouge Theme and La Vie En Rose." "This is what we were forced to listen to before rock & roll became accepted music for the masses. The term 'elevator music' got it's start here."

"All of the hallmarks of the authentic Mantovani sound are found on these selections."

"If you have only one LP of Mantovani to buy, this is the one to get. Beware once you do, you may become a huge fan like the rest of us and this will be one of many."

"Mantovani is not popular amongst many of the rock and roll lovers, but even they must tire of listening to the Abbey Road, Led Zep IV, and Blood On The Tracks after a while, and when they do, if they can open their minds ever so briefly, they might discover the exquisite stylings of Mantovani. Romantic arrangements of some of the great songs of the last century are played to perfection on this wonderful record. I wish they played this in my elevator."

"The warmth you feel with every note and the exuberance of the music. Such a refreshing, wonderful LP that awakens the spirit and makes you soar with the music."