Search - Mantovani & His Orchestra :: Cascading Strings [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

The Recordings that Launched a Legend

Thomas E. DeJulio | Bronxville, NY USA | 04/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The soaring and shimmering violins of Mantovani's legendary orchestra featured on this spectacular 99-track collection will send chills up and down your spine. No one knew how to draw out the melodic line of popular tunes better than Mantovani, and the evidence can be heard in each of the 99 featured in this set. These were the first original recordings featuring the large, three dozen string orchestra that launched the unique sound and a musical career of phenomenal proportions. Some in today's world might snicker at the mention of Mantovani's name and the sound that has been called a cascading falls of fiddles. But to a Fifties generation recovering from a traumatic second World War followed by a Cold War prospect of human annihilation, the ethereal sounds created by the genius of Mantovani offered the desired amelioration and escape. How else can one explain Mantovani as the most popular British musical act in America before the arrival of the Beatles? The collection assembled on this CD reflect the range and versatility of the Mantovani sound. Just listen to the Mantovani sound on Brahms's Cradle Song, Romberg's Drinking Song, Victor Herbert's Neopolitan Street Song, the tango El Choclo, and Stephen Foster's Beautiful Dreamer. You will hear familiar melodies still popular today like you never heard them before. Listen to all 99 melodies, and you will understand why Mantovani became, and remains, an incomparable musical legend."

A Mantovani Afficionado Must Buy

R. Cox | 04/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Mantovani "Cascading Violins" 4CD offering is a Mantovani afficionado must! This is Mantovani at the beginning of his large string orchestra career with the sensational sound that went on to make him a household word. There is much, much more than cascading violins on this CD compilation and the discriminating listener will hear the lush violins and hushed horns reminiscent of the real Mantovani of old. The re-mastering is crystal clear and there isn't a bad song among the 99 selections. The purchaser cannot go wrong on this offering. It's a must buy!"

Mantovani Cascading Strings---- The best ever!

David J. Mackey | Pittsfield, MA | 01/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having listen to Mantovani's recordings as I child, thanks to my parents, I grew to like the music. Over some 50 years of moving around, family, job, etc., I lost most of the original albums that I grew up with. Having purchased newer releases over the years, though the music was still great to listen to, it just wasn't presented quite the way I remembered hearing it as a child, and on some songs like 'Greensleeves', {my favorite} I was sure it wasn't the way I heard it as a child. When I saw the advertisement for Mantovani Cascading Strings collection w/ORIGINAL RECORDINGS from the early 50's, that really put the hook in me and I ordered it. If they were not the original recordings, I would know it right off and the CD's I would return. Well, long story short, I kept the CD's, and they are the original recordings!! Just the way I remembered them, and they brought back a lot of memories. The very first song I played off the Cascading Strings CD when it arrived was, Greensleeves, and just on the very first few bars, I said, "That's It!" Now, that I have listen to the entire set, I have to say that this is one of the best purchases I've ever made, as I was able to re-coup the lost original sounds of my parents albums that I listen to so much.

Many Thanks

Dave Mackey



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