Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Henry Mancini Chorus was an American composer, conductor, and arranger who was born on April 16, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Italian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father, Quinto Mancini, was a steelworker who played the flute and piccolo in local bands, and his mother, Anna Pece, was a singer. Mancini began playing the piano at the age of eight and showed a natural talent for music. He studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City and later at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. After serving in the Army during World War II, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in music. Mancini started his career as a pianist and arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He then worked as a composer and arranger for the Universal-International film studio, where he wrote music for films such as "The Glenn Miller Story" and "The Benny Goodman Story." In 1958, he composed the score for the film "Touch of Evil," which was directed by Orson Welles. Mancini's breakthrough came in 1961 when he composed the score for the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The film's theme song, "Moon River," became a hit and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Mancini also won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the film. Mancini went on to compose music for many other films, including "Days of Wine and Roses," "The Pink Panther," and "Victor/Victoria." He won four more Academy Awards for his film scores and was nominated for a total of 18 Academy Awards throughout his career. In addition to his work in film, Mancini also composed music for television. He wrote the theme songs for shows such as "Peter Gunn," "Mr. Lucky," and "The Pink Panther Show." He also composed music for the NBC Mystery Movie series, which included shows such as "Columbo" and "McCloud." Mancini was known for his distinctive style, which combined elements of jazz, pop, and classical music. He often used unusual instruments in his compositions, such as the harpsichord and the vibraphone. His music was characterized by its catchy melodies, lush orchestration, and sophisticated harmonies. Mancini was also a talented conductor and arranger. He conducted many of his own compositions and arranged music for other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Andy Williams. He also recorded many albums of his own music, including "The Pink Panther," "Mr. Lucky," and "The Days of Wine and Roses." Mancini's contributions to music were recognized with many awards and honors. In addition to his Academy Awards, he won four Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Television Hall of Fame in 1996. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1969. Mancini continued to work in music until his death on June 14, 1994, at the age of 70. His music remains popular today and is often used in films, television shows, and commercials. He is remembered as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century and a pioneer in the field of film music.

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