Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing by Sammy Fain - Improvised by pianist Charles Manning

“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” was composed by Sammy Fain, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. The Academy Award-winning song was written for the 1955 movie of the same name, starring William Holden and Jennifer Jones. From 1967-1973, a television soap opera inspired by the movie used “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” as its theme song. The song’s refrain is based on the opera aria “Un bel di” from Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The 1955 single of ”Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” by The Four Aces from the album “Hits From Hollywood” peaked at No. 1 on both the Billboard and Cash Box charts. Other performers who have recorded the song include Don Cornell, Bing Crosby, Ringo Starr, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Shirley Bassey, Nat King Cole, and Barry Manilow, among others. Neil Sedaka and Connie Francis both recorded the song in Italian. In this full orchestral, operatic style arrangement, pianist Charles Manning improvises the popular “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.” Award: Academy Award for Best Original Song (1955), Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, Recipients