It is widely recognized that music has the ability to evoke powerful emotions in people, and a well-chosen soundtrack can help to amplify the mood and atmosphere of a scene. Nowadays, film scores and soundtracks are considered an art form, resulting in a rise of tribute concerts featuring music from famous movies.
This season, the popular Candlelight concert series is recreating some of the best soundtracks of all time at gorgeous locations in Philly. Featuring classically-trained musicians that cover the works of legends like Joe Hisaishi, Danny Elfman and Ludovico Einaudi, these performances will take you back to watching your favorite flicks and blockbusters, all while you’re surrounded by a sea of twinkling candles.
Table Of Contents
Featured Candlelight soundtrack concert
Candlelight Spring: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
He’s one of the most celebrated composers, particularly known across the world for his contribution in anime movies. This Candlelight tribute is giving fans of the art form the chance to hear classical renditions of songs from films like Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo and Spirited Awayat the magnificent at the charming Bok Auditorium. By combining breathtaking live music with the flickering glow of candlelight, this sensational concert is sure to impress both movie and classical music fans alike.
All upcoming Candlelight soundtrack tribute concerts
Where to see live film score concerts in Philadelphia
If you want to travel back to iconic cinematic moments, Candlelight is dazzling audiences with tributes to legendary scores and iconic film composers. Taking place at Philly’s greatest venues, such as the Bok and Media Theatre For The Performing Arts, they showcase the beauty of film music in a breathtaking setting.
What’s more, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, The Met Philadelphia and Verizon Hall have also featured performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra. These scores have achieved commercial success and critical acclaim in their own right, and paired with the flicker of a sea of candles make for an unforgettable evening.
How do great soundtracks help storytelling in film?
Mood and atmosphere
Why speak when sometimes you can tell a whole narrative just with music? Soundtracks and scores are often used to set the mood of a scene or a situation. Depending on the tone and tempo, the music indicates if the atmosphere is relaxed, romantic, melancholic, happy or tense and dark.
Rhythm and Pacing
Similarly, music can also dictate the pacing of a film sequence. For instance, most action movies use forte dynamics, often with short accented notes and strong percussion to reflect intense and adrenaline-packed action scenes. Think for instance of the opening sequence of Baby Driver (2017). The song “Bellbottoms” is perfectly synchronized to the high-speed getaway, with every tire screech timed precisely to the beats and rhythms of the song.
A Fun Film Score Fact
Although scores and soundtracks today are a vital part of filmmaking, scholars are of the opinion that they were first used to drown the excessive noise of the early projectors. It’s worth contextualizing that the sound-absorbent walls between the projection machine and the auditorium had not yet been invented.