Before digital music, cinemagoers watched the latest film and later ran out to buy the soundtrack on vinyl. Having this meant you possessed a cultural statement, something that belonged to the day, that moment in time, and cinema. Although they can be heard on music apps, many music lovers now choose to attend a live music performance showcasing the function of music in film.
A great melody can transport you to another world. – Henry Mancini
The Candlelight series pays tribute to all music genres, including film scores and soundtracks. Discover upcoming concerts here.
Character emotion
Any actor worth their salt can shed an emotional tear, pull a face that speaks volumes, and offer a wicked grimace full of vengeance. However, the addition of music can enhance the characters’ emotions. It tells us things without having to hear them from the protagonist’s lips. Thanks to John Williams, we even know when Bruce the shark is enraged.
Sense of time and place
To be fully immersed in the time and place in which a TV show or film is set, relying on the music to guide you is easy. When it comes to genres, for example, the use of stylistic elements typically identifiable in anime or sci-fi music will transport viewers to that world. Country songs leave you in a sleepy southern part of the US, and an electronic hit will jolt you into a more modern reality.
A Fun Film Score Fact
Paul Simon’s namedropping in “Mrs. Robinson” (from The Graduate) didn’t go unnoticed as Joe DiMaggio himself approached Paul Simon in a restaurant and asked why he is mentioned in the song. Simon told him it was a comment on the lack of true American heroes.
They help form our dreams, let us escape for a while, and cast a relatable spell on us—movies and TV shows should be celebrated. So why not honour and acknowledge the beauty of film music by attending a Candlelight concert at a one-of-a-kind venue?