Scores have always played a key role in generating the full cinematic experience. Even during the silent era of film (1894-1929), many movie theaters hired in-house pianists or orchestras to perform live music that would accompany the action on screen. Nowadays, film music is as important as ever, and there are even tribute concerts in Denver dedicated to epic soundtracks that have helped shape how we experience film.
The spectacular atmosphere at a Candlelight concerts in Denver somehow brings the magic of famous soundtracks to life in a new and unexpected way. Tributes to famous composers like Joe Hisaishi, and music from Bridgerton are experiences you won’t want to miss out on.
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Featured Candlelight soundtrack tribute
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Enjoy a magical evening with a special tribute to one of the greatest living composers in music history, Joe Hisaishi. He’s also a musical director, conductor and pianist, but we best know him for his immense contribution to cinema and the world of anime, scoring over 100 films since the 1980s. Hear “Opening Theme” from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, “Path of the Wind” from My Neighbour Totoro, and many more moving melodies at the historic Trinity United Methodist Church.
All upcoming Candlelight soundtrack tribute concerts
Where to see live film score concerts in Denver
Immerse yourself in an evening of cinema and music at a unique Candlelight soundtrack concert in Denver. Tributes to famous soundtracks and film scores deserve the dramatic backdrop of breathtaking venues in the city as well as a sea of candles, and that’s exactly what Candlelight provides. Venues include the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Kirk of Highland, and St Cajetan’s.
Renowned locations like Boettcher Concert Hall, the Paramount Theatre, andRed Rocks Amphitheatre have hosted film-related performances also.
I think it’s great to see that there is such a connection to film music and the way people react or connect to a character or scene. — Ramin Djawadi
How do great soundtracks help storytelling in film?
Dramatic Effect
Adding music to a film is one of the most effective ways of creating tension for the audience. Think of any famous scene from a horror movie, and there’s probably a composition that’s just as famous. Take the Psycho shower scene. The bloodcurdling, high-pitched sounds of string instruments are as iconic as the scene itself. And of course, the menacing notes heard when the man-eating shark rears its head in Jaws is enough to get the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up.
Mood and Atmosphere
From the playlist at a party to live piano performances in a restaurant, music helps set the scene for any situation, and movies are no different. When we hear a certain song or melody from a film, we’re immediately transported to fictional worlds. Scored by Howard Shore, The Lord of the Rings is a great example of this. Scenes of The Shire’s rolling hills and quaint houses are accompanied by cheery Celtic-influenced melodies, while eerie, sinister sounds land us right in the heart of the dark, gritty lands of Mordor.
A Fun Film Score Fact
We’ve all busted a move to “Stayin’ Alive” from the 1977 hit film Saturday Night Fever, but did you know that it’s also the perfect song to listen or sing to when performing CPR? The song is one of the Bee Gees’ best-selling hits, and it also has the ideal rhythm of 100-120 compressions per minute to perform the maneuver correctly. Pretty ironic, right?