Filmmakers and composers carefully select the melodies that will not only accompany the movie, but also influence the atmosphere of their work and enhance the viewer’s emotional engagement with the plot. Film music has grown a lot since its humble beginnings in the early 1910s and is rightfully considered an art form. For this reason, live music tributes to popular scores and soundtracks are becoming more popular every day.
And why shouldn’t they be? Film music elevates the whole movie experience. It makes us audiences go on a roller-coaster of emotions and it can make us fall in love with or even despise characters. What’s more, whenever you go to a soundtrack tribute, you get to relive all these feelings and emotions one more time and travel back to iconic scenes that have changed the film industry for the better.
The Candlelight series pays tribute to all music genres, including film scores and soundtracks. Discover upcoming concerts here.
Mood and atmosphere
Music in film is incredibly important when it comes to setting the tone. A suspenseful score can create an eerie atmosphere, whereas a light and joyful soundtrack can set a playful and jovial mood, adding to the overall narrative. Particularly when the filmmakers only use visual and audio cues, film music can provide an emotional subtext without the need for dialogue. For instance, a melancholic and sad song can create an emotional undercurrent of despair and helplessness.
Character emotions
Oftentimes, scores and soundtracks takes audiences on an auditory and emotional journey of the characters themselves. They help to give audiences a richer understanding of who the protagonists, antagonists and the supporting characters are and even what their role is in the movie. In turn, viewers can connect more deeply with the characters and their journeys.
A Fun Film Score Fact
Most of the silent films in the beginning of the 20th century originally had live orchestras perform their scores during screenings, almost like a live music show, because recorded soundtracks only became popular in the late 1920s. Their use first gained traction to cover the noisy projectors during film screenings.
If you’re looking for a captivating recreation of iconic soundtracks, Candlelight is exploring the emotional depth and complexity of film music, composed by notable artists and musicians. All of the drama and cinematic beauty of films, TV shows and anime is frequently recreated through at unique venues across Calgary.