Music has the ability to evoke powerful emotions in people, but a carefully selected soundtrack can help to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a scene and even turn a good movie into a great one. Star Wars by John Williams and The Godfather by Nino Rota, among the best soundtracks of all time are proof of this. As it’s evolved, film music has become an art form in its own right and it is often celebrated by concerts all over the world.
Not only do they highlight beloved soundtracks that have changed the world of cinema, but they also offer a great opportunity to relive your favorite on-screen moments. Discover the Candlelight series in Richmond for film score concerts inspired by everything from Joe Hisaishi’s anime themes to pieces from epic fantasy series.
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All Upcoming Candlelight soundtrack tribute concerts
Where to see live film score concerts in Richmond
Set in a gorgeous atmosphere provided by the twinkling lights of thousands of candles at the city’s premier venues, you can hear beloved soundtracks that have been ingrained in our minds. Candlelight spaces include the Bolling Haxall House. Outside of the Candlelight concert series, even other venues such as the Carpenter Theatre and Dominion Energy Center have showcased some of the most epic soundtracks.
I see a parallel industry for independent music blooming alongside film music. — Amit Trivedi
How do great soundtracks help storytelling in film?
Mood and atmosphere
Soundtracks are a crucial part of storytelling because they also set the tone and mood of a scene. Audiences can immediately feel relaxed if they hear a slow and joyful tune. By contrast, their heart gets racing when there is fast-paced music playing. Additionally, if string instruments are featured, musicians tend to use the pizzicato technique of plucking the strings to create a tense feeling.
Foreshadowing
Another function of film music is to warn or indicate that something is going to happen in the future. Particularly in epic or horror movies, this technique is characterized by a contrast of high and dissonant notes and a low pitch to create more tension. An example includes something that many blockbusters these days use, the crescendo (an increase in notes and texture), that builds up until there’s complete silence.
A Fun Film Score Fact
The first ever documented score in film was a Camille Saint-Saëns original for Assassination of Duc de Guise in 1908, a French film d’art silent film directed by Andre Calmettes. The film is 17 minutes long.