We often find ourselves humming the tunes of the movie we just watched, when coming out of the cinema. Sometimes they get stuck in our heads and sometimes it happens, because they are intricate works of art that really capture the emotional intensity of the film or scene. For this reason, the enchanting Candlelight concert series has a very special treat for music lovers and cinephiles alike. This season, it’s hosting marvelous tributes to iconic film scores at Edinburgh’s greatest locations.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, The Caves and St. Giles Cathedral will get a Candlelight glow, as first rate musicians perform, surrounded by a sea of flickering candles. And there’s nothing like a well-chosen soundtrack to amplify the mood, so sit back, relax and let the power of music take over you!
100 Years of Warner Bros. at St. Mary’s Cathedral
Founded in 1923, the legendary Hollywood studio is being celebrated by Candlelight with a tribute concert to some of the studio’s most beloved film scores. In honour of Warner Bros. centenary, you can hear classical renditions of the themes from The Wizard Of Oz, Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory and The Exorcist, among others.
As the gifted musicians of The Quartet Scotland perform, St. Mary’s Cathedral nave will light up with hundreds of candles twinkling and flickering in the background. It will make for a stunning performance and a night to remember.
The Best of Hans Zimmer
If you’re a devoted cinephile, you’ll be transported to some of the most iconic and memorable moments in cinema history this season. Candlelight invites you to a sensational tribute to German superstar composer, Hans Zimmer. He is a multiple Academy Award and Grammy winner that is best known for his unique blend of electronic sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements.
You can catch some of his best work, including themes from Inception, Wonder Woman, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and many more. The iconic scores will be performed live by a talented string quartet, as they’re surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles.
Candlelight Special: Halloween
Immerse yourself in a Candlelight Halloween-themed special this spooky season. Inspired some of the most spine-chilling on-screen moments, this concert features takes on music from Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, The Exorcist, and more. Fall under the frightful spell of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and allow yourself to be transported to eerie worlds while sitting bathed in the glow of candlelight.
Candlelight: The Best of Zelda
With the recent release of Tears of the Kingdom this May, it seems like the perfect moment to celebrate some of the most memorable music from the popular game series, The Legend of Zelda. Ailsa Aitkenhead, a talented pianist, is coming to St Mary’s Cathedral to perform renditons of melodies featured in the likes of The Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, and more. Gamers won’t want to miss out on this unique experience illuminating a spectacular venue in Edinburgh.
Candlelight has wowed audiences worldwide and this season, it’s taking over some of Edinburgh’s charming and historic venues for a series of tributes to iconic film soundtracks and scores. They are ingrained in our brains and are synonymous with the films they accompany, but they also act as stand-alone works of art.
From Casablanca and The Exorcist to Wonder Woman and Purple Rain, these scores have achieved commercial success and paired with the flicker of countless candles, will make for an astonishing evening you won’t forget any time soon.