Hundreds of candles flicker, illuminating the mostly barren stage and the four musicians seated with their instruments ready. The quartet members lower their bows, meticulously placing them near the strings as they count softly to the beat. In a split second, the silence of the room is pierced by the elegant melody created. With each pull of their bow, the musicians captivate the audience further, until all sense of time is lost, and the music is all that matters.
There was a time before flashing lights and ear-drum-bursting music were the entertainment norm. A time when concerts were not always rated on the extravagance of the dances and visual displays. There was beauty in the simplicity of a musical score. The Candlelight Concert experience has grown a following as the musicians have encapsulated the entertainment of old, transporting each audience member to a time of musical appreciation.
The symphony is an oasis and the glowing candles are a golden archway to a romantic evening of kind light and soft music.
Creative artist, Jean Michel Basquiat, once said that art is how we decorate space but music is how we decorate time. And audiences of the Candlelight Concerts are in for a beautifully decorated evening.
Candlelight Concerts was established with ambitions to make cultural experiences more accessible to the general people. The Candlelight Concert series was launched in Madrid, Spain during 2019 by Fever. Since then, they have expanded to over 180 cities around the world, reaching millions of guests by exposing them to a variety of programs from the most well-known classical music to contemporary music executed through avid instrumental musicians.
The Candlelight experience was brought local; all performances have been held at The Grand Fresno. Built-in 1924 in Downtown Fresno, The Grand sets the scene for a vintage evening. The Grand was recently renovated, but it still encapsulates the unique architecture of old, which adds to the magic of the music. Ten stories up, the Fresno venue is simple, yet elegant, which helps keep focus on the music.
The attended event showcased a reinterpretation of Coldplay songs which were brought to life by the Tower Quartet, a Fresno-based string group. Their quartet is made up of three brilliant violinists and a gifted cellist. From the first draw of bow on string, the Tower Quartet captured the attention of the whole crowd. There was no intermission, which aids to the enjoyment of the music as each song flowed into the next like a swift river, beautiful and steady.
The music itself was undeniably well-written. Coldplay has been making music for more than 20 years, starting with their first EP in 1998 called “Safty.” Not long after, their debut album “Parachutes” was released in 2000. The Tower Quartet strategically opened the night with the beloved song “Clocks” from the 2002 “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” the album which won them a Grammy award for record of the year.
The tentative setlist
- “Clocks”
- “My Universe”
- “Speed of Sound”
- “Trouble”
- “Fix You”
- “Paradise”
- “Shiver”
- “Yellow”
- “Something Just Like This”
- “The Scientists”
- “A Sky Full of Stars”
The Candlelight Concert brand has consistently taken on larger-scale performers, who focus on the pageantry of their performance in live concerts like Taylor Swift and Coldplay, and turned them into a simplistic performance. However, it does not come off as underwhelming but rather unique, providing a new take on trending contemporary songs. It is the elegance that sets the Candlelight experience apart and makes visiting at least once a necessity.
Moving into the harvest and Christmas season, Candlelight Concerts are affordable and enjoyable events to attend. Upcoming performances include The Best of Joe Hisaishi (Nov. 23), A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings (Nov. 22 – Dec. 13), Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More (Nov. 23), A Tribute to Adele (Nov. 22), The Best of Hans Zimmer (Dec. 13), Christmas Carold on Strings (Dec. 20) or Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 20).
To purchase tickets, visit Fresno Candlelight Concert.
For more from The Feather read Theater Review: Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater presents ‘Secret Garden’ or Music Review: Rex Orange County’s new album spurs contemporary comeback.
