Bernstein

Leonard

Overture to ‘Candide’

EXPLORE

EXPLORE

Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered

in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759

EXPLORE

Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered

in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759

Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and

whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant

success

EXPLORE

Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered

in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759

Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and

whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant

success

It is Bernstein’s most popular orchestral work

EXPLORE

Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered

in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759

Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and

whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant

success

It is Bernstein’s most popular orchestral work

He was a conductor as well as a composer and

conducted some of the world’s greatest orchestras

EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Listen to Bernstein conducting the New York

Philharmonic on this recording of the Overture to

Candide

EXPERIENCE

Listen to Bernstein conducting the New York

Philharmonic on this recording of the Overture to

Candide

If we look closely at the beginning of the overture

we will see and hear two musical effects that

feature prominently throughout the piece:

SYNCOPATION

In this example you can see how Bernstein has moved the

strong beat of the bar in the bass line parts to the last beat of

the bar and tied the note across the bar line creating a very

jazzy feel. This sets the character for the whole piece:

Click here to listen:

HEMIOLA

Bernstein uses this rhythmic device a lot to make the music

sound as if it has changed from triple time to duple time. It

happens very quickly as in the example below so be careful not

to miss it!

Click here to listen:

You can see and hear how the syncopation from the beginning

continues throughout this section.

RESPOND

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s

call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the

structure.

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s

call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the

structure.

Which musical form is this structure?

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s

call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the

structure.

Which musical form is this structure?

Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in

character. Which two words could you use to describe

their characters?

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s

call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the

structure.

Which musical form is this structure?

Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in

character. Which two words could you use to describe

their characters?

Section B has two time signatures which alternate every

other bar – what are they?

RESPOND

What is an Overture?

The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s

call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the

structure.

Which musical form is this structure?

Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in

character. Which two words could you use to describe

their characters?

Section B has two time signatures which alternate every

other bar – what are they?

What words or phrases could you use to describe this

music and the picture it paints?