Candide
• Based off a story by Voltaire in the 1700s• Lillian Hellman adapted the story to make it an
operetta• Leonard Bernstein was to compose the music
for this opera, his music was more in a “musical theater style”
• WAS A BUST!
The Music Thrived
• Although the dark story of Candide by Voltaire was not popular as an operetta (too light for opera, too dark for musical theater) Bernstein’s musical compositions remained popular
Overture (according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
• a : the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work
• b : an orchestral concert piece written especially as a single movement in sonata form
Wind Band Transcription
• Originally an orchestral work – this version is transcribed by Clare Grundman for band
Overture to “Candide”
• The overture to this opera has different themes that reappear throughout the opera
• Overture is written in sonata form• Four main themes
Structure
• Section 1: Eb Major– Contains Opening, Themes 1, 2, 3, and Transition
• Section 2: Bb Major– Theme 4
• Section 3: Eb Major– Opening, Themes 1, 2, 3
• Section 4: Bb Major – Eb Major– Theme 4, Coda (Glitter and Be Gay, Opening, Themes
3, 4)
Theme 4
Clarinets and Saxophones begin this theme
The PULSE remains the same (between cut time and 3/2)
Pattern… What is it?