Faye-Ellen Silverman
Candlelight
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 16
Difficulty: High (professional)
Category: concertos
Publisher: Subito Music Corporation
Description: The idea of “Candlelight”, for piano and orchestra, originated as an expression of gratitude for those who helped or “lit a candle”. Gradually, though, this work evolved from other meanings of the title, since candlelight is a powerful universal symbol.
The piece opens with a candlelight procession (reminiscent of both political vigils and funerals), builds, then dissolves into darkness. Out of the darkness comes the light of a candle which, in Judaism, occurs on Friday nights to usher in the Sabbath – a day of joy. Thus exuberance follows, builds into dissonance, and disintegrates into emptiness. This is again followed by the lighting of candles, this time creating a brilliant flame encompassing the whole orchestra – a symbol of hope.